Questions to ask on a first phone call with a candidate

Purpose

What the first call is for

The first call is not an interview. It is a short check to decide one thing: is this person worth meeting? A resume shows what someone has done. A call shows how they speak, how they listen and whether the basics match your job.

Confirm the basics
Role, area, notice period, expected pay.
Check the experience
Ask about the work they actually did.
Hear them speak
Clear, polite and easy to follow?
Decide the next step
Meet, maybe, or a polite no.

Prepare

Before you dial

Five minutes of preparation makes the call shorter and better.

Read the resume once, start to finish.
Pick two things on it you want to ask about.
Write down the role, the salary range, the work location and the working hours.
Keep a notes sheet open with one line per candidate.
Find a quiet spot and call at a sensible hour.

Ask these

Questions, grouped by what you need to find out

Pick three or four. You do not need all of them.

The basics

Are you looking for a job now, or are you working somewhere?
If you are working, how soon could you join?
Which area do you live in, and how will you travel to work?
What pay are you expecting?

Their experience

What did you do in a normal day in your last job?
Which tools or software did you use most?
What is one thing you did that you are proud of?
Why did you leave, or why do you want to leave?

Fit for the job

Are the hours and the work location fine for you?
Have you done a job like this before? What was hard about it?
How would you handle a day when there is more work than time?
What do you want to learn in your next job?

Their questions

What would you like to know about the job?
Is there anything about the hours, travel or pay that worries you?

Listen

What to listen for

Be careful if

Good sign

Be careful if
Vague answers
“I did everything” tells you nothing.
Good sign
They describe specific tasks, tools and results.
Be careful if
Blaming everyone
Good sign
They talk about past bosses and teams fairly, even when they left.
Be careful if
No questions at all
Good sign
They ask about the work, the hours and the team.
Be careful if
Pay or timing far from yours
Good sign
Pay, travel and joining date are close to what you can offer.

How to end the call and decide

Tell them the next step and when they will hear from you.
Send the address and time by message right after a yes.
Give every candidate a clear answer, even a no.
Call your top three within a day or two, while the interest is fresh.
Keep your notes. They help if the first choice says no.

Still building your list of people to call? See how to find candidates with a resume database and how to shortlist without an HR team.

FAQ

Common questions

How long should a first phone call be?

Short. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough to confirm the basics and get a feel for the person. If it is going well, book a proper meeting instead of stretching the call.

Should I ask about salary on the first call?

Yes. Tell them the salary range you have in mind and ask what they expect. If the two are far apart, it is kinder to both sides to find out now.

What should I avoid asking?

Keep every question about the job: skills, experience, timing, travel and pay. Avoid personal questions that have nothing to do with the work. If you are unsure about a question, check with a professional.

What if the candidate does not pick up?

Try once more later in the day, then send a short message saying who you are and what the role is. Do not call repeatedly. Move on to the next name on your list.

Search Resumes

Questions to ask on a first phone call with a candidate

Purpose

What the first call is for

Confirm the basics
Role, area, notice period, expected pay.
Check the experience
Ask about the work they actually did.
Hear them speak
Clear, polite and easy to follow?
Decide the next step
Meet, maybe, or a polite no.

Prepare

Before you dial

Five minutes of preparation makes the call shorter and better.

Read the resume once, start to finish.
Pick two things on it you want to ask about.
Write down the role, the salary range, the work location and the working hours.
Keep a notes sheet open with one line per candidate.
Find a quiet spot and call at a sensible hour.

Ask these

Questions, grouped by what you need to find out

Pick three or four. You do not need all of them.

The basics

Are you looking for a job now, or are you working somewhere?
If you are working, how soon could you join?
Which area do you live in, and how will you travel to work?
What pay are you expecting?

Their experience

What did you do in a normal day in your last job?
Which tools or software did you use most?
What is one thing you did that you are proud of?
Why did you leave, or why do you want to leave?

Fit for the job

Are the hours and the work location fine for you?
Have you done a job like this before? What was hard about it?
How would you handle a day when there is more work than time?
What do you want to learn in your next job?

Their questions

What would you like to know about the job?
Is there anything about the hours, travel or pay that worries you?

Listen

What to listen for

Be careful if

Good sign

Be careful if
Vague answers
“I did everything” tells you nothing.
Good sign
They describe specific tasks, tools and results.
Be careful if
Blaming everyone
Good sign
They talk about past bosses and teams fairly, even when they left.
Be careful if
No questions at all
Good sign
They ask about the work, the hours and the team.
Be careful if
Pay or timing far from yours
Good sign
Pay, travel and joining date are close to what you can offer.

How to end the call and decide

Tell them the next step and when they will hear from you.
Send the address and time by message right after a yes.
Give every candidate a clear answer, even a no.
Call your top three within a day or two, while the interest is fresh.
Keep your notes. They help if the first choice says no.

Still building your list of people to call? See how to find candidates with a resume database and how to shortlist without an HR team.

FAQ

Common questions

How long should a first phone call be?

Short. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough to confirm the basics and get a feel for the person. If it is going well, book a proper meeting instead of stretching the call.

Should I ask about salary on the first call?

Yes. Tell them the salary range you have in mind and ask what they expect. If the two are far apart, it is kinder to both sides to find out now.

What should I avoid asking?

What if the candidate does not pick up?

Try once more later in the day, then send a short message saying who you are and what the role is. Do not call repeatedly. Move on to the next name on your list.

Search Resumes

Questions to ask on a first phone call with a candidate

What the first call is for

Confirm the basics

Check the experience

Hear them speak

Decide the next step

Before you dial

Questions, grouped by what you need to find out

The basics

Their experience

Fit for the job

Their questions

What to listen for

How to end the call and decide

Common questions

Related reading

Questions to ask on a first phone call with a candidate

What the first call is for

Confirm the basics

Check the experience

Hear them speak

Decide the next step

Before you dial

Questions, grouped by what you need to find out

The basics

Their experience

Fit for the job

Their questions

What to listen for

How to end the call and decide

Common questions

Related reading