According to ISEEK’s blog, the prescreening interview is becoming an increasingly common tool for employers to shorten their list of potential employers. For those of you have yet to experience a prescreening interview, and for those who need a little help, here is some advice that ISEEK gives.
First, to make sure we’re on the same page, let’s go over what a prescreening interview is. Usually conducted over the phone, the interview often lasts less than half an hour. The main purpose is to determine whether or not you meet the minimum requirements for the available position. In other words, they want to know if you are worth their time to go through the formal interview process.
Because it is unlikely that the prescreening interview will take place in person, have your resume and cover letter out might help to calm any nerves. It will also help you answer questions in a quick and concise manner. ISEEK also recommends that you be prepared for the salary question. Along with confirming that you are qualified for the job, the recruiter will also want to know if the company can afford you. Make sure you know what you are worth and what the company is willing to pay you before you give a number.
As with any interview, make sure you know the name and email address of the person you talked to so you can follow-up. Also, sending a thank you note might be a good idea.