Interview FAQs: Phone Screens, Video Calls and Follow-Ups
What to bring, when to arrive and how to answer common questions, plus phone screens, video and panel interviews and thank-you emails.
Getting through a job interview, from what to bring, when to arrive and how to answer "Tell me about yourself" to phone screens, video and panel interviews, thank-you emails and following up. Resume questions are in our Resume & Career FAQs.
Before, during and after the interview
What should I bring to a job interview?
The essentials to bring to an interview are several printed copies of your resume, a notepad and pen, your questions, a list of references, your ID and anything the employer asked for. Check the invitation beforehand for other instructions.
How do I answer "Tell me about yourself"?
Give a short professional story in three parts (present, past and future): where you are now, the experience and strengths that got you here, and why this job is the logical next step. Keep it to your work, and end on the role.
What questions should I ask an interviewer?
Good questions to ask cover the role's priorities, how success is measured, the team, the biggest challenges and the next steps in the process. Choose ones that help you judge the job and show you've prepared.
How should I answer behavioral interview questions?
Answer with one specific example using the STAR method: the situation, your task, the action you took and the result. Spend most of the answer on what you did, and choose a story that fits the skill being asked about.
How early should I arrive for an interview?
For an in-person interview, arrive a little early so you have time to find the place and check in, without crowding the interviewer's schedule. For a video interview, join early enough to test your audio, video and the meeting link.
How do I reschedule or decline a job interview?
Reply as soon as you know, through the same channel the invitation came from, and keep it short and polite. To reschedule, thank them, say the time no longer works and offer two or three specific alternatives. To decline, thank them and say you've decided not to move forward. You don't need to give a detailed reason, and a courteous note keeps the door open if you apply there again.
What is a phone screen, and how do I prepare for one?
A phone screen is a short first call, often with a recruiter, that checks whether your background, availability and pay expectations fit the role before a longer interview. To prepare, reread the job posting, keep your resume in front of you and take the call somewhere quiet with good signal. Have a brief summary ready of why you fit the job.
How do I prepare for a video interview?
Do a test run the day before with the app and the meeting link, then set up your space: camera at eye level, a window or lamp in front of you, and a quiet spot with a plain background. Keep the interviewer's phone number or email handy in case the connection drops. Dress as you would for an in-person interview with the same employer; our guide covers dressing for a video interview.
What is a panel interview, and how do I handle one?
A panel interview is one meeting with several interviewers at once, often the hiring manager plus people from teams you'd work with. It's different from a group interview, where several candidates are interviewed together. Ask beforehand who will be on the panel so you can look up their roles. When you answer, speak to the person who asked, but make eye contact with the others too, and note each name so you can thank everyone afterward.
Can I bring notes to a job interview?
Yes, and printed questions and talking points are on our list of what to bring. Keep your notes to one page and glance at them rather than reading from them. When you take them out, mention that you jotted down a few questions to ask.
Should I send a thank-you email after an interview?
Yes. Send a short email the same day or the next morning, while the conversation is fresh. Thank the interviewer for their time, mention one specific thing you discussed and add a sentence on why you'd be a good fit. If several people interviewed you, write to each one separately with a different detail.
When should I follow up after an interview?
Follow up once the date they gave you for a decision has passed, or about a week after the interview if they didn't give one. Send a short email to the recruiter or hiring manager that restates your interest and asks whether there's an update on timing. If there's still no reply a week later, one final check-in is reasonable. After that, put your energy into your other applications.
Related guides
- 10 Professional Items To Bring to an Interview
- What To Wear to an Interview: A Guide to Professional Attire
- Preparing for a Teacher Interview: 6 Tips to Stand Out
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