Top 30 Most Common Phone Interview Questions to Ask Interviewer You Should Prepare For
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Introduction
Preparing for a phone interview isn't just about practicing your answers; it's equally crucial to prepare thoughtful phone interview questions to ask the interviewer. Asking insightful questions demonstrates genuine interest, shows you've done your research, and helps you assess if the role and company are the right fit for you. It turns the interview into a two-way conversation, allowing you to gather critical information beyond the job description. Mastering the art of asking compelling phone interview questions to ask interviewer can significantly impact the impression you leave and your overall success in the hiring process. This guide covers the top 30 essential phone interview questions to ask interviewer to help you stand out.
What Are Phone Interview Questions to Ask Interviewer?
Phone interview questions to ask interviewer are inquiries you, as the candidate, pose to the interviewer during the conversation. These questions go beyond clarifying logistical details. They delve into aspects like the role's responsibilities, team dynamics, company culture, challenges, opportunities for growth, and expectations for the position. Preparing strong phone interview questions to ask interviewer is a sign of professionalism and proactive engagement, indicating that you are seriously considering the opportunity and thinking critically about its potential.
Why Do Interviewers Ask Candidates to Ask Questions?
Interviewers dedicate time for your phone interview questions to ask interviewer for several key reasons. Firstly, it's an opportunity for them to gauge your level of interest and preparation. Lack of questions can signal disinterest or a lack of critical thinking. Secondly, your questions reveal what's important to you in a role and company culture, helping the interviewer assess your potential fit. Finally, it allows the interviewer to provide you with necessary context and information, ensuring transparency and helping you make an informed decision if an offer is extended. Always have several phone interview questions to ask interviewer ready.
Can you describe the typical day or week in this role?
What are the biggest challenges someone in this position would face?
How would you describe the company culture?
What opportunities for professional development or training are available?
How does the team measure success for this role?
What are the next steps in the interview process?
Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?
How has this role evolved over time?
What technology or tools are used regularly in this position?
What is the company's approach to remote work or flexible schedules?
What are the company's goals for the next year, and how does this role contribute?
How does the company support work-life balance?
What kind of onboarding or training is provided?
What are the key priorities for this role in the first 3-6 months?
How does the company encourage innovation or new ideas?
What are the opportunities for advancement within the company?
How does feedback and performance review work here?
Can you share more about why you enjoy working here?
What are the company's values, and how are they lived out?
How does the company handle challenging market conditions?
What cross-functional collaboration can I expect?
What resources are available to help someone succeed in this role?
How is success recognized and celebrated within the team or company?
What is the typical career path for someone in this role?
What does the company do to promote diversity and inclusion?
Are there any potential changes or developments in the role I should be aware of?
How does the team handle disagreements or differing opinions?
What's your favorite part about working on this team?
Is there anything about my background that gives you pause?
What haven't we discussed that's important for this role?
Preview List of Phone Interview Questions to Ask Interviewer:
Can you describe the typical day or week in this role?
Why Ask This:
This question helps you understand the practical realities of the job and whether the daily tasks align with your expectations and preferences. It provides a realistic preview. Asking this is one of the essential phone interview questions to ask interviewer.
How To Ask:
Phrase it openly to encourage a detailed response. "Could you walk me through what a typical day or week looks like for someone in this [Job Title] position?"
Example:
"Could you describe the typical day or week for a Marketing Coordinator here? I'm curious about the balance between individual work and team collaboration."
What are the biggest challenges someone in this position would face?
Why Ask This:
Understanding challenges shows you're realistic and proactive. It helps you assess if you have the skills to overcome potential obstacles and if the company provides adequate support.
How To Ask:
Ask directly about difficulties or hurdles. "What would you say are the biggest challenges or hurdles someone stepping into this role might encounter?"
Example:
"Based on your experience, what are the biggest challenges someone in this Senior Analyst role typically faces, especially in the first few months?"
How would you describe the company culture?
Why Ask This:
Culture fit is crucial for job satisfaction. This question provides insight into the work environment, values, and how employees interact. It's a vital part of your phone interview questions to ask interviewer list.
How To Ask:
Ask for their perspective on the overall environment. "How would you personally describe the culture here at [Company Name]?"
