Interviews and career
How to get through a phone screen with a recruiter
The first call from a recruiter is a quick filter: motivation, experience, availability and salary expectations. If they call at a bad moment, suggest another time instead of answering on the run. Have a number ready, plus two sentences on why this role interests you.
How to handle this conversation
You can reschedule
If you are on a bus or at your desk at work, say: “Thanks for calling, I am glad to hear from you. Could we talk at six today? Then I can answer your questions properly.”
Keep the job ad at hand
Recruiters send out many roles. Note the company, the job title and three requirements so you do not mix up roles during the call.
State your number calmly
“I am looking for 85,000 a year, and I am open to talking about the whole package.” Prepare it in advance, because the question often comes in the very first call.
Ask about next steps
At the end: “What does the rest of the process look like and when can I expect to hear back?” You get clarity and show you take the process seriously.
I am on a phone screen with a recruiter
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 5-8 minutes
The situation
A week ago you sent your CV to several job ads. In the middle of the day an agency recruiter calls about one of them. She asks about your current job, why you want to move, your notice period and your salary expectations. You want to get to the next stage without naming a number that is too low.
Who you talk to
Agency recruiter
Energetic, with a list of candidates to call. She talks fast, fires questions one after another and presses for a number before saying anything about the budget.
The counterpart also has private goals and information that are never shown upfront. You discover them only through the conversation, the same way you would in real life.
What makes it hard
- The call comes at an inconvenient moment and needs a quick response.
- The recruiter wants your number before revealing the client’s budget.
- It is not immediately clear which job she is calling about.
Your goals
- Present your motivation and experience in a few sentences
- Give your salary expectations without lowballing yourself
- Agree on the next steps in the process
What the report looks at
- Whether your answers are short and suited to a phone call
- How you respond to pressure to name a number
- Whether you ask about the role details and the salary range
- Whether the call ends with a clear next step