recruiter using video interview to hire candidates

Video Interviewing Software

Prepare These 3 Outstanding Pre-screening Questions Before a Video Interview

July 8, 2022

Tima Rassool

Tima Rassool

Content Writer

Video interview has made the lives of recruiters and candidates a breeze. How?

For its wonderful capability to automate, digitize, and streamline the video interviewing process — from the comfort of your own home! Video interviews allow recruiters to easily test and evaluate key skills and abilities of candidates from anywhere around the globe! SO what exactly are the questions you should ask candidates to see fit your positions like a glove?? Well, we have come up with the perfect guide. So let’s get into it!

What Are Pre-screening Interview Questions

recruiter meeting candidate after video interview

If you are new to the recruiting profession, you need to know the importance of pre-screening interviews. Simply put, it’s where you learn a few extra attributes about candidates that aren’t mentioned in their professional resumes. It tells recruiters whether candidates possess the right qualities that make them suited for the role better than others. Pre-screening questions can connect dots from career expectations and job preferences to awareness about roles, and strengths.

Types Of Questions

recruiters talking about video interview

There are a total of 3 types of questions asked in a pre-screening video interview session:

  • General questions
  • Questions related to experience and background
  • In-depth questions

Let’s explore these categories and the questions you should ask in them below:

General Questions

candidates being chosen through video interview

Pre-screening interviews are conducted to help the recruiter select the top candidates to submit to the hiring manager for review and in-depth interviews. A pre-screening video interview takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. At the beginning of the pre-screening interview, recruiters typically ask general questions to get to know candidates and learn more about their backgrounds. These questions are used to determine how candidates’ personalities and goals fit with the company’s work environment.

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • What do you know about our organization?
  • Where do you see yourself in three years?
  • How did you find this job opening?
  • Why do you want to work for our company?
  • What about this role interests you?
  • What is your ideal work environment?
  • What are you looking for in your next job?
  • What are your salary expectations?
  • Are you interviewing with other companies?
  • When would you be available to start a new role?

Questions Related To Experience And Background

candidates wondering about video iinterview

After the recruiter has covered their general questions, they will move on to ask candidates about their professional and academic experience. These video interview questions help the recruiter or HR representative gain insight into candidates’ work history, preferred work environment and professional capabilities.

  • In what areas are you most knowledgeable?
  • What are your strengths?
  • What is your greatest weakness?
  • What kind of environment do you need to do your best work?
  • How do you work under pressure?
  • What is your leadership style?
  • Tell me about a time you used leadership skills to get a job done.
  • Describe a typical day at your current job.
  • Tell me about one of your biggest career accomplishments so far.
  • Was there a time you didn’t work well with a manager or colleague? If so, tell me how you handled it.
  • Can you provide us with a sample of your work?
  • What motivates you?
  • How do you prioritize tasks and projects?
  • What skills would you bring to the job?
  • What type of management style do you prefer?

In-depth Questions

recruiter conducting a video interview

At the end of the video interview, recruiters will ask candidates a few questions regarding the specific position they are interviewing for. These questions allow the recruiter to assess if candidates have their desired candidates. Recruiters can also focus on candidates who have the technical skills and experience to thrive in this role role. As this list is a sample, questions will vary based on the job you are interviewing for.

  • What is your experience using Microsoft Excel?
  • Which software coding programs are you comfortable using?
  • Tell me about a time you had to put in extra work to meet a deadline.
  • Tell me about a challenging client you have worked with and how you handled it.
  • What are some corporate processes you have implemented?
  • Have you ever had a project not meet the deadline or budget?
  • How do you handle underperforming team members?
  • Which social media platforms are you comfortable advising marketing strategies on?
  • How have you managed a new product launch?
  • What is the most important aspect of data analysis?
  • What is the biggest workplace change you’ve had to adjust to?

Final Thoughts

Pre-screening video interview questions are short and help determine if a potential candidate meets the criteria for the job. If pre-screening goes well, a candidate moves into the next interview phase, which is face-to-face. But pre-interview questions essentially help recruiters pick the most qualified candidates. Choosing the right video interviewing software plays a huge role in that! This is where our software comes in! EVA-SSESS is a next-generation video interviewing software that enables you to pinpoint and hire top talent fast by testing and evaluating the key skills and abilities through secure and unbiased video assessment interviews. Request a free demo to see how EVA-SSESS will assist you in making hiring decisions that are free of bias and full of ease!

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Hire, assess, onboard and manage top talent for every job. See how Elevatus streamlines everything; from acquire to new hire.

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Author

Tima Rassool

Tima Rassool

A wordsmith, storyteller, and content strategist – Tima is an MBA graduate with 6+ years of experience in the world of HR. With over 2,000 blogs under her belt, Tima's expertise and insights have helped businesses across the globe take their recruitment to the next level and stay ahead of the curve.

Turn top talent to employees fast

Hire, assess, onboard and manage top talent for every job. See how Elevatus streamlines everything; from acquire to new hire.

Request a demo