Getting invited to a phone interview can feel like you’re making your first real step toward your next job.
So of course, you want to crush it. You want to go in prepared. You want to know what the interviewer is looking for, and you want to know what questions you’ll have to answer.
Usually, phone interviews are the first step in the hiring process and very high level: The interviewer is “screening for risks, they’re trying to validate your qualifications, and they want to see if you’re a fit,” says Muse career coach Tina Wascovich. “Who are you, what do you know about us, [and] why do you want to work here?”
Of course, it’s entirely possible you’ll get asked very specific questions that are unique to the job or your field. But more often than not you’ll get asked some of the the following common questions in a phone interview:
Read on to learn how to answer these questions (along with example answers), what other questions you might get, and how to prepare for your phone interview.
How to Answer a Job Pre-Screening Questionnaire
10 Best Pre Screening Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Posted by IntroMagic Team on September 11th, 2021
Hiring professionals are suspicious of candidates who seem too good to be true on paper. Today, misjudging personality and bringing aboard individuals who aren’t a great fit is easier than misspelling words. Not asking relevant or the best pre screening interview questions answers how poor-fit candidates slip undetected through the process.
Oversight in vetting methods is the reason why the personality-fit objective completely misses its mark. As a result, recruiters risk losing their industry’s best minds to competitors because they might have asked the wrong questions.
Between the actual interview and preliminary talent searches, HR teams get a limited opportunity to pose the best pre screening interview questions. It is the only time in the hiring cycle where personality assessment is critical.
So if you’re still asking mundane questions that should be reserved for rookies, stop doing it now!
Instead, ask the best pre screening interview questions, which we will cover in a bit to zero in on the type of personality every industry values. Asking some or all of these questions can be the only way of telling whether you must continue walking with the candidate or walk them out.
Pre-Screening Interview Questions Categories to Expect
Now that you understand why pre-screening interview questions are so crucial, it’s important to note that there are many common questions you could be asked. However, a majority of these questions will all fall under a few shared categories.
With that in mind, we’ve outlined the most common question categories you might come across to make preparing a little easier:
- How would your previous work experience help you succeed in this new role?
- Can you tell me about a time when you faced a major challenge in your last position? How did you overcome it?
- Why are you leaving your current position?
- Why are you interested in this position?
- I see you’ve worked in X. Can you tell me how your experience in X makes you a good candidate for this position?
- Daily requirements for this position include x, y, and z. Can you tell me how you meet these requirements?
- What were some of your responsibilities at your previous position?
- Are there specific responsibilities you hope to have with our company?
- Tell me about a time when someone depended on you.
- Can you tell me about a time you showed leadership?
- Can you tell me about your biggest workplace accomplishment?
- What are your professional goals?
- How would this position help you pursue your goals?
- What personal growth did you achieve in your last position?
- Do you prefer to work in a team or independently?
- What role do you usually play in team situations?
- What makes a successful team?
- Describe your experience resolving disagreements.
- How would you go about building relationships in a new workspace?
- How do you effectively communicate with co-workers or customers?
- How do you prioritize tasks?
- Do you have experience with deadlines? If so, how do you manage your time to meet them?
- How would you effectively manage a project, so it gets completed well and on time?
- Why do you want to work for our company?
- How familiar are you with our company?
- Why did you choose to apply to our company over our competitors?
- What made you interested in pursuing a career in X?
- How would you describe a typical day working in this position?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- How would you describe this company’s culture?
- What are the current goals of this company?
The pre screen interview is at the very early stages of the recruitment process but that does not mean it is not important. Be prepared to answer the questions above and make sure your voice is relaxed and steady. There are some great tips and tricks on the page below to help you sound confident and polished. Check them out if you get a chance.
These are often asked up front to discover if you are truly interested in the role or if it is just one of many other jobs you have applied for. They are also looking to see how many other roles you are in the running for and how desperate you are to leave your current job.
The Pre Screening interview is designed to help the recruiter eliminate as many unsuitable candidates as possible before they put aside a whole lot of time to interview people face to face. Considering the fact that the pre screen interview is usually conducted over the phone in just 20-30 minutes, there is only enough time to ask about 5 key questions. The way you answer these 5 questions will determine if you make it through to the next important round.
To see our prepared answers for both these screening questions have a look at the post here:
This is a question that is not really brought up too much until the latter stages of the recruitment process however it is common during a pre-screen interview. The recruiter would like to know if you are roughly in the salary range they have in mind. You do not need to give a definite figure but it is a good idea to provide a basic range. There is a prepared answer you can cut and paste in the post below. Just update the basic numbers with the ones for your industry.
FAQ
What should I say in pre-interview?
- What about your current and past work experience make you a great fit for our role?
- What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your current or previous role? …
- What are your goals for professional development? …
- What does your perfect manager look like?
What are 5 pre-interview tips?
- Find out what kind of interview it will be.
- Check out the interviewer and the hiring manager.
- Search for former employees.
- Research the company.
- 5.Be prepared.
How do you pass a pre-screening interview?
Prepare your questions. After the interviewer has asked you their prescreening questions, they typically ask you if you have any questions for them. Before the interview, write a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer that show your enthusiasm and interest in the role and employer.
What questions should I ask at a pre-interview?
