Acing Your First Round Interviews: Strategies to Move Past the Initial Call

I worked with a client recently who passed 100% of the screening calls she booked...and it got me thinking about what made her successful.

Today I want to share some tips to help you ace your first round interviews and share common mistakes candidates make that get them disqualified.

In this competitive market many job seekers are having a hard time landing any interviews, so when you do book one it's even more important to do well.

Let's get right into it.

Learning to ace first round interviews can feel a bit like a game show. 

You’ve got to impress quickly, hit all the right notes, and leave a lasting impression before the real challenges begin.

This stage isn’t about showcasing every deep skill you’ve mastered; instead, it’s your chance to prove that you’re qualified, excited, and a good cultural fit.

Let’s break down some common pitfalls and key strategies that will help you pass more screening interviews.

Hint: You should be passing at least 1/3 of all screening calls you book.
 

Common Screening Interview Pitfalls to Avoid as a Candidate

If you’re not passing at least one in every three screening calls, it might be a sign that your approach needs fine-tuning.

Common mistakes job seekers make is either being underprepared and casually trying to “wing it,” or being over-prepared and talking too much during the interview.

Both can easily disqualify you. The trick is to find a perfect middle ground.

When you’re too relaxed, you risk coming off as disinterested or unprepared.

But if you try to cram every detail of your career into the conversation, you may overwhelm your interviewer or even appear disorganized.

Instead, focus on delivering a concise narrative.

Think of your screening call as a teaser trailer, enough to intrigue and invite a deeper conversation without giving away the entire movie.

The 4 Pillars of a Successful Screening Interview

Screening interviews have a specific checklist in mind:

1. Qualification:
   One of the main goals of the screening call is to ensure that your background matches the job requirements. Your skills, experiences, and achievements should clearly align with what the company is seeking. Keep your responses structured, highlighting only the most relevant aspects of your career.

2. Interest:
   You must demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the role. Employers want to know that you’re not just applying to every open position, but that you’re specifically drawn to their company and this role.

3. Active Career Moves:
   Companies want to make sure you are truly on the market and looking to make moves. Recruiters will often ask where you are in the job search process to gauge how quickly you are looking to switch jobs.

4. Cultural Fit:
   Beyond the hard skills, your personality and values should resonate with the company. Use your screening call to subtly weave in your personal work style and professional values to see how they align with the organization’s ethos.

Remember, these interviews are designed more for screening than for deep skill assessments.

It’s less about proving you can code or manage projects and more about establishing that you’re the kind of candidate worth exploring further.

Now that you know what a screening call is trying to accomplish, let's go over how to ace the call.
 

Communication: The Art of Telling Your Story

Screening interviews  (and really all other interviews) demand clear and engaging communication. Here’s how to ace that art:

• Be Concise:
  You only have a short window to showcase your value. Focus on key achievements, specific examples and relevant experiences. Remember the rule of 3 - only make 3 points max in any answer, more than that will be difficult to remember. Avoid rambling by rehearsing a succinct narrative that hits the highlights without overwhelming your listener. 

• Tell a Story:
  Humans are wired for stories. Instead of listing skills and accomplishments, share your journey. If you can share a short specific story with every answer it will greatly improve your interview skills. There are several answer frameworks that help with delivering your stories in a concise and compelling way.

• Show Enthusiasm:
  Energy is contagious. When you speak with genuine excitement about your past projects or future aspirations, it reassures the interviewer that you’re not just ticking boxes, you’re truly passionate and excited to explore this opportunity.

Keep in mind, poor communication can easily be misinterpreted.

For example, a quiet demeanor might be mistaken for shyness, while over-talking might come off as arrogance or lacking executive presence.

Striking the right balance in how you convey your experiences is crucial for successfully passing the screening call.

TL;DR

First round interviews are your golden ticket to the next stage of the hiring process.

They are less about exhaustive skill assessments and more about giving a snapshot of who you are professionally and personally.

By balancing your preparation, neither too little nor too much, you can make a strong, positive impression.

Remember:

• Prepare a compelling narrative. Rehearse your story until it flows naturally.

• Highlight your qualifications, genuine interest, career momentum, and cultural alignment.

• Practice concise, engaging communication that tells a story and radiates enthusiasm.

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Whenever you're ready, here are more ways I can help you in your job search: 

• Learn all the job search strategies I teach clients in this workbook.

• Apply for 1:1 coaching to see if there's a fit for us to work together.

• Get one-off coaching to sharpen your interview skills, book here.