Interview Tips: How to Prepare for a Pre-Screening Call
If you are job searching, are you prepared to sell yourself on a pre-screening call? Keep this in mind – recruiters and hiring managers may prefer to chat with you by phone or virtually before moving forward.
Recruiters often use these types of calls to pre-screen candidates prior to inviting them into the formal interview process. Calls can range in length from 15 to 30 minutes and include similar questions as job interviews (e.g., “tell me about yourself”, “what attracted you to this role”, or “what are your strengths” etc.).
While shorter than a typical job interview, pre-screening calls should still be taken seriously. So, follow these tips to nail your next screening call:
1 – Collect your materials
Pre-screenings are a fantastic opportunity to show that you are both a good fit for the job, and that you are knowledgeable about the role and company. Have the following documents nearby:
Your resume
Your cover letter
The job posting
Summary of key facts about the company
Bullet point notes of key professional experiences you can use to help illustrate your responses
Think of these documents as your safety net, not a script. If you get stuck on a question, you can quickly glance at the necessary information to help prompt you in the right direction.
#2 – Do your research
Before any job interview or screening call, it is a good idea to research the organization and role thoroughly. Not only will this help answer the possible question “what do you know about our organization,” but it will also lead to more informed conversations. Some things to investigate include: the organization’s age, size, mission statement, and programs and services.
#3 – Prepare questions
Pre-interview screenings and interviews are a two-way street. They are a chance for both the organization and you to see if this partnership is a good match. Asking questions at the end of an interview helps to display your interest in the role and can help you make an informed decision about whether or not the job is a good fit for you.
#4 – Find the right environment
Set yourself up for success by ensuring you are in a calm, quiet, and private environment. Do a technology check and ensure everything is set up and ready to go. Your phone is charged, and/or your video conferencing system (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet) is ready to connect.
#5 – Treat it like an interview
You should still act as if this were an in-person interview. Dress in a way that makes you feel confident, smile as you are talking, and try to sit up straight in a chair, ideally at a desk. You can engage in some small talk, show enthusiasm for the role, but always remember to be professional.
Pre-screening calls, while not always a part of the hiring process, are something you should still be prepared for. After your resume, it is your first opportunity to make a real impression on the hiring manager or a potential future colleague.
Visit the Virtual Resource room of Calgary Career Hub and check out the category on Interview Skills. Here’s the link: Resource Room — Calgary Career Hub