Example:
"Company culture is important to me. How would you describe the culture here and what makes it unique?"
What opportunities for professional development or training are available?
Why Ask This:
This question indicates your desire to grow and learn. It helps you understand if the company invests in its employees' skills and career progression.
How To Ask:
Inquire about learning resources or programs. "Are there opportunities for professional development, training, or continued learning available for employees in this role?"
Example:
"I'm always looking to improve my skills. What kind of opportunities exist here for professional development or ongoing training related to this role?"
How does the team measure success for this role?
Why Ask This:
Knowing how success is measured clarifies expectations and provides concrete goals. It helps you understand the key performance indicators (KPIs) and priorities.
How To Ask:
Ask about performance metrics or goals. "How is success typically measured for someone in this [Job Title] role?"
Example:
"How is success evaluated for someone in the role of Project Manager? What specific metrics or outcomes are most important?"
What are the next steps in the interview process?
Why Ask This:
This is a logistical but essential question. It clarifies timelines and what to expect next, managing your expectations. It's a standard but necessary one of the phone interview questions to ask interviewer.
How To Ask:
Simply ask about the subsequent stages. "Could you please outline the next steps in the interview process?"
Example:
"Thank you for all the information. What are the next steps in the interview process, and when can I expect to hear back?"
Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?
Why Ask This:
Understanding team structure and dynamics is important. It gives you insight into potential colleagues and collaboration styles.
How To Ask:
Ask about the specific team structure and members. "Could you tell me a bit about the team I would be joining?"
Example:
"I'm curious about the team structure. Can you tell me about the size of the team, the different roles, and who I'd be reporting to?"
How has this role evolved over time?
Why Ask This:
This question provides historical context and potential future direction for the position. It shows your interest in the longevity and development of the role.
How To Ask:
Inquire about changes or growth in the position. "Has this role evolved significantly since it was created? If so, how?"
Example:
"How has this specific role of Customer Success Manager evolved since it was established within the company?"
What technology or tools are used regularly in this position?
Why Ask This:
Understanding the tech stack helps you gauge if your skills align and if you'll need to learn new systems.
How To Ask:
Ask about the specific software or platforms. "What key technologies or tools are used on a day-to-day basis in this role?"
Example:
"What CRM software, project management tools, or other key technologies would I be using regularly in this position?"
What is the company's approach to remote work or flexible schedules?
Why Ask This:
This addresses important lifestyle considerations and reveals company flexibility.
How To Ask:
Ask about policies regarding work location or hours. "What is the company's philosophy or policy regarding remote work or offering flexible schedules?"
Example:
"Given the current landscape, I'm interested in understanding the company's approach to remote work or if there's flexibility in scheduling for this role."
What are the company's goals for the next year, and how does this role contribute?
Why Ask This:
This demonstrates your strategic thinking and interest in the company's broader mission. It connects the role's responsibilities to larger objectives.
How To Ask:
Ask about upcoming goals and the role's impact. "What are some of the key goals or initiatives the company is focused on for the next year, and how does this role fit into achieving them?"
Example:
"What are the company's main objectives for the coming year, particularly in the [Relevant Department] area, and how would the [Job Title] role contribute to meeting those?"
How does the company support work-life balance?
Why Ask This:
This is a crucial question for your well-being and helps assess if the company culture promotes a healthy equilibrium.
How To Ask:
Ask about policies or cultural norms around personal time. "How does the company generally support or encourage employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance?"
Example:
"Work-life balance is important to me. What initiatives or cultural norms does [Company Name] have in place to support it?"
What kind of onboarding or training is provided?
Why Ask This:
Understanding the onboarding process gives you insight into how the company supports new hires and sets them up for success.
How To Ask:
Inquire about the initial training period. "What kind of onboarding process or initial training is typically provided for someone new in this position?"
Example:
"Can you tell me about the onboarding and training process for this role? What does the typical first week or month look like?"
What are the key priorities for this role in the first 3-6 months?
Why Ask This:
This question helps you understand the immediate expectations and performance benchmarks. It shows you're thinking about getting started effectively.
How To Ask:
Ask about early-stage goals. "What would be the key priorities or goals for someone in this role during their first three to six months?"
