A recruiter’s job is to find potential candidates for the firm. Part of this responsibility includes filtering out candidates that do not meet the firm’s hiring criteria. Whether you are connected through a prior colleague or were contacted directly, the recruiter will be making a yes or no decision based on your first interaction (i.e., a ‘screening’ call). That’s why making a good first impression is key. Have your story down and be able to walk through your resume and relevant experience. Be prepared to articulate how your experience is relevant to the role and how it qualifies you for a position. Additionally, spend time researching the company beforehand and create a list of questions to ask during the call.