Recently VioResume team had an opportunity to interview a US full time recruiter. We discussed many topic related to job, interview and hiring process. We are going to share how to handle introductory pre screening call from the discussion we had. Unfortunately can can not use recruiter’s name and workplace for privacy reasons. Let’s see how a recruiter thinks when it comes to steering your first pre screening call.

This initial conversation with a recruiter can set the stage for your candidacy and pave the way for further interviews. In this article, I will share valuable tips to help you handle your first pre-screening call with confidence, professionalism, and poise.

1. Prepare Ahead of Time

Thorough preparation is key to a successful pre-screening call. Research the company, its industry, and the specific job you’re applying for. Familiarize yourself with the company culture, recent news, and any relevant projects or initiatives. Make a list of your skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the job requirements. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your suitability for the role.

2. Choose a Quiet Environment

Select a quiet, distraction-free environment for the call. Inform family members or roommates of the scheduled call, and politely ask them not to disturb you during that time. Turn off any devices or notifications that might interrupt the conversation. Good call quality and a quiet background will ensure that both you and the recruiter can focus on the discussion.

3. Dress Professionally

Even though the recruiter won’t see you during a phone call, dressing professionally can boost your confidence and make you feel more prepared. Wearing appropriate attire can help you get into the right mindset for a professional conversation.

4. Keep Your Resume and Job Description Handy

Have a printed or digital copy of your resume and the job description close by during the call. This will enable you to reference specific details and easily answer questions about your experiences, skills, and qualifications.

5. Listen Attentively and Speak Clearly

During the call, listen carefully to the recruiter’s questions and take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. Speak slowly, clearly, and confidently, ensuring that your answers directly address the questions asked. If you need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask the recruiter to repeat the question or provide more information.

6. Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the recruiter about the company, team, or role. This demonstrates your interest in the position and your eagerness to learn more. Avoid asking questions that can be easily answered by visiting the company’s website or reading the job description. Instead, focus on inquiring about company culture, team dynamics, or growth opportunities.

7. Follow Up with a Thank You Email

After the call, send a thank you email to the recruiter, expressing your gratitude for their time and consideration. Reiterate your interest in the position and highlight a specific point from the conversation that resonated with you. This thoughtful gesture will leave a positive impression and reinforce your enthusiasm for the role.

Conclusion

Handling your first introductory pre-screening call with recruiters is an essential step in your job search journey. By following these tips from a US expert recruiter, you can make a strong impression, showcase your professionalism, and increase your chances of moving forward in the recruitment process. Remember that thorough preparation, attentive listening, and thoughtful engagement are crucial to success during this important conversation

what is the Eisenhower matrix ?

The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Eisenhower Decision Matrix or the Time Management Matrix, is a time management and prioritization tool that helps you categorize tasks based on their importance and urgency. It was named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, who was known for his exceptional productivity and time management skills.

The matrix consists of a 2×2 grid, creating four quadrants:

1. Important and Urgent (Quadrant 1): These tasks require immediate attention and should be addressed first. Examples include emergencies, critical deadlines, or crisis situations.
2. Important but Not Urgent (Quadrant 2): These tasks are essential for achieving long-term goals but do not need immediate attention. Examples include strategic planning, relationship building, or personal and professional development. Focusing on these tasks helps prevent them from becoming urgent.
3. Not Important but Urgent (Quadrant 3): These tasks may appear to demand immediate attention but are not crucial to your long-term goals. Examples include interruptions, some meetings, or minor requests from others. Delegate these tasks whenever possible.
4. Not Important and Not Urgent (Quadrant 4): These tasks have the least impact on your goals and can often be time-wasters. Examples include excessive social media use, unproductive meetings, or trivial tasks. Minimize or eliminate these activities from your schedule.

How can it help me to set a stable career goal? let’s brake it down:

Title: Applying the Eisenhower Matrix for a Stable and Successful Career

Navigating to a successful career requires effective time management and the ability to prioritize tasks that will contribute to your long-term goals. The Eisenhower Matrix, a powerful prioritization tool, can be applied to various aspects of your professional life to help you achieve a stable and thriving career. In this article, we’ll explore how you can use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks and activities, leading to better decision-making, improved productivity, and ultimately, a more successful and stable career.

1. Setting Clear Career Goals

To apply the Eisenhower Matrix effectively, you must first establish clear career goals. These goals will help you identify tasks that are important and contribute to your long-term success. Consider your desired career path, the skills you need to develop, and the milestones you want to achieve within specific timeframes.

2. Categorizing Career-Related Tasks

Once you have your career goals in place, evaluate your current tasks and activities by categorizing them into the four quadrants of the Eisenhower Matrix:

• Important and Urgent: Focus on tasks that are both crucial to your career goals and require immediate attention, such as meeting deadlines for high-priority projects or responding to urgent client requests.
• Important but Not Urgent: These tasks contribute to your long-term career goals but don’t demand immediate action. Examples include networking, skill development, or planning your next career move. Schedule dedicated time for these activities to ensure consistent progress towards your goals.
• Not Important but Urgent: Delegate or minimize tasks that seem urgent but don’t contribute significantly to your career growth, such as attending non-essential meetings or responding to low-priority emails. Focus on investing your time in those activities that align with your career objectives.
• Not Important and Not Urgent: Identify and eliminate time wasting activities that don’t contribute to your career goals, like excessive social media browsing or unproductive multitasking. This will free up more time for tasks that truly matter for your career.

