An email prescreen is a short written step between the application and the phone call. It confirms the basics before you invest interview time, and it is faster for candidates than a full questionnaire.
Email prescreen template
Subject: Next step: pre-screening call for [Job Title]
Hi [Candidate Name],
Thank you for applying for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We would like to schedule a short pre-screening conversation to learn more about your experience and answer initial questions about the role.
The call will take approximately [Duration] minutes. Please reply with your availability during [Time Window], including your time zone, or use this scheduling link: [Link].
Best, [Recruiter Name]
What an email prescreen should cover
Before sending the email, explain what the conversation covers and avoid turning a scheduling request into an unstructured questionnaire. A short message can confirm the role, expected duration, format, and the information the candidate should prepare.
Email prescreen questions to include
If written questions are necessary, keep them job-related and consistent across candidates. Useful topics include:
- Relevant experience
- Work authorization, where legally appropriate
- Availability to start
- Work model (on-site, hybrid, or remote)
- Compensation range
- One or two role-specific qualification questions
Tell the candidate when they should expect the next update.