Example:
"If I were to step into this position, what would be the key priorities and what would success look like in the first 3-6 months?"
How does the company encourage innovation or new ideas?
Why Ask This:
This question is particularly relevant if you value creativity and contributing to improvements. It reveals the company's openness to new approaches.
How To Ask:
Ask about mechanisms for generating and implementing new ideas. "How does [Company Name] encourage or facilitate innovation and the sharing of new ideas among employees?"
Example:
"I'm interested in companies that value innovation. How does [Company Name] foster a culture where employees are encouraged to bring forward new ideas?"
What are the opportunities for advancement within the company?
Why Ask This:
This shows your ambition and long-term interest in staying with the company. It helps you understand potential career paths.
How To Ask:
Inquire about career progression. "What do opportunities for growth or advancement typically look like for someone in this department or role?"
Example:
"What are the typical career paths or opportunities for advancement for someone starting in this [Job Title] role within the company?"
How does feedback and performance review work here?
Why Ask This:
Understanding the performance management process is important for professional growth and clarity on expectations.
How To Ask:
Ask about the frequency and format of reviews. "Could you describe the process for performance reviews and how feedback is typically given here?"
Example:
"How often are performance reviews conducted, and what is the process like for receiving feedback and discussing career goals?"
Can you share more about why you enjoy working here?
Why Ask This:
This humanizes the conversation and can provide authentic insights into employee satisfaction and the company culture from a personal perspective.
How To Ask:
Directly ask about their personal experience. "On a more personal note, what do you enjoy most about working here at [Company Name]?"
Example:
"You've been here for [Number] years, which is great. What is it about working at [Company Name] that you find most rewarding or enjoyable?"
What are the company's values, and how are they lived out?
Why Ask This:
Company values impact the work environment and decision-making. This question helps you assess if your personal values align.
How To Ask:
Ask about stated values and their practical application. "What are the core values of [Company Name], and how do you see those values reflected in the day-to-day work or company decisions?"
Example:
"I've read about the company's stated values, but I'm curious: how are those values really lived out in the daily work environment and interactions?"
How does the company handle challenging market conditions?
Why Ask This:
This provides insight into the company's stability, adaptability, and leadership during difficult times.
How To Ask:
Ask about past or hypothetical challenges. "How has the company navigated challenging market conditions in the past, and how does it prepare for potential future shifts?"
Example:
"In a dynamic market, how does [Company Name] strategically approach and navigate challenging market conditions?"
What cross-functional collaboration can I expect?
Why Ask This:
Understanding interaction with other departments is key for roles that require working across teams. It highlights the collaborative nature of the job.
How To Ask:
Inquire about interaction with other teams. "What kind of cross-functional collaboration is typically involved in this role, and which departments would I work with most closely?"
Example:
"How much collaboration is there between the [Your Department] team and other departments like [Mention relevant departments]? What does that cross-functional work look like?"
What resources are available to help someone succeed in this role?
Why Ask This:
This question helps you understand the support system in place, such as tools, budget, administrative support, or mentorship.
How To Ask:
Ask about available support mechanisms. "What resources, tools, or support systems are in place to help someone succeed and excel in this position?"
Example:
"Beyond the core tools, what resources are available to ensure someone in this role has everything they need to be successful?"
How is success recognized and celebrated within the team or company?
Why Ask This:
This question provides insight into the company culture around recognition and appreciation, which can impact morale and motivation.
How To Ask:
Ask about methods of acknowledgment. "How does the team or company recognize and celebrate achievements and successes?"
Example:
"What are some ways the company or team acknowledges successes and celebrates achievements, both big and small?"
What is the typical career path for someone in this role?
Why Ask This:
Similar to opportunities for advancement, this question seeks specific examples of how people have grown from this particular role within the company.
How To Ask:
Ask for examples of progression. "Could you share what a typical career path might look like for someone starting in this [Job Title] position?"
Example:
"Thinking about past employees in this role, what has been a typical career progression for them within [Company Name]?"
What does the company do to promote diversity and inclusion?
Why Ask This:
This question shows your commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace and prompts the interviewer to share the company's efforts in this area.
