Performing Screening Calls

More screening

Those that make the initial cut should move on to screening calls. Again, depending on the size of your company, the recruitment team may also do these. This is the second of the screening stages that are meant to form an initial connection with the candidate and also ask any questions that arose during the resume-sifting stage.

It’s good to use video-conferencing software such as Zoom or Skype to make these calls so that you can both see and hear each other. Body language makes communication better. Here’s a basic sequence of themes and questions to run through during the phone screen. After you’re on the call:

• Introduce yourself and tell them how long the call is going to take. Usually, fifteen to thirty minutes is enough.
• Tell them some more about the company and the role. What sort of work are you doing, and where do they fit in?
• Figure out any administrative items, such as whether they need to relocate, whether they need a visa, or any time-related issues, like the length of their notice period if they are currently employed and when they could start.
• Ask them about their last role and what sort of responsibilities they had.
• Ask why they decided to apply for this role, and what specifically is most interesting to them about it.
• Ask them what their salary expectations are.
• Ask them if they have any questions for you at this stage.
• Then, conclude by telling them what happens next.