Phone Screen Interview: How to Prepare for the Call
A phone screen is short, but it often decides whether you get a real interview. Here is how to prepare from the job ad and the CV you actually sent, how to handle the call itself, and what to do once you hang up.
What a phone screen is for
A phone interview is usually the first live contact after you apply. The employer wants to hear your enthusiasm for the company and the role, so the National Careers Service in England advises preparing for it as you would for a face-to-face interview[1]. You are being judged on your voice, your answers and how clear you are, without any body language to help you.
The practical consequence is simple: the call checks your application against the job. The better your CV matches the ad, and the better you know what you wrote in it, the easier the call.
Before the call: start from the job ad and your CV
The National Careers Service lists the basics to note down when you are invited: the date and time, the name of the person who will call, the company, and the role you applied for, which matters if you have several interviews lined up. It also tells you to check that the company has the right number to reach you on the day[1].
Then prepare from the documents, not from memory:
- Re-read the job description and pick out the requirements that matter most.
- Re-read the CV or application form you actually sent. If you tailor your CV for each job, keep that exact version in front of you: the call is about it.
- Choose one example per requirement and structure it with the STAR method (situation, task, action, result). The National Careers Service suggests making prompt cards to have in front of you[1].
- Prepare two or three questions to ask the interviewer, such as what training or development opportunities exist or what an average day looks like[1].
- Practise out loud. A mock phone interview can calm nerves and improve performance. If nobody can help, record yourself and check that your voice is clear, your pace is not too fast and you sound keen and engaged[1].
Know your answers on pay and start date
Phone screens often include practical questions about availability and pay. Decide in advance on a realistic range and on the date you could actually start, taking any notice period into account. Our guide on salary expectations explains how to build that range.
On the day: set up the call
The National Careers Service gives a short checklist for the day[1]:
- Have a pen and paper or a laptop for notes, your CV and application form, and your prompt cards.
- Charge your phone, and switch off your mobile if you are using a landline.
- Choose a quiet place with no distractions, and ask the people you live with to stay quiet.
- Be ready 10 minutes before the interview time to settle yourself, and take deep breaths to stay calm.
Smiling while you talk makes you sound friendlier even though the interviewer cannot see you, and standing up on the call may boost your confidence[1].
During the call
Be polite and professional, and sound engaged and interested. Leave a small gap after each question before you answer, so that you do not talk over the interviewer. If the line is bad or you are unsure what you are being asked, say so and ask for the question to be repeated[1].
Keep your answers short and anchored in a concrete example from your CV. If the interviewer asks about money or availability, give your range and your date clearly. Before the call ends, it is fine to ask when you can expect to hear the outcome[1].
After the call: where most candidates lose time
The call does not end the work: the next few minutes are the most useful. The National Careers Service suggests thanking the employer for their time, asking when you will hear back if you have not already, and reflecting on what you learned: pick out two or three things that went well and anything to improve next time[1].
In practice:
- Write down the recruiter's name, the questions asked, the next step announced and the expected delay.
- Do what you promised (a document, a time slot) quickly.
- Send a short thank-you message that confirms your interest, if you are still interested.
- Record the next date in your application tracker, so that you can follow up at the right moment if nobody comes back to you. Our guide on following up gives typical timing and templates.
When several applications are running at once
If you apply widely, calls start to blur together: which company was this, and which version of my CV did they receive? Keep the ad, the CV you sent and your notes for each application in one place. When the phone rings you can find all three in seconds. Our guide on interview preparation continues the work for the later rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pick up an unknown number straight away?
Only if you can talk properly. If it is a bad moment, politely ask for another time, then call back as agreed.
Can I have notes in front of me during a phone interview?
Yes, the interviewer cannot see them. Keep key words and your examples, not a script to read out.
Is it fine to ask about the next steps at the end?
Yes. The National Careers Service says it is fine to ask when you can expect to hear the outcome.
What if the call went badly?
Write down what threw you, prepare a better answer for next time and still send a thank-you message if you want the job.