- Tell me about yourself. …
- Why would I hire you? …
- What are you strengths. …
- What are your weaknesses? …
- What is the most important thing to you in a job? …
- What are you career goals? …
- Do you have any questions for me? …
- Why did you leave your last job?
Due to scheduling constraints or convenience, many recruiters and hiring managers opt to conduct initial interviews over the phone. This provides candidates with an opportunity to share information about their skills and experience without some of the added stress of a face-to-face interview. One benefit of having a phone interview is the opportunity to use a cheat sheet to help you provide focused and thorough answers. In this article, we discuss what a phone interview is, why employers use phone interviews and how to create a cheat sheet for an interview.
Video Interview Notes / Cheat Sheet
What is a phone interview?
A phone interview is a job or admissions interview that takes place over the phone. Phone interviews typically follow a similar structure as traditional in-person interviews. For example, the interviewer is likely to schedule a time and date for the interview. The interview may take place as a one-on-one call, or as a conference call with multiple interviewers. During the meeting, expect the interviewer to ask you a variety of questions about your skills, personal qualities, job qualifications and industry experience.
Phone interviews can offer candidates several benefits, such as:
Read more: 25 Phone Interview Tips To Get You to the Next Round (With Video)
Why do employers use phone interviews?
Employers use phone interviews for several reasons, including:
How to create a cheat sheet for an interview
When you have a phone interview, you should make sure to prepare ahead of time, just like you would for a face-to-face interview. Because you are in your own space, you can use a cheat sheet to help you organize your thoughts and prompt your responses. Here are the steps you can use to create an interview cheat sheet:
Why Does This Job Excite You?
You may not be asked this question in exactly these words, but at some point you’ll have the chance to talk about why you want the job. So think it through: Why did you apply? What in the description makes you think, “Wow, I hope I get this!”? What does this job have that your current job doesn’t and that you want?
Focus on the specific role and fill in two or three reasons you want this job in particular. For example, maybe you’re looking for a job with more client interaction or maybe you’re passionate about the industry this company is in. Articulating your reasoning here will also help you talk about why you’re leaving your current role if asked, since it’s best to keep your answer positive and put an emphasis on what you’re looking for in the future rather than what you didn’t like about the past.
Regardless, steer clear of saying you’re excited about a position for the pay. It’s unspoken that you’d be getting money to do the job. But every job pays. Your interviewer wants to know why you want this one. If you have a logistical reason for applying, such as having to relocate to a different city with a partner, it’s fine to bring that up, but make sure it’s not the first or only thing you mention.
Pro tip: In addition to asking what drew you to this role, the interviewer might want to know how you found it in the first place. Be straightforward. Even if you didn’t find out about the opening through your network or another interesting avenue, the company might just be interested in how quality applicants are discovering their postings.
“What Is Your Biggest Strength?”
As tempting as it may be to list every buzzword possible, interviewers will have heard them all. Leave a lasting impression with an anecdotal response that demonstrates the skills they’re looking for in a candidate. For example: “I have been known to work well under a tight schedule. In my current role…” You can also use situations from different points in your career.
Keep in mind the tips from the prompt above and use the S.T.A.R Method to structure your response:
If you’re invited to an interview, whether by phone or in person, it means your resume has already convinced the hiring manager that you meet the baseline requirements for the job. This question is an opportunity for you to “wow” them by demonstrating the kind of value you can bring to their organization. Career changers can leverage specific examples to highlight transferable skills. Use the S.T.A.R. Method for any behavioral questions, also known as “Tell Me of a Time” questions. Typical behavioral questions seek examples of leadership, problem-solving, or growth.
“Quiet Quit” Is Not The Right Term
First of all, its not the right term. If you really want to quiet quit, its very derogatory, its very negative, and it implies youre phoning it in. And heres my concern with that. If thats the route you want to go and you want to outwardly give the impression that youre phoning it in, you cant. Because youre a service provider to your employer. They pay you for a service. And if theyre in a pinch and they need that service and youre capable of fulfilling that business need while having a checked-out attitude, then everything works fine.
FAQ
Is it OK to have a cheat sheet in an interview?
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief? …
- How did you hear about this position? …
- What type of work environment do you prefer? …
- How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? …
- Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
What is the star technique in interviewing?
- Write down your interviewer’s name. …
- Include several notes about the company. …
- Write a brief statement about yourself. …
- Prepare for common interview questions. …
- Draft notes about your professional experiences. …
- Prepare a desired salary range. …
- List questions to ask the interviewer.