3. Prioritizing Tasks and Activities

Using the Eisenhower Matrix, prioritize tasks and activities in your daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. Allocate sufficient time to complete high-priority tasks (Quadrant 1) and consistently work on important but non-urgent tasks (Quadrant 2) to ensure steady progress towards your career goals.

4. Regularly Reassessing Priorities

Your career priorities may change over time as you gain new experiences, skills, or opportunities. Regularly review your career goals and the tasks in each quadrant of the Eisenhower Matrix. Adjust your priorities as needed to maintain alignment with your long-term objectives.

5. Monitoring Progress and Adapting

Track your progress towards achieving your career goals and analyze the effectiveness of your prioritization strategies. If you find that you’re not making the desired progress, reassess your priorities and make adjustments to your time management and task allocation.

Conclusion

By applying the Eisenhower Matrix to your career planning and daily activities, you can effectively prioritize tasks that contribute to your long-term success. This strategic approach to time management helps you maintain focus on your career goals, leading to a more stable and fulfilling professional life. Regularly reassess your priorities and adapt as necessary to ensure continued progress and growth in your chosen career.

Time management is a critical skill for anyone looking to excel in their professional life. It helps you achieve a healthy work-life balance, increase productivity, and reduce stress. Though mastering time management takes practice, there are some practical tips you can follow to improve your skills.

Here are five easy ways to enhance your time management skills in the office:

1. Prioritize Your Tasks

In your daily routine, some tasks hold more importance than others. Identifying these priorities is essential for effective time management. One method to help you prioritize is the Eisenhower Matrix, which assists in categorizing tasks based on their importance and urgency. By focusing on high-priority tasks, you’ll be better equipped to achieve your short-term and long-term goals.

2. Focus on One Task at a Time

Although multitasking might seem like a valuable skill, it can actually hinder your time management abilities. Research shows that multitasking can negatively affect your working memory and focus. Instead of juggling multiple tasks, concentrate on one task at a time to ensure optimal productivity.

3. Minimize Distractions

Distractions are inevitable, but they can seriously impact your time management skills. To minimize distractions, consider silencing your phone, creating a dedicated workspace, and communicating with family or coworkers to minimize interruptions. By eliminating distractions, you can maintain your focus and accomplish tasks more efficiently.

4. Learn to Say No

Taking on too many responsibilities can be counterproductive. Knowing your limits and setting boundaries on your workload will enable you to concentrate on the most crucial tasks. Learn to politely decline additional work when you’re already at capacity, explaining that you want to ensure the quality of your current tasks.

5. Utilize Time Management Apps

Technology can be a valuable tool in improving your time management skills. Apps like Rescuetime, Everhour, or Toggl Track can help you organize tasks, set reminders, and track the time spent on different activities. By monitoring your time usage, you can identify areas for improvement and optimize your daily schedule.

So you can enhancing your time management skills involves prioritizing tasks, focusing on one task at a time, minimizing distractions, setting boundaries, and leveraging technology. By implementing these strategies, you’ll enjoy reduced stress, better work-life balance, and increased productivity, ultimately helping you achieve your goals.

In 2023, the recommended length for a cover letter is still around one page. Ideally, your cover letter should be between 250 to 400 words. This length allows you to provide a concise and focused overview of your skills, experiences, and qualifications without overwhelming the reader or taking up too much of their time. Remember to tailor your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for and highlight the most relevant aspects of your background to demonstrate your fit for the position.

Here are examples of cover letters for 3 job sectors. Remember to customize each cover letter according to the specific job description and requirements.

1. Information Technology (IT) – Software Developer: [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Email Address] [Today’s Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Job Title] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Software Developer position at [Company Name] as advertised on [Job Portal]. With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and 3 years of experience in software development, I am confident in my ability to contribute to the innovative projects at [Company Name].

In my previous role at [Previous Company], I was responsible for developing and maintaining web applications using Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. I also collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement agile methodologies, resulting in a 20% increase in project delivery efficiency.

I am eager to bring my strong problem-solving skills and passion for software development to [Company Name]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

2. Marketing – Digital Marketing Specialist: [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Email Address] [Today’s Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Job Title] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

As a results-driven digital marketing professional with 5 years of experience, I am excited to apply for the Digital Marketing Specialist position at [Company Name] that I saw on [Job Portal]. My expertise in SEO, content creation, and social media management aligns with the requirements outlined in the job description.

In my recent role at [Previous Company], I managed a $50,000 annual digital marketing budget and executed campaigns that increased website traffic by 30% and generated a 25% increase in lead conversions. I am also Google Ads certified and experienced in using tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush to analyze and optimize campaign performance.

I am eager to contribute to the growth and success of [Company Name] by applying my digital marketing skills and experience. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

3. Healthcare – Registered Nurse: [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Email Address] [Today’s Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Job Title] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Registered Nurse position at [Company Name] posted on [Job Portal]. As a compassionate and dedicated nursing professional with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 4 years of experience in acute care settings, I am confident in my ability to provide exceptional patient care at [Company Name].

In my previous role at [Previous Company], I consistently maintained a high standard of care while managing a diverse caseload, including patients with complex medical needs. I am skilled in administering medications, developing care plans, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

I would be honored to join the dedicated healthcare team at [Company Name] and contribute to the well-being of the patients in your care. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further.

Sincerely, [Your Name]