7 Tips for Acing the Initial Screening Interview

7 Tips for Acing the Initial Screening Interview 7 Tips for Acing the Initial Screening Interview Sometimes, getting a foot in the door is actually the hard part. For many candidates, it's easier to demonstrate their worth through rounds of interviews than to break the initial barrier to land that coveted first conversation. As soon as you submit your  résumé  online, it officially enters the applicant tracking system â€" and poof! You  may feel like you’ll never be heard from again. Actually, recruiters actively search the ATS for candidates who meet their job requirements, so why not prepare yourself for a call you may very well get? This first call may be a make-it-or-break-it situation for candidates who don’t take it seriously. Sure, it’s a friendly introductory conversation about the company, but the goal is for the recruiter to sort through countless candidates on paper to make compelling cases for you to interview. Competition is fierce, so getting past this gatekeeper round is critical to interviewing success. 1. Don’t be so available. That’s right â€" don’t answer your phone. The purpose of the screening call is to ensure you meet the job requirements, but it’s also to ensure you’re coherent, enthusiastic and still looking for a new role. The recruiter may also want to find out your employment authorization status and if you require a visa. If you answer a call from an unrecognized number, it could be game over before it began. Maybe you’re at your desk in a cubicle environment only to find yourself whispering  inconspicuously. Or maybe you’re at  the pharmacy or local coffee shop during your lunch break. Reduce your chances of being frazzled and unprepared. Simply let the message go to voicemail and return the call within 24 hours. If the recruiter reaches out to you via email â€" even better! Respond with your availability to schedule a call. 2. Review the job description. Prior to calling back, thoroughly review the job description. If it’s no longer posted online, kindly ask the recruiter to email it to you so you may prepare for the call.  If you’re actively interviewing and applying for countless jobs, it’s easy to forget exact details of each one. Peruse details of the job so you can speak articulately about why you’re a fit. In doing so, review your résumé as well to talk specifically about your experiences and how they match the company’s employment needs. 3. Call from a quiet location. Do it on your terms. Instead of getting so excited that you return the call from the local drugstore, call from a conference room, your car or after hours at home. Once the call has been scheduled on the calendar, set aside at least 30 minutes to speak without any interruptions. 4. Learn about the company. Yes, looking for a job may feel tedious, but job searching 101 entails knowing what business the employer is in. Check out the media page on the company’s website to eyeball why it may have recently been in the news.Chances are, you won’t be grilled on the phone during a screener, but you should definitely know what they do. If anything, at least know how to properly pronounce the company name. If you’re not sure, call the main number and ask a receptionist for the pronunciation.5. Be timely with tests. Some positions require a test as part of the screening process. If a test is involved, set aside quiet time to focus and complete it as soon as possible. For example, administrative assistants may have an online test that takes an hour or two to complete. When a passing grade is mandatory to proceed to the next round, delaying the test just postpones the inevitable: proceeding to an office interview. 6. Be transparent. Make it easy for the recruiter to say yes to your candidacy. Be both flexible and transparent with your availability. If you’re going away on vacation the following week, mention it. This way, when the recruiters reach out to you and don’t get an immediate response, they’ll know why.  If you’re not available to interview until busy season is over, mention that as well. Be tactful about what you include as long as it’s relevant to the job and your availability.If you’re asked about a specific computer program that you don't know, do not lie. Never lie, but you can say you’re a quick learner and reference other programs you are proficient in. 7. Be enthusiastic. Let your enthusiasm shine! Try to build rapport on the phone without coming across as needy or desperate. Express interest in the company, and ask about the next steps and a potential timeframe. Also, if you don’t already have it from scheduling the interview, ask for the recruiter’s email address so you can follow up.