For cleared professionals, the recruiter phone screen is often the deciding factor in whether you move forward. In just 20–30 minutes, a recruiter is assessing one thing: alignment.
Stephanie Holman, a technical recruiter who has likely conducted hundreds, if not thousands of phone screens, joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to share her tips for job seekers.
How to Ace a Phone Screen
Here’s how to make it count.
1. Know What the Phone Screen Is (and Isn’t)
A phone screen isn’t a deep technical interview. Recruiters are confirming things like clearance eligibility, basic technical fit, communication skills, or location and salary alignment. Clear, honest answers matter more than trying to impress.
2. Be Ready to Talk About Your Clearance
Have your clearance details ready and accurate, and be ready for the recruiter to ask for your SSN to verify your clearance with their FSO. Avoid oversharing or guessing, and confirm the recruiter via ClearanceJobs.com if you are unsure about sharing your PII.
3. Keep Technical Answers Clear and Grounded
Explain what you actually worked on, the tools you used, and your role. Skip buzzwords and exaggeration. If you can explain your experience clearly to a recruiter, you’re doing it right.
4. Answer Alignment Questions Confidently
Questions about salary, location, and availability aren’t traps—they’re filters. Do your research, be honest about onsite requirements, and answer realistically.
5. Ask Smart Questions
Strong candidates ask about:
- Program stability
- Team structure
- Technical environment
- Clearance sponsorship or upgrades
Thoughtful questions show you understand cleared work.
What Gets You Moved Forward
Candidates advance when they show clear communication, honest self-assessment, preparation, and professional curiosity.
The phone screen isn’t a hurdle…it’s your first chance to stand out. Treat it like a partnership, and you’ll dramatically improve your odds of moving forward.
