Define the term "pre-screening" in recruitment.

Pre-screening is a critical step in the recruitment process that involves evaluating a candidate's qualifications and suitability for a position before inviting them to participate in more formal interviews. This process typically includes a review of resumes, application forms, and possibly an initial screening call or questionnaire designed to gather foundational information about the candidate’s skills, experience, and fit for the role.

The objective of pre-screening is to streamline the hiring process by identifying those candidates who meet the essential criteria, allowing recruiters to focus their time on the most promising individuals. This step helps to minimize the workload associated with interviewing candidates who may not be suitable, focusing resources on high-potential applicants who align closely with the job requirements.

The other options do not accurately define pre-screening: having an informal chat addresses preliminary engagement but lacks the structured assessment aspect; a final review before making offers denotes a more advanced stage in the recruitment process, while a process for employee feedback is unrelated to the candidate evaluation phase, focusing instead on input regarding current employees.