My Interviews

Common Questions in Telephone Interviews

Listed below are some of the most common questions you may be asked during a telephone interview, along with suggested ways of handling such questions.

Tell me a little about your last job and what some of your accomplishments and responsibilities were?
In most cases, the interviewer already has a general idea of your previous responsibilities and accomplishments. Otherwise s/he would not be calling you. Usually this question is asked in order to make you a little more comfortable and to see how well you communicate. Here is your opportunity to shine. You will be prepared for this one. Speak slowly and clearly. Your answer should take only about 2 or 3 minutes, maybe less. Learn to pause occasionally during your responses to see if the interviewer would like to ask another question. Remember, s/he will probably be taking notes, so don't talk too quickly.

Why are you interested in making a job change?
Sometimes this may be a difficult question to answer. First, be sure you clearly know and understand why your separation has occurred. It is also a good idea to know what your current/past employer will say when asked this question. The interviewer is trying to determine if there are any negatives here. Never lie during an interview, but learn to present things in a positive way. Always begin the answer to this question with a positive statement about your company or your past position. If you were caught in a layoff, a restructuring, or corporate downsizing, say so. Then follow up with a logical explanation. For example:

• "Our entire department was outsourced," or
• "There were several other people downsized at the same time due to a corporate re-structuring", or
• "Sales or profits were down and we had a 10% across the board reduction in headcount. Being one of the last hired, I was one of the first to go. Everyone was either transferred or laid off", or
• "The company asked for several volunteers to be downsized. The severance, the outplacement, and the overall package was so attractive, I decided to take advantage of it and look for a new opportunity. I felt I was ready for a new challenge."

You get the idea. Take whatever you have to work with and turn it into something positive. Avoid saying things such as:

• "Well, they let me go. They did not give me a reason. My boss just called me into his office and said that today was my last day," or
• "I was told my production was down, and I was asked to leave," or
• "My boss and I did not see eye-to-eye on how the department should be managed, so I resigned," or
• "I was given additional duties and had to work more hours for less pay, so I just quit," or
• "I had a misunderstanding with my boss. He wanted me to do some things that were impossible to do."

Hopefully, you can see the negative implications these responses suggest. Think through your answer to this important question just discussed. You will be asked it for sure. Write down your answer on a piece of paper and keep it with your notes. Consider asking your previous manager, or maybe the Human Resources Department, to assist you with your response.

What kind of job are you looking for?
Here the interviewer is trying to see if your goals and expectations match the job opening. Be honest, but you may want to tailor your response to the actual job for which you are applying.

How big was your department or how many people did you have reporting to you?
Be sure to have your facts together. Know how many employees worked for your department, the approximate sales volume, how many locations there were, and any other specific information about your job. For example, if you were in Purchasing, know how much material you purchased annually, compile a list of all the materials you purchased, the number of stock keeping units (SKU's), and the vendors from which you purchased and where they were located.

Be able to express the action you took which resulted in your improving in your job. Usually these types of questions will be asked when the interviewer begins to ask about your facility and or your department.

What was your last salary or what kind of salary are you looking for?
Again, the interviewer is trying to determine if you are going to be a match for this particular opening. Be honest. If you are asked what is or was your compensation, you should give them your base annual salary. Then, if you were eligible for bonuses, incentives, or commission, tell the interviewer what your average bonus has been over the past 2 or 3 years.

If, on the other hand, you are asked what kind of salary you are expecting, it is perfectly acceptable to provide the interviewer a range. For example, you may want to preface any salary question with something like "You know money is important. I have to support my family and plan for my future, but I am really looking for a good opportunity with a growth company. If I can find that, then I am confident that I will eventually be comfortable with the money. Generally, depending on the entire package and the location, I would be interested in an opportunity in the $30,000-$45,000 range." In other words, here you are trying to convey two messages.

1. Money is not the most important aspect of the job.
2. You are somewhat flexible in this area.

At this point, your goal is to continue the interview process. Don't rule yourself out because your salary demands are either too high or too rigid. If you determine later in the process, maybe after a personal interview, that the salary is going to be too low for you to consider, you can always stop the process or decline an offer.

You may actually discover that the offer, although 10% less than what you were earning before, is with a position located in a low cost-of-living area. You may discover that the cost of living is 13% less than in your current community, thereby actually providing you with a 3% raise.

How do you feel about relocation?
Usually you are either interested in living in another area or you are not. However, we urge you to keep an open mind at this point in your job search, particularly if you have just started. Because you never know how long it is going to take you to find a job or exactly how marketable your skills are, keep your relocation requirements as broad as you possibly can. Realize that you can always say "no" if you receive a job offer that does not measure up to your relocation or salary requirements. Please keep in mind that very few positions with Getronics offer relocation assistance.

What are your strengths, the things you do best?
Draw from past performance appraisals, the comments people made to you, and the type of work you enjoy. This would be a good time to review mentally the results of your self-evaluation. Develop a list and keep it in your file by the telephone. You may want to ask your friends or co-workers to give you their opinions. Your comments should be job-related, specific and, if possible, quantifiable. At his point, you may be asked about your management style. Be able to articulate your style. Your thoughts about how you manage others and how you like to be managed will help you develop a good response.

back to Interview Best Practices