A preliminary interview is an interview done to shortlist potential candidates, in order to cut selection costs, by allowing only eligible candidates to go through to the further stages in the selection process. Questions asked include one's age, level of education, training, experience and pay expectations.

Preliminary or initial interview is often held in case of "at the gate" candidates. This interview is usually of a short duration and is aimed at obtaining certain basic information with a view to identifying the obvious misfits or unqualified. If the candidate seems to possess the basic minimum requirements for efficient job performance, he is given an application form for being filled out by him.