As one of the leading staffing agencies in Dade County, Future Force knows the phone screen has become a standard part of the hiring process. And it’s no wonder. One quick call and you can oftentimes tell whether a candidate is someone worth pursuing or completely the wrong fit.
But sometimes, it’s not so clear. When that’s the case, how can you conduct a phone screen that still helps you find the best candidates? Here are some tips to follow:
Identify what you’re looking for.
Review the job description and make a list of the key traits and skills that are essential to the position. That way, when you’re conducting phone screens, you can ask questions related to these areas and also spot interview answers that best align with your needs.
Be prepared.
Don’t just wing it during a phone interview. Thoroughly prepare for each one. That means reviewing resumes ahead of time and jotting down notes and questions to ask. Also, think through how you want to structure the call. It’s always a good idea to start with an ice-breaker before getting into any hard-hitting questions. Also, make sure you give the candidate a few minutes to ask their own questions.
Be consistent.
When you do ask questions, make sure they’re consistent across all the candidates you’re screening. They don’t have to be the exact same and in fact, some should be specific to each particular candidate. However, to be able to really compare candidates, you need to be asking each one similar questions.
Create a scorecard.
When you’re assessing candidates during a phone screen, the easiest way to do it is to create a scorecard. For each trait or skills that’s essential for the job, give the candidate a score of one through five. Also, at the end of the screen, give each candidate an overall score of one to five. It will be much easier to identify the strongest candidates.
Take notes.
Throughout each phone screen, make sure you take plenty of notes during the process. That way, you’ll be able to remember important details, skills and accomplishments of each candidate you screen. You’ll also be able to better compare them and make the case for which one are the strongest contenders for an interview.
Be professional.
You expect candidates to be professional throughout the phone screen process. And it’s important for you to do the same. That means following proper etiquette, such as giving them your full attention and not putting them on hold when you get another call.
Talk about next steps.
Once you’ve answered any questions the candidate might have, talk about next steps in the process so candidates know what to expect. If you promise to get back to them within a certain amount of time, then make sure you follow up. Even if they’re not the right fit for the current job, they could be a good candidate for a future opportunity.
Don’t have the time or resources to conduct proper phone screens?
Get help from the experts. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Dade County, we can provide you with the skilled and dependable workers you need, whether on a temporary, part-time, or full-time basis. Contact Future Force today to learn more.