Phone Screen Script Generator
Create structured phone screening guides with qualifying questions. Ensure consistent candidate evaluation and efficient first-touch calls.
Screen Details
Qualifying Questions
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PHONE SCREEN SCRIPT ================================================================================ Position: [Job Title] Company: [Company Name] Duration: 15 minutes INTRODUCTION (2 minutes) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hi [Candidate Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company Name]. How are you today?" [Wait for response] "Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. I'm reaching out about the [Job Title] position you applied for. Do you have about 15 minutes to discuss the role and your background?" [If yes, continue. If no, schedule another time] "Great! Let me give you a quick overview: [Brief 30-second description of the role and company]. Does that still sound like something you'd be interested in exploring?" QUALIFYING QUESTIONS (11 minutes) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Can you walk me through your most recent relevant experience? [Listen for: Relevance, recency, depth of experience] [Follow-up if needed] 2. What's your timeline for a new role? [Listen for: Start date, notice period, relocation needs] [Follow-up if needed] 3. What interests you about this position? [Listen for: Why this role, why this company, career goals] [Follow-up if needed] LOGISTICS & COMPENSATION (2 minutes) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Let me cover a few logistics: • What's your current location, and are you open to [remote/hybrid/onsite]? • What's your salary expectation for this role? • When would you be available to start if we moved forward? • Are you interviewing with other companies right now? • Do you have any questions for me about the role or company?" CLOSING (1 minute) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [IF QUALIFIED] "Based on our conversation, I think you could be a great fit for this role. Here are the next steps: [Describe interview process]. I'll send you a calendar invite for [next interview stage] by [timeframe]. Do you have any other questions before we wrap up?" [IF NOT QUALIFIED] "I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. Based on our conversation, I think this particular role might not be the best match for [specific reason]. However, I'll keep your information on file, and if a position comes up that's a better fit, I'll definitely reach out. Is that okay?" FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ☐ Send thank-you email within 1 hour ☐ Update ATS with screening notes ☐ Schedule next interview (if qualified) ☐ Notify hiring manager of outcome ☐ Send rejection email (if not advancing) NOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Space for your notes during the call] Generated by Boilr - boilr.ai
Phone Screen Best Practices
Keep It Short
Phone screens should be 10-20 minutes max. You're qualifying, not deep-diving. Save detailed discussions for later interview rounds.
Focus on Disqualifiers
Use phone screens to identify reasons NOT to move forward: compensation mismatch, availability issues, or missing must-have requirements.
Standardize Your Questions
Ask every candidate the same core questions. This ensures fair evaluation and makes it easier to compare candidates objectively.
Sell the Opportunity
Even during screening, you're selling. Share what makes the role and company exciting. Top candidates are evaluating you too.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I do a phone screen?
Use phone screens after reviewing resumes but before investing time in full interviews. They're perfect for high-volume roles or when you need to verify basic qualifications quickly.
What questions should I always ask?
Always cover: relevant experience, availability/timeline, salary expectations, and why they're interested. These four areas catch most deal-breakers early.
How do I handle salary discussions?
Be upfront about budget constraints. Ask their expectations first, then share your range. It's better to discover misalignment early than waste everyone's time.
Should I take notes during the call?
Yes! Brief notes help you remember key points and justify your decision to advance or pass. Just let the candidate know: "I'll be taking a few notes as we talk."
How quickly should I follow up after?
Within 24 hours for advancing candidates, within 48 hours for rejections. Speed shows respect and keeps top candidates engaged in your process.
Automate Candidate Pre-Qualification
Boilr automatically qualifies candidates before they even reach your phone screen, so you only talk to people who meet your criteria.
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