Candidate Screening Specialist - Build Teams That Actually Work

HFBAC (Hiring For and Building Awesome Companies); Remote; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Part time

Job summary

A UK-based recruitment consultancy is seeking a Candidate Screening Specialist to assess candidates based on cultural fit using the unique Chemistry First methodology. The role involves conducting targeted interviews and documenting candidate assessments, with part-time hours of 20 per week, starting at £600/month. Ideal candidates are experienced in recruitment, reliable, and able to work within UK hours. This position offers a flexible growth path to full-time and involves using advanced AI tools for efficiency.

Benefits

Growth path to full-time

Work from home flexibility

Potential training opportunities

Qualifications

• 2+ years recruitment, HR, or talent acquisition experience.
• Proven experience conducting candidate interviews.
• Available UK hours (11am-7pm SAST) with reliable internet.

Responsibilities

• Screen candidates for Chemistry First fit so founder only talks to top candidates.
• Conduct focused interviews asking targeted questions.
• Document assessments and tag candidates in system.

Skills

Empathy

Listening

Interviewing

Communication

Tools

Granola.ai

Job description

Candidate Screening Specialist - Build Teams That Actually Work

Tired of high-volume recruitment where you're just a CV-shuffling machine?

Want to actually assess whether humans will work well together, not just check boxes?

Here’s What Most Recruitment Roles Won’t Tell You:

Most agencies care about one thing: filling seats fast. You’ll do 50+ calls a day, never get to know candidates, and watch 80% of your placements fail within 6 months because ‘culture fit’ was an afterthought.

We do the opposite.

HFBAC is a UK-based boutique consultancy helping bootstrapped founders build Chemistry First teams. We don’t place hundreds of people. We place the RIGHT people – and they stay.

You’ll conduct 40‑50 interviews per week, but these are 20‑25 minute focused conversations (not 1‑hour slogs). AI tools handle the admin. You focus on chemistry.

💷 The Numbers (Because You Deserve Transparency)

Starting:
£600/month (R11,000/month) for 20 hours/week
Rate: R22‑24/hour – above market for part‑time recruiting work
Payment: Monthly via Wise transfer to your SA bank account
(Ideal) Start Date: January 13 2026

Growth Options (Month 4+):

Path A – Go Full‑Time:
£1,000‑1,200/month (R19,000‑23,000/month) for 40 hours/week

Path B – Stay Part‑Time, We Hire Your Partner:
You stay 20 hrs/week, we hire second part‑timer, you train them and split workload

Decision based on search volume, your preference, Helen’s profit. We’ll discuss Month 3.

🎯 What You’ll Actually Do (Not Recruiter Fluff)

Your Main Job:
Screen candidates for Chemistry First fit so Helen (founder) only talks to the top 3 per search.

The Interview Process You’ll Run (20‑25 minutes):

• 3 mins: Build genuine rapport (not fake corporate small talk)
• 15 mins: Chemistry First questions (motivation, values, work style, red flags)
• 3 mins: Answer their questions honestly
• 2 mins: Wrap up professionally

Example Questions You’ll Ask:

• ‘Why THIS startup specifically? What resonates with you about their stage/culture?’
• ‘Describe your ideal work environment. Where do you thrive?’
• ‘This role is fully remote, ambiguous, and fast‑paced. How does that sit with you?’
• ‘Tell me about working with someone whose style was totally different from yours. How did you handle it?’

After Each Interview:

• Review recording in Granola.ai (AI captured everything – you don’t take notes during call)
• Create 3‑5 min highlight clip showing their best responses
• Write brief assessment (300‑500 words): Strengths, concerns, Chemistry First evaluation
• Tag in system: Advance / No / On the Fence

Weekly Volume:

• Week 1‑2: 15‑20 interviews (ramping up)
• Week 3+: 40‑50 interviews/week at full capacity

Your Interview Capacity:

• 15 hours interviewing per week
• 20‑25 mins per interview
• = 40‑50 interviews/week possible

❌ This Role Is NOT For You If:

You want to do traditional 1‑hour behavioural interviews
You prefer checking CVs over assessing chemistry
You need constant validation and hand‑holding
You can’t handle 8 video calls in a day without burning out
You’re uncomfortable giving honest feedback (‘This candidate isn’t a fit and here’s why…’)
You want a ‘log hours, go home’ job with zero thinking required
You’re based outside South Africa (we need SA timezone and accent for UK brand)

✅ This Role IS For You If:

You’re a natural listener (you hear what’s NOT being said)
You can spot red flags in the first 5 minutes of conversation
You’re comfortable with high volume but obsessed with quality
You love helping people find roles where they’ll actually thrive
You’re empathetic but honest (kind to candidates, truthful with clients)
You want to learn a unique methodology (Chemistry First) not used elsewhere
You’re self‑directed and don’t need daily check‑ins

🚀 Why HFBAC?

