• Recruiters
    • For Recruiters
    • About NPAworldwide
      • About NPAworldwide
      • International Recruiters Network
      • Practice Groups
      • Geographic Areas Facilitate Split Placements
      • Split Placement Network Return on Investment
      • Split Fee Network Leadership
      • Governance of NPAworldwide’s Recruiting Professionals Network
      • Meetings & Events
    • About Membership
      • About Membership
      • 9 Reasons to Join NPAworldwide’s Split Network
      • Group Discounts for NPAworldwide Members
      • Join Our Recruiting Professionals Network
      • Cost of Membership in our Split Fee Recruitment Network
    • Recruiting Resources
      • Recruiting Resources
      • Help
    • Find A Member
  • Employers
    • For Employers
    • About NPAworldwide
      • About NPAworldwide
      • How NPAworldwide Works
      • The Benefits of Working with NPAworldwide Recruiters
    • Services
      • Services
      • Recruiting Resources: Contracting Employees
      • Recruiting Resources: Background Checks
      • Recruiting Resources: Pre-Employment Testing
      • Recruiting Resources: Outplacement
    • Links for Employers
    • Find A Member
  • Job Seekers
    • For Job Seekers
    • About NPAworldwide
      • About NPAworldwide
      • How NPAworldwide Works
      • The Benefits of Working with NPAworldwide Recruiters
      • Practice Groups
    • Find A Member
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Job Board
  • Resources
  • Blog
    • Independent Recruiting Blog
    • Press Releases
    • Video Testimonials
  • Ready to Apply?
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • —
  • —
  • —
  • —
  • Job Seeker Resources
NPAworldwide - Global Recruitment Network
  • Recruiters
  • Employers
  • Job Seekers
  • Blog
  • Member Login
NPAworldwide - Global Recruitment Network
Apply Today
  • Navigation
    • Home
    • Recruiters
    • Employers
    • Job Seekers
    • Blog
    • Member Login
    • More
      • Recruiters
        • For Recruiters
        • About NPAworldwide
          • About NPAworldwide
          • International Recruiters Network
          • Practice Groups
          • Split Placement Network Return on Investment
          • Split Fee Network Leadership
          • Governance of NPAworldwide’s Recruiting Professionals Network
          • Meetings & Events
        • About Membership
          • About Membership
          • 9 Reasons to Join NPAworldwide’s Split Network
          • Group Discounts for NPAworldwide Members
          • Join Our Recruiting Professionals Network
          • Cost of Membership in our Split Fee Recruitment Network
        • Recruiting Resources
          • Recruiting Resources
          • Help
        • Find A Member
      • Employers
        • For Employers
        • About NPAworldwide
          • About NPAworldwide
          • How NPAworldwide Works
          • Advantages of Working with NPAworldwide
        • Services
          • Services
          • Recruiting Resources: Contracting Employees
          • Recruiting Resources: Background Checks
          • Recruiting Resources: Pre-Employment Testing
          • Recruiting Resources: Outplacement
        • Links for Employers
        • Find A Member
      • Job Seekers
        • For Job Seekers
        • About NPAworldwide
          • About NPAworldwide
          • How NPAworldwide Works
          • The Benefits of Working with NPAworldwide Recruiters
          • Practice Groups
        • Find A Member
        • Job Seeker Resources
      • Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Job Board
      • Resources
      • Blog
        • Independent Recruiting Blog
        • Press Releases
        • Video Testimonials
      • Ready to Apply?
      • Contact Us
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • LinkedIn
        • YouTube
        • Instagram
      • International
        • —
        • —
        • —
        • —

8 Great Phone Screening Tips

by Veronica Blatt

man-telephone-headsetToday’s guest blogger is Jason Elias with Elias Recruitment, specializing in placing lawyers throughout Australia. Jason is a longtime member of NPAworldwide, a previous director, and recipient of the 2014 NPAworldwide Chairman’s Award.

  1. Where possible find a quiet place to make the calls with all the CVs printed out/on screen in front of you.
  2. Prepare a series of questions based on the selection criteria, experience and attitude, e.g. why did they apply for this role, what makes them a good candidate?
  3. The aim is not a detailed assessment but rather a “Yes” or “No” as to whether they progress to the next stage, usually a formal interview. Try and be as efficient as possible and remember everyone you say yes to will require interview time, so be selective.
  4. Always ask the essential criteria questions first. If there is a threshold issue such as a degree/qualification, there is no point continuing the conversation with unqualified applicants. Politely notify the applicant that you cannot progress
    and ask if you can keep them in mind about other roles where that requirement is not an issue.
  5. Assess their communication skills. There are many roles that require significant phone time. Does the applicant have the requisite phone presence your organisation needs?
  6. Check logistical issues such as when they can start. If you need someone to start shortly and they need to provide a 3 month notice period, move on to the next applicant. Also check visas/working rights, salary expectations and any other housekeeping issues.
  7. Check what other opportunities they have: there is something comforting about knowing that other organisations are also pursuing the candidate. This also means competition, so you need to know how quickly to move things along. There is nothing more frustrating than selecting the perfect candidate only to find out she has taken a job elsewhere because the other company moved faster.
  8. Remember to keep the good candidates in the loop, perhaps call or email them after the screening and let them know that you are keen to interview and ascertain their availability.

button to subscribe to NPA blog

Posted in: Recruiting Resources

  • Explore Membership Split-Fee Sample
  • Subscribe to our Blog
  • Recent Posts

    • Hidden Job Market Secrets: Finding Unadvertised Opportunities
    • How to Recognize a Trusted Recruiter: What Every Job Seeker Deserves
    • Summer Bucket List for Recruiters
    • Recruitment Website Design Considerations
    • Pay Transparency Laws – 2025 Update
  • Press Releases

    • Brian Small, Chris Wessell Receive Inaugural NPAworldwide Volunteer Awards
    • Lori Laird Receives NPAworldwide Community Service Award
    • Taufik Arief of People Search International Receives Prestigious 2025 NPAworldwide Chair’s Award
  • Blog Topics

    • Hidden Job Market Secrets: Finding Unadvertised Opportunities
    • How to Recognize a Trusted Recruiter: What Every Job Seeker Deserves
    • Summer Bucket List for Recruiters
  • Quick Links

    • For Recruiters
    • For Employers
    • For Job Seekers
    • Apply Today
  • For more than 60 years, NPAworldwide has been connecting independent global recruiting firms to facilitate split placements. NPAworldwide is the oldest recruiting network of its kind, with an international membership of recruiting firms located throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
    ©2025 • NPAworldwide
    Privacy Policy
    Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility