Telephone Interview Questions

Master 30 telephone interview questions covering communication skills, etiquette, and customer interaction scenarios.

Question 3 of 30

How many years experience do you have in your field?

Manager
Sales
Retail
Marketing
Admin
Teacher
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I have over ten years of experience in my field, with seven years in your specific industry. Although I have a lot of experience I am always learning new management techniques to that, I can better myself and improve the productivity of my team."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I have three years of sales experience in a traditional setting, and have been selling in some capacity since high school in a retail environment, and as a bartender while putting myself through University."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I have been in the sales field since I was in high school, so for half of my life. I have worked my way up through the ranks from a part-time sales associate in various departments to assistant manager, to department manager. I know that I have learned much of what I need to succeed in this role and I look forward to exceeding your expectations as I gain even more knowledge."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I have six years of marketing experience, from freelance to inbound marketing coordinator, and now as a content manager. Before that, I worked in sales for a CPG company, so I understand the business from varying perspectives. I look forward to continuing to learn about how your organization operates."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I have been working in an administrative position for approximately four years. I also spent a great deal of time helping my dad with his bookkeeping business as a teen. I was exposed to organizing files, making appointments, and double checking the details of his work before he passed it back to his clients."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I understand that you are looking for a teacher newer to their career. Although I have eight years' experience as a teacher, you will find that I am very open to learning new classroom techniques. I am a huge proponent of continued learning and pivoting my teaching style based on the needs of each classroom."

Christine Pasqueretta

Christine Pasqueretta is a human resource and recruitment professional with experience creating, developing, implementing, leading, and measuring HR impact initiatives.

The interviewer is trying to quickly gauge if you are qualified for this role, or not. If they have called you, chances are - you have something on your resume that they like. Most job postings will specify the number of years of experience that the employer is looking for but it's often a flexible number.

Let's say the interviewer is looking for five years experience in a specific field or skill, and you have 15 years. Avoid being labeled as overqualified by saying: "I have more than five years' experience in your direct field. My most recent position was similar to this role, and I was a top performer for the entire seven years of my employment there. I am eager to continue my path of success with your company."

Christine Pasqueretta

Christine Pasqueretta is a human resource and recruitment professional with experience creating, developing, implementing, leading, and measuring HR impact initiatives.

"I have more than five years' experience in your direct field. My most recent position was similar to this role, and I was a top performer for the entire seven years of my employment there. I am eager to continue my path of success with your company."

Anonymous Answer

I have five years of experience.

Kevin's Feedback

You are competing for this opportunity. Your interviewer is going to choose from those they've interviewed who really delivered the best interviews. Those who have gone above and beyond in their answers. When aiming to be one of them, anticipate any followup answers they may pose, and provide those answers as well. Try to convey your norm is above-and-beyond.

“I have five years of experience in my field. I excelled past my peers, often setting the standard of work, and always lead by example. There may be many others out there who have the same level of experience I do, but there are few who perform as well, with as much consistency, that I put into my work. I have outstanding time management skills, an unnatural attention to detail, and exemplary communication skills.”

Anonymous Answer

I have over seven years of experience. Although I have a lot of experience, I am willing to learn new opportunities.

Rachelle's Feedback

Rather than finishing your answer with a willingness to learn, try focusing on the expertise that you have already gained in these 7 years. How will you add to the employer vs. take from their resources? I have offered a starter, below.

"I have seven years of experience in the field of (name your industry). Through these seven years, I have gained strong skills in (list your areas of expertise). I am eager to take this experience and knowledge and apply it to this role by (what action steps will you take to make a difference for the hiring company?)."

Anonymous Answer

As a catering business owner for 6 years, I gained a lot of skills in customer-facing situations where I handle all customers' needs and assist in resolving issues. In my last role as a school lunch provider, I've always received feedback from parents and school administration about how I exceed their expectations in dealing with their concerns and resolving issues in a timely manner. I'm eager to bring the same level of commitment to your company.

Stephanie's Feedback

You do a great job of illustrating how your previous experiences will align with this role!

Anonymous Answer

I have 8 years of experience. During these years, I climbed the ladder from a junior developer up to the technical leader and scrum master, but I wasn't so attached to the title, so I played a senior developer again after that, and now I'm looking for an opportunity as a tech manager again.

Cindy's Feedback

Good. I like the detail that includes why your career has taken its current path.

Anonymous Answer

I have been a career technical writer for over fifteen years and in my most recent role, my performance reviews consistently received high scores.

Cindy's Feedback

Good! Can you provide more detail? Again, your aim is to demonstrate fit. So, get close to the details so there's no question that you're the right person for the job.

Anonymous Answer

I would like to rephrase this question to How is Your Previous Experience Relevant to this Role?

I read your job description and am confident that my 15 years of administrative experience have prepared me for the tasks and skills that seem to be the focus of this role. For example, I saw that this role requires someone with strong prioritization and organizational skills. Some of the main responsibilities mentioned were drafting business correspondence, arranging business meetings, and creating and allocating expense reports. In my role at _____, I provided support to 8 development officers for multiple projects and campaigns. I also was responsible for allocating officers' expenses as well as the departments. In my current role at _______, I schedule meetings and provide phone and administrative support to five branch offices. Those are a few examples of how I see my prior experience being a benefit in this role that you’re hiring for.

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! Your response clearly and specifically details how your work experience relates to the role - nice! You come across as confident and do a great job portraying yourself as someone who has the relevant skills, background, and qualities to excel in this position. Perfect!

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Telephone Interview Questions

How many years experience do you have in your field?

30Telephone Interview Questions & Answers

1.Tell me a little bit about yourself.

2.Why did you apply for this position?

3.How many years experience do you have in your field?

4.When would you be available to start?

5.What is your long-range career objective?

6.What are the top duties in your current position?

7.Why are you looking for a new position?

8.What do you know about this position?

9.What is the most important thing you are looking for in your next company?

10.Are you actively interviewing with other companies? Are you close to offer stage with anyone?

11.Our company is looking for a team member with flexible work hours. Are you able and willing to work overtime, as needed?

12.Would your current employer be willing to provide a reference for you?

13.I'm interested in knowing more about the type of work you are seeking, and your ideal workplace culture. What is your ideal position at this time?

14.Briefly walk me through your work history. Please include why you left each position listed on your resume.

15.What would you change about your current role, if you could?

16.You have a few gaps in your resume. Can you explain these?

17.Tell me more about your post-secondary education. Are you interested in expanding your education, or gaining any other certifications?

18.After reviewing our job description, are there any required skills listed that you feel you are lacking?

19.How do you feel this position would fit in with your long term career goals?

20.All of our candidates must pass a criminal record check and education verification. Is there any reason why you would not be comfortable with this?

21.Where did you find our job posting?

22.We are quickly moving into second interviews. What is your availability like over the next few days?

23.Tell me one valuable skill that you are currently working on.

24.What challenges are you looking for in a position?

25.Are you willing to travel?

26.Describe a typical work day in your current role.

27.Tell me one thing about yourself that is not on your resume.

28.When was the last time you helped out a coworker?

29.How does this position fit your long-term career plans?

30.What type of manager do you best work with?