Real Impact: Your recommendations directly shape founding teams. When you say ‘Yes,’ it matters.

UK Client: Work with a UK consultancy (looks great on CV, exposure to professional practices).

Chemistry First Methodology: Learn our proprietary assessment framework – it’s based on Helen’s 8 years as BBC sports commentator observing that winning teams have chemistry, not just talent.

AI‑Powered: Granola.ai records everything. You focus on chemistry, not frantically scribbling notes.

Growth Path: Start part‑time, grow to full‑time OR train second hire and build redundancy. Your choice.

Autonomy: After 2‑week training, Helen trusts you completely. She only spot‑checks 2‑3 recordings/week.

Values‑Driven: We care about placing people in roles where they’ll succeed long‑term, not hitting arbitrary monthly targets.

Stability: Helen has 20+ years recruitment experience. This isn’t a flash‑in‑the‑pan startup.

📋 What We Need From You

Essential:

• 2+ years recruitment, HR, or TA experience
• Proven experience CONDUCTING candidate interviews (not just being interviewed)
• Native or near-native English (British accent preferred)
• Comfortable on video 6‑8 hours per day
• Available UK hours (11am‑7pm SAST / 9am‑5pm GMT)
• Based in South Africa with reliable internet (20+ Mbps) + backup power
• Professional home workspace for video calls

Bonus Points:

• Agency recruitment background (high‑volume, fast‑paced)
• UK/European client experience
• Startup or scale‑up recruitment (not just corporate)
• Behavioural interviewing background
• ATS experience (Recruiterflow, Greenhouse, Lever)

🎓 Training & Onboarding

Week 1 (Jan 13‑17):
Chemistry First intensive – shadow Helen on 10+ interviews, learn framework

Week 2 (Jan 20‑24):
Co‑interview with Helen (you lead, she guides and gives feedback)

Week 3+ (Jan 27+):
Fully independent – Helen spot‑checks 2‑3 recordings/week

Helen invests heavily in training. You’ll have her full attention Weeks 1‑2.

📅 Working Pattern

Hours:
20 hours/week (flexible scheduling within UK business hours)

Core Hours:
11am‑7pm SAST (9am‑5pm GMT) when UK candidates are available

Typical Week:
15 hours interviewing + 2 hours XInterview.ai review + 2 hours candidate check‑ins + 1 hour admin

Weekly Rhythm:

• Monday‑Thursday: Conduct 8‑10 interviews per day
• Friday: 30‑min check‑in with Helen (calibrate assessments, discuss patterns)
• Weekends: Off (unless you prefer weekend hours – we’re flexible)

💬 How to Apply

This is a critical hire for us. We have a thorough process.

Please submit:

1. Your CV/Resume

2. Cover Letter (300‑400 words) answering:
• Why are you interested in candidate screening for UK startup clients?
• Describe your most successful candidate assessment – someone you interviewed who became a great hire. What made them stand out?
• What’s your approach to assessing culture fit vs. just checking skills?
• Confirm: Available UK hours (11am‑7pm SAST) with reliable internet + backup power?

3. Voice/Video Sample (60‑90 seconds using Loom, Vocaroo, or any recording tool):
• Introduce yourself
• Explain why you’d be excellent at screening candidates for Chemistry First fit
• This is make‑or‑break. We need to hear your accent, warmth, and professionalism.

4. Work Sample (Optional but Strongly Preferred):
• Example of candidate assessment you’ve written
• Interview questions you typically ask in screening calls
• Any frameworks you use for behavioural interviews

Applications without the video sample will not be considered.

📍 About HFBAC

HFBAC (Hiring For and Building Awesome Companies) is a UK‑based boutique recruitment consultancy specializing in founding team builds for bootstrapped startups and scale‑ups.

We use our Chemistry First methodology to help founders hire for culture fit, not just CV. We’re not a high‑volume agency. We’re selective, relationship‑driven, and focused on long‑term success.

Helen Sanders (Founder) has 20+ years recruitment experience, including 8 years as BBC sports commentator where she learned that winning teams have chemistry, not just individual talent. She’s scaling from solo founder to team‑based model – you’re hire #2.

🙋 Questions?

Apply via the link
Start Date: January 13 2026
Application Deadline: November 29 2025
Interviews: December 9‑January 10

Apply now if you’re ready to assess chemistry, not just CVs.

HFBAC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.