Review the scorecard before the call to refresh your memory. Then begin the call by setting expectations, saying something like this: “I am really looking forward to our time together. Here’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to spend the first twenty minutes of our call getting to know you. After that, I am happy to answer any questions you have so you can get to know us. Sound good?” Candidates will almost always agree to that plan. If they are interested enough in the job to talk with you, they’ll go with whatever you propose. Now you can launch right into the screening interview questions.
