Phone Interviews

1. "Can you tell me exactly what I would be expected to do if I were hired for this position? "

This question helps to make sure you know exactly what you’re going to be doing and what is expected of you.  This is a great way to make sure there are no nasty surprises waiting for you when you start.  Having your job explicitly laid out for you not only allows you to know what you’re signing up to do, but can also help you decide if you are not only willing to do the work…but also able!

2. "Can you walk me through a typical day here at Company X?"

Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description.  I was hired for a job once where all the employees were expected to participate in a group physical activity before starting our day. 

Had I not asked about a typical day I would have been completely unprepared for my first day and unable to participate.  Not a great way to start out a new job!    

— THE REQUIREMENTS —

3. "If I were hired for this position, would I be going through any training prior to actually starting the work?"

This is a great question to ask…especially if you are concerned about your ability to do the job.  With the right training, an employee can quickly be brought up to company speed.  If no training is offered and you’re not sure you know enough to do the job…this would also be a great time to get clarification on that.

4. "How will I be trained?"

Again, you want to make sure you’re going into the job with your eyes wide open.  Training could be as simple as watching a video or reading a brochure or it could be a much more thorough and in-depth process.  The point is, you want to know before you go.

— THE EXPECTATIONS —

5. "What are the performance expectations for this position?  Will that expectation change the longer I am doing the job?"

This is a two part question…but knowledge is power and the more you have, the better off you are!  You want to make sure you and your employer establish early on what they expect from you performance wise and not just for the immediate future.  If this is a job you plan on sticking with for a period of time, make sure early on that you know what they want  you to do and if that will change over time.

6. "Is there an employee performance review process?  How often does that occur and can you walk me through a typical one?"

Again, a two part question but this information is absolutely critical…especially if the results of those reviews impacts your ability to advance either your career or your position within the company.

— THE COMPANY —

7. "Where do you see the company in five years?  10?"

This question is important because not only will it give you a sense of how stable your job might be, but the job you take today should always be in line with your long term career goals.  The last thing you want to do is take a job that won’t benefit you in the long run or help advance you towards the next step on your career path.  Finding out early on where the company is headed in the long term can help you plan your own trajectory.

8. "Can you tell me what the career paths are for this department and what sort of advancements I could work towards?"

This question can give you a solid idea of the mobility within the company.  Again, as we’ve said over and over again, the ultimate goal of any job you take is to help advance you on your career path and the last thing you want to do is take a dead end job with no hope of ever moving forward or growing.

— THE PEOPLE —

9. "Will I be working with a team and if I am, can you tell me a little about each of them?"

This question is a MUST!  The last thing you want to do is get stuck with a bunch of people you can’t stand.  Finding out early on if you’re going to be working with a good team or a horrible team can make your decision process an easy one.

10. "Can you tell me about my direct supervisor?  Is there anything I should know about working with them that will make my integration a smooth process?"

Another two-parter, but again, you’re showing that you’re serious about doing what it takes to not only get the job, but do the job right.  It’s also a great way to get a bit of information about your supervisor.  Like the rest of the people you’re going to work with…if it’s not a good match, then it might not be the job you want to take.

— THE ATMOSPHERE —

11. "Can you tell me what you love the most about working here?"

This is information you need to know!  The last thing you want to do is to work somewhere where you’re miserable and a good way to get a feel for that is to ask the hiring manager what it is that keeps them coming in day after day.

12. "How would you describe the working environment here?  Is work done in a collaborative style or are employees more independent?"

This is a question that is going to not only give you a good heads up on what you are potentially walking into as far as atmosphere goes, but also lets you know what the expectations are for your own performance.  Again, two-parter, but the information you’re going to get in return is pure gold.

— THE WAITING GAME —

13. "What are the next steps in the interview process?"

This is not only a question you can ask to show you’re interested in where the hiring process is going to go next, it’s also a great way for you to get some reassurance.  Nobody likes waiting to hear back from a company and getting nothing…at least this way you’re prepped for how the process will continue and what to expect…and when.

14. "Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful or questions I can answer?"

This isn’t so much a fact finding question as it is one last opportunity to let the interviewer make sure they’ve covered all their bases.  Brownie points!

Putting It All Together

So there you have it…not only do you now know why you should have good questions to ask during an interview, you also know how to ask them and what to ask them. 

Make sure you take the same amount of time to prep these as you spend on the rest of your interview prep and above all, be yourself, be genuine, be the PERFECT CANDIDATE…

Good luck!

Nail Job Interview Over Phone
Keys
Ace
Tips
Tips to Ace
Mastering
Mistake
Advice
Toughest