The first call after you apply is often a short HR or recruiter screening. It checks basic fit: your experience, salary expectations, notice period, location and interest in the role. This guide lists the questions you are most likely to hear on that call, why HR asks each one, and sample answers you can adapt.
Got an HR call? Log it.
Move the job to the HR call stage in the free GradVix tracker and note what you discussed: CTC, notice period and next steps.
What is an HR screening call?
An HR or recruiter screening call is a short conversation, often over phone or video, that happens before technical or managerial interviews. The recruiter is checking whether your profile, expectations and availability fit the role closely enough to move you forward. It is not usually a deep test of skills, but a poor or inconsistent answer here can end the process early.
Calls can come from in-house HR teams or from recruitment consultants hiring for a client. If the caller is a consultant, it is fine to ask which company and role they are calling about.
Prepare before the call
- Know which job it is. Keep a record of the role, company, date applied and job description. If you cannot place the call, politely ask for the role and company name.
- Have your numbers ready. Current CTC (fixed and variable), expected CTC and your notice period. See our expected CTC and notice period guide.
- Reread your resume. Dates, titles and skills should match what you say.
- Prepare a 60-second introduction focused on the role you applied for.
- Find a quiet place with good network. If the call comes at a bad time, ask to call back at a specific time.
Introduction and background questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
Why HR asks: to hear a clear summary and judge communication.
I have three years of experience as a data analyst at a retail company in Hyderabad, where I build sales dashboards in Power BI and write SQL reports for regional managers. Before that I completed a B.Com and a data analytics certification. I applied for this role because it focuses on customer analytics, which is the area I want to grow in.
2. Walk me through your current role.
Why HR asks: to confirm your experience matches the job.
I handle weekly and monthly sales reporting for 40 stores. I own the dashboards end to end, from SQL queries to the Power BI reports, and I work with the regional managers to answer their questions on stock and sales trends.
3. What do you know about our company?
Why HR asks: to check genuine interest.
I know you operate in [industry] across [cities or markets] and that this team works on [area from the job description]. I read about [a recent product, launch or initiative], which is one reason this role stood out to me.
For a deeper version of these, see how to answer “Why should we hire you?”.
Job change questions
4. Why are you looking for a change?
Why HR asks: to check for red flags and fit.
I have learned a lot in my current role, but the work is mostly standard reporting. I want to move into customer analytics and work on problems like retention and segmentation, which is exactly what this role offers.
5. Why did you leave your last job? / Why the gap in your resume?
Why HR asks: to understand gaps or short tenures.
I took a break of six months to care for a family member. During that time I completed an SQL certification and kept practising on projects. I am now fully available and ready to join.
6. Are you interviewing with other companies?
Why HR asks: to judge urgency and the risk of you accepting elsewhere.
Yes, I am in early rounds with a couple of companies, but this role is one of my top preferences because of its focus on customer analytics.
7. Do you have an offer in hand?
Why HR asks: to plan timelines and salary discussions.
Yes, I have one offer and need to respond by the 28th. I would prefer this role, so I wanted to be transparent about the timeline. / No, I do not have an offer at the moment.
CTC and salary questions
8. What is your current CTC?
Why HR asks: to check whether the budget fits and to plan an offer.
My current CTC is 6.2 LPA, which includes 5.6 LPA fixed and about 0.6 LPA variable.
9. What is your expected CTC?
Why HR asks: to check the budget range.
Based on the scope of this role and what I have seen for similar roles in Hyderabad, I am looking for something in the range of 8 to 8.5 LPA. I am open to discussing it based on the overall offer.
10. Is your expected CTC negotiable?
Why HR asks: to see how firm your number is.
There is some flexibility depending on the fixed versus variable split and other benefits, but I would like the offer to reflect the responsibilities of the role.
The full guide, with fresher answers and how to calculate your number, is in how to answer expected CTC and notice period questions.
Notice period questions
11. What is your notice period?
Why HR asks: to check when you can join.
My notice period is 60 days as per my contract. I can check with my manager about an early release, but I would plan on 60 days to be safe.
12. Can you join earlier? Is your notice period negotiable?
Why HR asks: urgent roles may need early joiners.
I can request an early release once I have a written offer. My company has allowed early release before when work was handed over properly, but I cannot promise it until I speak to them.
13. Are you serving your notice period?
Yes, I resigned on 1 October and my last working day is 30 November. / No, I am currently employed and will resign once I accept an offer.
Location, shifts and logistics
14. Are you open to relocation?
Yes, I am open to relocating to Pune for this role. / I would prefer Hyderabad, but I am open to relocation for the right opportunity.
15. Are you comfortable with rotational or night shifts?
Yes, I have worked in a rotational shift before and I am comfortable with it. / I would prefer general shifts. Could you share what the shift pattern looks like for this role?
16. Are you okay with work from office?
Yes, I am comfortable working from the office. Could you confirm how many days a week are expected?
17. Do you have all your documents (relieving letters, payslips, certificates)?
Yes, I have relieving letters from my previous employers, my last three payslips and my education certificates.
HR call questions for freshers
18. Why should we consider you without experience?
In my final-year project I built a sales forecasting model in Python with my team, and during my internship I prepared weekly Excel reports for the operations team. I learn quickly and I am ready to start with the training you provide.
19. Are you open to a service agreement or bond?
Could you share the details of the agreement, such as the duration and conditions? I would like to understand it fully before confirming.
20. When can you join? Have you completed your degree?
I have completed my final exams and my results are expected in June. I can join immediately after that, or earlier with my provisional certificate if that is accepted.
21. What salary do you expect as a fresher?
As a fresher I am mainly looking for the right learning opportunity. I would expect a package in line with your standard range for this role.
Questions to ask HR at the end of the call
- What are the next steps and how many rounds are there?
- Who would I be reporting to, and how large is the team?
- Is the role work from office, hybrid or remote?
- What is the budget range for this role?
- When can I expect to hear back?
The last question gives you a clear date to follow up on. Our follow-up message guide has ready-made messages.
Is your resume ready for the next round?
Check your resume against the job description before the technical interview, and keep every application stage in one place.
After the HR call
- Write down what you said: CTC numbers, notice period, relocation answer and any dates.
- Note the next steps and the timeline HR gave you.
- Send a short thank-you by email or the channel HR used, confirming key details.
- Update your tracker and set a follow-up date. See the job application tracker guide.
- Prepare for the next round using the job description. Practise with our STAR interview examples.