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Phone Screen Script Template

A phone screen script gives a recruiter word-for-word opening lines, a short role pitch, and a set order of questions for a first call with a candidate. Use it to keep every screening call consistent, cover logistics early, and leave time for the candidate's own questions before you close, with suggested timings for each segment.

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Give this script to any recruiter running first-round calls so a candidate hears a consistent pitch and gets asked the same core questions, whatever their assigned recruiter's personal style. Read the bracketed prompts as a guide, not a transcript to recite - the goal is a natural conversation that still covers every required point.

01 Copy & adapt — replace every [placeholder]

Opening and framing

Say this: Hi [CANDIDATE FIRST NAME], thanks for making time today. I am [YOUR NAME], [YOUR TITLE] at [COMPANY NAME].

Say this: This call should take about [DURATION] - I will share a bit about the role, ask a few questions, and leave time for yours at the end. Does that work for you?

Pause. Listen for a clear yes before moving on.

Time check: note the actual start time so you can track the segments below.

Role pitch

Say this: Let me give you a quick picture of the role. We are hiring a [JOB TITLE] to [ONE-LINE MISSION OF THE ROLE]. You would report to [MANAGER NAME / TITLE] and work closely with [TEAM / FUNCTION].

Say this: The role involves [TOP TWO OR THREE RESPONSIBILITIES]. The team is currently [TEAM SIZE / STAGE], and what is changing right now is [CONTEXT].

Pause. Listen for a reaction - genuine interest, questions, or silence are all useful signals.

Time check: keep this segment brief. Save detail for later rounds and move to the candidate's story.

Candidate's own story

Say this: I would like to hear about your background - walk me through your current role and what led you to apply for this one.

Listen for: relevant experience, reasons for leaving or moving, and how they describe their own contribution versus their team's.

Say this: Tell me about a time you [SITUATION RELEVANT TO THE ROLE]. What did you do, and what happened?

Red flag: vague answers with no specifics, or a story that does not match what is on their resume - note it and park it for the hiring manager to probe.

Time check: this is the longest segment. If you are running long, move to logistics rather than cutting it short.

Logistics questions

Say this: A few practical questions before we move on. What is your notice period, or when could you start?

Say this: What are you looking for in terms of compensation for this role?

Say this: Is this role's location and work model - [ONSITE / HYBRID / REMOTE, CITY] - workable for you?

Listen for: a notice period or salary expectation well outside your range - flag it now rather than after later rounds.

Time check: keep this segment tight so there is still room for their questions and a proper close.

Their questions and close

Say this: What questions do you have for me about the role, the team, or the company?

Pause. Let them ask more than one question before you answer - it usually signals genuine interest.

Wrap up: Thanks again for your time. Here is what happens next - [NEXT STEP AND EXPECTED TIMEFRAME].

Say this: Is there anything else you want me to know before we finish?

Time check: close on or before your stated duration, even if you have more questions of your own - save them for the next round.

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02 In practice

How to use this template

  1. Read through the whole script before your first call so the segment order feels natural rather than scripted.
  2. Use the bracketed lines as a guide - say them in your own words, but hit every point in brackets.
  3. Keep a rough time check at each segment so logistics and the candidate's own questions do not get squeezed out.
  4. Note anything flagged as a red flag or parked for later, and pass it to the next interviewer rather than deciding on your own mid-call.
  5. Fill in the wrap-up line with a real next step and timeframe before you hang up, not a vague we will be in touch.

Tips

Practice the opening line out loud a few times - it is the part most recruiters read stiffly on their first few calls. If a candidate's notice period or expectations are well outside your range, say so on the call rather than letting them find out later. Write down what you hear, not what you conclude - park judgement calls for the debrief instead of deciding mid-sentence. Leave real time for the candidate's questions; how someone uses that time tells you almost as much as your own questions do. Adjust the segment order for internal referrals or senior candidates - you may need less role pitch and more discussion of their story.

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FAQ

Phone Screen Script Template — FAQs

What is a phone screen script?
It is a written guide for a recruiter's first call with a candidate, with suggested opening lines, a short role pitch, a set order of questions, and rough timings for each segment. It keeps early-stage calls consistent across recruiters and candidates.
Should I read the script word for word?
No. Treat the bracketed lines as prompts to say in your own voice, not a transcript. The point of the script is that every call covers the same ground, not that every call sounds identical.
How long should a phone screen take?
Long enough to cover the role pitch, the candidate's story, logistics, and their own questions without rushing any one part - the segments above give you a structure you can adjust to your own process.
What should I do with a red flag I hear during the call?
Write down exactly what was said or done rather than your interpretation of it, and pass the note to whoever runs the next round instead of deciding alone. A single flag is often worth probing further, not an automatic reject.
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