How To Ask:
Ask about initiatives or programs. "What initiatives or practices does [Company Name] have in place to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace?"
Example:
"I value diversity and inclusion. What steps or programs does the company actively pursue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment?"
Are there any potential changes or developments in the role I should be aware of?
Why Ask This:
This proactive question shows your adaptability and helps uncover any upcoming shifts in responsibility or focus for the role.
How To Ask:
Inquire about future plans for the position. "Are there any anticipated changes or planned developments for this role in the near future that I should be aware of?"
Example:
"Thinking ahead, are there any expected changes or future plans for the responsibilities or focus of this [Job Title] role?"
How does the team handle disagreements or differing opinions?
Why Ask This:
This question provides insight into team communication, conflict resolution, and the psychological safety within the team.
How To Ask:
Ask about their approach to resolving conflicts. "How does the team typically handle disagreements or situations where team members have differing opinions?"
Example:
"Collaboration is key, but disagreements happen. How does the team here navigate differing opinions and ensure productive outcomes?"
What's your favorite part about working on this team?
Why Ask This:
This question elicits a personal perspective and can reveal positive aspects of the team dynamics or specific projects.
How To Ask:
Ask the interviewer directly about their personal highlight. "As someone on this team, what is your favorite aspect or the most rewarding part of working together?"
Example:
"What do you personally find most rewarding or enjoyable about working specifically with this team?"
Is there anything about my background that gives you pause?
Why Ask This:
This bold question can uncover potential concerns the interviewer has and gives you a chance to address them directly, demonstrating confidence and transparency.
How To Ask:
Pose it directly towards the end. "Based on our conversation today and my background, is there anything that gives you pause about my fit for this role?"
Example:
"Before we wrap up, is there anything about my experience or qualifications that gives you any hesitation regarding my suitability for this position?"
What haven't we discussed that's important for this role?
Why Ask This:
This open-ended question gives the interviewer an opportunity to share any crucial information that hasn't come up yet and shows your thoroughness.
How To Ask:
Use it as a closing question. "To ensure I have a complete understanding, is there anything important about this role, the team, or the company that we haven't discussed yet?"
Example:
"Is there any other key piece of information about the role or working here that you think is important for me to know that we haven't covered?"
Other Tips for Asking Phone Interview Questions to Ask Interviewer
Come prepared with 5-7 relevant phone interview questions to ask interviewer, even if you don't ask all of them. Tailor your phone interview questions to ask interviewer to the specific role, company, and conversation. Listen actively to the interviewer's responses and ask follow-up questions when appropriate – this shows engagement. Avoid asking questions whose answers are easily found on the company website or job description, as this suggests a lack of research. Don't ask about salary or benefits in the initial phone screen unless the interviewer brings it up first. Use your phone interview questions to ask interviewer as an opportunity to learn and assess, not just to impress. Asking good questions is as important as giving good answers. It shows you're evaluating the opportunity seriously. "The questions you ask are just as important as the answers you give," notes career expert Jane Smith. Make sure your phone interview questions to ask interviewer are thoughtful and relevant. Consider using resources like https://vervecopilot.com for additional career guidance and interview preparation strategies.
FAQs about Phone Interview Questions to Ask Interviewer
Q: How many phone interview questions to ask interviewer should I prepare?
A: Prepare at least 5-7, but aim to ask 2-4 depending on the time available.
Q: When should I ask my phone interview questions to ask interviewer?
A: Typically, the interviewer will dedicate time at the end of the conversation for your questions.
Q: Should I ask about salary during a phone screen?
A: Generally, no, unless the interviewer specifically brings it up. Save compensation questions for later rounds.
Q: What if my questions are answered during the interview?
A: It's great if they cover your points! Simply say, "You actually answered a few of the questions I had during our discussion." Then, pivot to any remaining questions you have.
Q: Can I write down my phone interview questions to ask interviewer?
A: Absolutely. Have your list of phone interview questions to ask interviewer visible during the call. It's encouraged and shows preparation.
Q: Are there any questions I should avoid asking?
A: Avoid questions easily found online (like "What does your company do?") or questions that sound self-serving (like asking about vacation time in the first call). Stick to insightful phone interview questions to ask interviewer.
