Candidate Call Back Rate

Candidate callback rate measures how many candidates respond to initial outreach calls compared to the total number of calls made. It’s a simple ratio that tells recruiters how effectively their phone outreach is converting into actual conversations.

The formula: divide the number of candidates who called back by the total number of outreach calls where a callback was requested, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage.

Callback Rate (%) = Candidate return calls ÷ Total outreach calls requesting a callback × 100

A higher callback rate indicates that outreach is reaching the right people with a compelling enough message to prompt a response. A low rate is worth investigating: it may point to poor targeting, an ineffective outreach script, or candidates being contacted through the wrong channel.