How to Conduct a Phone Screen Interview

Wondering how to conduct a phone screen interview? Employers and recruiters use phone screen interviews to narrow down job applicants and hire the best candidates. Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half, explains the five types of questions to ask during a phone screen interview.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Skye Schooley introduces Paul McDonald from staffing firm Robert Half
00:50 What are top types of questions you should ask a candidate during a phone screen interview, and why?
01:02 Robert Half senior executive director Paul McDonald explains what the top five types of phone screen interview questions are, and why you should ask them.
06:26 What should you look for in a candidate's responses that would lead you to believe they should advance to the next round of interviews?
06:40 McDonald explains what to look for in a candidate's responses.
07:51 What are red flags to watch out for in a candidate?
08:04 McDonald offers advice on what red flags to look for when conducting a phone screening interview.
11:11 What topics or questions should you avoid discussing in a phone screen interview, and why?
11:22 McDonald lists the topics you should avoid talking about in a phone screen interview.


As businesses reopen their doors and hire new employees, it is important that they have effective job applicant screening processes in place. Knowing what types of questions to ask during a phone screen interview (and what responses to watch out for) can make a world of difference in the effectiveness of your interviews.

Staff writer Skye Schooley of business.com interviews Paul McDonald, senior executive director of the industry-leading staffing firm Robert Half on how to conduct a phone screen interview. McDonald explains what questions to ask a job candidate, what topics to avoid, and what to look for in a candidate's responses.

Skye Schooley is a staff writer for business.com.

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