Hiring for Fit

CHAPTER 6

Prescreening for Fit

We refer to the screening that takes place before an interview as prescreening. Most organizations use prescreening to screen primarily for hard skills, but this emphasis misses a great opportunity to screen for the broader aspects of fit. A significant part of the screening for soft-skill fit and compatibility of expectations can and should occur at the ­prescreening stage, before you make a decision on granting a first interview. We consider prescreening a valuable tool in arriving at a strong short list of candidates who might fit the organization and the role, subject to more in-depth investigation. If a search firm isn’t involved in hiring for the role, prescreening can typically be completed by the HR Department ...