Prescreen and phone screen questions for small businesses

A short prescreen stops you from booking interviews with people who can't work the shifts or don't have the licence. Here's what to ask.

The basics (every role)

1. Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?
2. Which days and times are you available to work?
3. When could you start?
4. What pay are you looking for?
5. What interests you about this job?

Must-haves by role

Office administrator

• This role uses email, spreadsheets and documents every day. How comfortable are you with those?

Receptionist

• This role is the first point of contact by phone and in person all day. Does that suit you?

Bookkeeper

• Which accounting software have you used?
• Have you prepared GST/HST returns or payroll remittances?

Retail sales associate

• This job includes evenings and weekends. Can you work those shifts?
• This job involves standing for most of each shift. Can you do that, with or without accommodation?

Cashier

• Have you handled cash and card payments before?

Line cook

• Do you have a food handler or food safety certificate?
• This job includes evenings and weekends. Can you work those shifts?

Server

• Do you have responsible alcohol service training for this province?
• This job includes evenings and weekends. Can you work those shifts?

Dishwasher

• This job includes late closing shifts. Can you work those?

Barista

• This job includes early morning shifts. Can you work those?

Customer service representative

• How comfortable are you typing and using several computer programs at once?

Warehouse associate

• This role involves lifting up to 23 kg (50 lb). Can you do that, with or without accommodation?
• Do you have a current forklift certificate?

Delivery driver

• What class of driver's licence do you hold, and in which province?
• If we make an offer, can you provide a current driver's abstract?

See prescreen questions for all 78 roles

Do and don't

• Do ask about real job requirements, "with or without accommodation" for physical duties.
• Do ask everyone the same questions.
• Don't ask about age, family plans, health, religion or origin.
• Don't ask about criminal records unless the job involves vulnerable people, cash or driving, and then only as "If we make an offer, are you willing to provide a check?"

Questions