Distinguish between a screening interview and a selection interview. A screening interviewer is only looking for facts and for a reason to reject your candidacy: His purpose is to weed out unacceptable candidates.This is often the case with a preliminary telephone interview, and is a situation where you should play not to lose.Be very careful to stick to facts, NOT opinions, be pleasant, and DON'T volunteer information for which the interviewer is not looking. Your only goal is to get past the screening interview and on the selection interview, where the hiring decision is made.NOTE: DON'T automatically dismiss personnel department interviews as screening interviews: They often have a say in the selection process.