What type of interview is used to screen out unsuitable applicants for a position?

The preliminary interview serves as an initial screening tool in the hiring process, primarily aimed at filtering out unsuitable candidates before they move further along in the selection procedure. This type of interview typically focuses on determining whether a candidate meets the basic qualifications for the position, including education, experience, and sometimes cultural fit.

By conducting preliminary interviews, employers streamline the recruitment process, making it more efficient. This step helps in reducing the pool of candidates to those who fit the essential criteria, allowing the hiring team to devote more time and resources to interviewing and evaluating more qualified individuals in subsequent rounds. This approach ensures that only candidates who have the potential to succeed in the role proceed to further, more in-depth evaluations, such as behavioral or competency-based interviews.