When a candidate responds to prescreen request, through Indeed, reply with preset template Confirming Prescreen Call and update with the day, date, and time for the scheduled call.
Send a calendar invite for the day & time with the following information. (Email is normally found through assessment results email)
Example Calendar Invite:
Subject: Prescreen call w/ Candidate’s Name (Job Title)
Body of Message:
Hi Candidate’s First Name,
We will be going over the position you applied to, the (position/job title), and a series of standard questions asked of all candidates.
Those 5 questions are listed below:
Company Explain why looking for work and why you chose this position & company.
Strengths Can you highlight your strength(s) and how they will help in this position?
Aspirations/Motivations What are your long-term career goals and what motivates you to go after those goals?
Disagreements Can you point to a past disagreement, in the workplace, that was handled with professionalism and showed resolve?
Past Mistakes Can you explain a past mistake, in the workplace, that was corrected, and you were able to grow from?
I look forward to talking with you on (day).
Thank you,
Laura Marsland
HR Recruiter
Advantus Corp
Prior to the prescreen call:
Review the candidate’s resume and application notes.
Review the assessment results.
Read over the position applied to job description, in relation to the candidate’s resume.
Determine if there is anything that needs to be addressed, in addition to the established prescreen questions. For example, breaks in work history, change in job positions, lack of advancement or direction of advancement.
Prescreen call:
In the opening of the call explain to the candidate what all is to be discussed (Intro to who Advantus is and what we do, how the position applied to fits into business, and the established questions).
Go over what the steps for the remaining candidate process will be (HM interview, references, ect).
Example Scripted Intro: The prescreen call is for me to get to know you, go over your resume, and give you some information on Advantus Corp. and how the role you applied to fits into our operations.
We’ll go over a few questions asked of all candidates, which were sent with the calendar invite sent. Did you get a chance to look at those?
Prescreen Questions & Ratings:
Review and discuss work history listed and experiences related to the position applied to.
Using the established Prescreen Rating Sheet, to be filled out during a call, move forward with questions.
Company Able to explain why looking for work and why this position & company? Comments: Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Strengths Able to highlight strengths and how said strengths will help in the position? Comments: Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Aspirations/Motivations Clear answer when asked about long-term career goals & what motivates him/her to go after those goals? Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Comments
Disagreements Able to point to past disagreement, in the workplace, that was handled with professionalism and showed resolve? Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
Past Mistakes Explained a past mistake that was corrected and able to grow from? Comments: Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Impression: Final comments and thoughts & how we proceed with candidate?
Comments: Overall Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Wrap up the call & explain next steps:
Confirm the information listed with application:
ie: You noted you have # years of X experience, is this correct?
You noted your desired payrate is $#, is that still accurate?
Ask for availability for interviewing with the hiring manager (In person or Zoom). Let the candidate know that once that is scheduled an email will be sent as confirmation for the interview, which will include all the details needed.
Explain to the candidate that an email, right after the call, will be sent asking for references, 2 personal and 2 professionals, and that the personal references can be a relative, just not a parent, grandparent, or spouse.
Ask if he/she has any questions and thank for his/her time.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me this afternoon. As mentioned in the call, if you could please provide 2 professional references, who can be a previous co-worker, supervisor, or even a prior subordinate, and then also 2 personal references. For each reference, please include a phone#, email address, and who the person is to you (ie: previous coworker at company x or neighbor/friend).
I’ll also get you set up to interview with the hiring manager and will send you the confirmation with those details once that’s been scheduled.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
(Signature Block)
Type of Prescreen Notes, and rate according to how the candidate answers.
Try to remain unbiased, rate each answer based on originality of the answer.
Rate if answers sounded genuine, and if the candidate gave plenty of details when describing situations or if the answers sounded too generalized.
Ensure to be as candid as possible when answering Overall Impression.
Save as: Prescreen Rating Sheet – Candidate Name
Schedule Interview with hiring manager, If feel the candidate’s prescreen warrants being moved forward in the candidate process. If not, wait a day and send a “passing on” email.
Sending a “passing on” email, be sure to also close out the application in Indeed.
Example Email:
Subject: Advantus (job title) Position Application
Body of email:
Dear (Name) ,
Thank you for applying for the (-) position at Advantus Corp., we know there are many opportunities out there and feel fortunate you applied with us.
Though your qualifications and experience are impressive, we have decided not to move forward with you for the position.
We appreciate the time you invested with Advantus Corp. and wish you the best in your continued job search.
