Congratulations! You’ve made it past the first hurdle in your job search: your resume and cover letter have caught the attention of a potential employer. This is an achievement worth celebrating! It means that your qualifications and experience have impressed the company enough to take the next step—getting to know you beyond just what’s on paper.
That next step is the prescreening interview. While it may seem like a small or informal step in the hiring process, it’s actually a critical opportunity to make a great first impression. Employers use prescreening interviews to determine whether you’re a suitable candidate before bringing you in for a formal interview. So, don’t take it lightly—acing this stage can be the stepping stone to landing your dream job.
What is a Prescreening Interview?
A prescreening interview is typically a phone interview, but it can also take the form of an online questionnaire or even a video call. This is a preliminary conversation between you and a recruiter or hiring manager, where they assess whether you meet the basic qualifications for the role.
The purpose of the prescreening interview is to confirm key details from your resume and gain a better understanding of your experience, background, and overall fit for the company.
During this interview, the recruiter might ask about your work history, skills, availability, salary expectations, and even your reasons for applying to the role. It’s a quick but crucial step to help employers narrow down their pool of candidates before scheduling full-length, in-person interviews.
What is the Purpose of a Prescreening Interview?
For employers, prescreening interviews serve several purposes:
- Looking Beyond the Resume: A resume only tells part of your story. Employers use prescreening interviews to hear how you communicate, how you express enthusiasm, and whether your personality aligns with their company culture.
- Increase Hiring Efficiency: Instead of investing time in bringing every applicant in for an in-depth interview, recruiters use this step to filter candidates early on.
- Qualification Checks: Employers want to ensure that selected candidates truly meet the job requirements, including necessary experience, skills, and certifications.
- Logistical Fit: This stage helps determine whether candidates can meet job demands such as travel, weekend work, remote or in-person requirements, and salary expectations.
- Personality & Culture Fit: Employers assess whether you align with their team dynamics, values, and work environment. Even if you’re qualified, they want to ensure that you’re a good long-term match for the company.
If you perform well in the prescreening interview, you’ll be invited to the next stage, which is typically a more in-depth interview with the hiring manager.
How a Great Prescreening Interview Can Set You Up for Success
Some candidates make the mistake of underestimating the prescreening interview, treating it as just a minor checkpoint rather than an essential step in the hiring process. Don’t be that candidate!
This is your first interaction with the company, and first impressions matter. If you bring your A-game, the recruiter will be more excited to move you forward in the hiring process. A great prescreening interview will set a positive tone for any future interactions and increase your chances of getting hired.
A strong prescreening interview can:
- Make you stand out among other candidates.
- Create a sense of enthusiasm from the recruiter, making them more likely to advocate for you.
- Build momentum for later interviews, giving you an advantage over other applicants.
7 Tips for Making a Great First Impression Over the Phone
Since most prescreening interviews are conducted over the phone, it’s essential to make the best possible impression without the benefit of body language. Here are seven tips to help you shine:
1. Practice Active Listening
Pay close attention to the recruiter’s questions and respond thoughtfully. In order to make a great impression, you want to avoid having to ask the interviewer to repeat themselves or not fully pay attention to the questions and answer them in a way that shows a lack of interest or attention.
2. Smile Through the Phone
Believe it or not, people can hear a smile! Smiling while speaking helps convey enthusiasm and warmth. Ensure you’re smiling on the phone and projecting an open and friendly tone through your voice.
3. No Multitasking
Focus entirely on the call. Don’t browse the internet, check emails, or do chores while talking. You wouldn’t unload the dishwasher during an in-person interview, so you shouldn’t do that during a phone interview either!
4. Enunciate Clearly
Speak at a steady pace and articulate your words to ensure the recruiter understands you. Mumbling or being too quiet could indicate that you are unsure of yourself or are less interested in the role.
5. Be Friendly & Personable
Show some personality! It’s important to make a human connection with the person interviewing you, don’t be afraid to make little jokes, have some fun, and ensure that they get to know who you are as a person, not just a worker.
6. Express Curiosity
Ask intelligent questions about the role and company to show that you’re genuinely interested. Most companies value curiosity in their employees, so be sure to pay attention to the interviewer and ask questions in return to show your engagement.
7. Adapt to the Recruiter’s Cues
Pay attention to pauses, tone shifts, and cues from the interviewer to ensure your responses align with the flow of the conversation. If their tone shifts, you may want to elaborate on your answers or adjust for future questions.
11 Common Prescreening Interview Questions & How to Answer Them
To help you prepare, here are 11 common prescreening interview questions along with insights on how to answer them effectively:
- What motivates you at work?
- Employers want to understand your driving force. Talk about what you’re passionate about, your career growth, or where you’ve made a meaningful impact.
- What makes you want to change jobs?
- Be honest but diplomatic. Focus on career growth and new challenges rather than complaints about your previous employer or simply “I want more money”.
- What career accomplishments would help you perform in this role?
- Highlight some specific achievements relevant to the job’s responsibilities, if you need to you can even pull up the job posting.
- What interests you about this role?
- Show enthusiasm and reference specific aspects of the job that align with your skills and career goals. You can also talk about how the company itself has a culture you’re interested in being a part of.
- How does your experience/education fit the expectations of this role?
- Connect your background to the job requirements with examples.
- Are you interviewing with any other companies?
- It’s okay to say yes but keep it professional and avoid sounding desperate.
- How do you typically manage your time and priorities?
- Employers want to assess your organization and efficiency skills, so be clear and concise in your explanation.
- In the last few years, what is something you are most proud of?
- This is the time to brag about how amazing you are. Choose an achievement that highlights key skills and perseverance — and make sure it’s one you’re genuinely proud of!
- What’s an example of a way you dealt with disappointment in the past?
- When discussing disappointment, employers want to see resilience and problem-solving skills. Be sure to highlight not just an immediate reaction after disappointment, but also what your next steps were.
- We use certain technologies for this role. What are your proficiencies?
- Be honest about your experience and willingness to learn new tools. If you don’t have experience using the technologies listed, mention similar programs that you are familiar with to showcase your abilities.
- What salary range do you expect from your next role?
- This is an answer you should have ready when you start applying for new roles. Do your research and give a reasonable range based on market standards.
How Recruitment Partners Can Help
Navigating job applications and prescreening interviews can be overwhelming, but Recruitment Partners is here to help. Our team of expert recruiters ensures that candidates are well-prepared by:
- Reviewing resumes and cover letters to highlight your strengths.
- Conducting initial prescreening interviews to ensure the best candidates move forward.
- Matching job seekers with roles where they truly fit.
- Offering resources and guidance to help you ace every step of the hiring process.
If you’re a candidate looking to nail your next interview, check out our candidate resources or speak with a recruiter today!
Your prescreening interview is more than just a formality — it’s your chance to stand out and set the stage for success. By preparing well, showcasing your personality, and making a strong first impression, you increase your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. Treat it with the same importance as a full interview, and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job!
