How to prepare for a recruiter screening call
Here's the uncomfortable truth: the recruiter isn't deciding if you're good. They're deciding if you're easy to say yes to.
They can't judge your code or your campaigns. They can judge whether your story is clear, your salary is in range, and nothing about you will surprise their hiring manager.
So let's listen in. Meet Sam, applying for a product analyst role.
A screening call, line by line
Recruiter: "So, tell me a bit about yourself."
Sam: "Sure. So I did economics at uni, then joined a bank, then..."
What the recruiter hears: Here we go. The autobiography.
They wanted 60 seconds ending in "and that's why this job". Here's how to fix this answer.
Recruiter: "What's drawing you to us?"
Sam: "I've heard great things about the culture."
What the recruiter hears: Hasn't looked at us.
One real fact beats any enthusiasm: "You launched self-serve pricing in March. I'd love to work on the data behind decisions like that."
Recruiter: "What are your salary expectations?"
Sam: "Um... I'm flexible. Whatever's fair?"
What the recruiter hears: I can't put this in my notes.
"Flexible" feels safe but forces the recruiter to guess, usually against you. Say: "For this kind of role I'm seeing 12 to 14 lakh. Is that in line with your range?"
Recruiter: "I see a gap between your last two roles?"
Sam: "Oh, yeah, so, it's a long story, my manager left and..."
What the recruiter hears: There's a problem here.
Gaps don't worry recruiters. Nervous explanations do. One calm sentence: "My team was cut in a reorg, so I took four months to finish a SQL course."
Recruiter: "Any questions for me?"
Sam: "No, I think you've covered everything!"
What the recruiter hears: Not that interested.
Ask: "Is there anything in my background you'd like me to clarify for the hiring manager?" It surfaces doubts while you can still fix them. More questions here.
What should you prepare before the call?
Sam wasn't a weak candidate, just unprepared for a call that sounded casual. The 30-minute fix:
- Write the recruiter's notes for them. Three lines: who you are, your best result, why this role. Steer every answer back to them.
- Say your salary sentence out loud once. Saying a number out loud beforehand makes it far easier to say on the call. (How to practise out loud.)
- Find one specific fact about the company: a launch, a hire, a blog post.
- Turn every awkward topic into one sentence. Gap, short job, career change.
- Sticky note: notice period, right to work, remote preference.
What should you avoid?
- Taking the call somewhere noisy. A café or a moving car makes every answer harder to hear.
- Saying "I'm flexible" on salary. Give a researched range.
- Criticising your current employer. Recruiters pass it straight to the hiring manager.
- Reading out your resume. They have it open. Tell them what isn't on it.
- "No questions." It sounds like low interest, even when it isn't.
Quick answers
How long is a recruiter screening call?
Usually 15 to 30 minutes. Keep each answer to 30–60 seconds so there's time for your questions.
Should I give a salary number on a screening call?
Yes, give a researched range rather than refusing. Refusing makes the recruiter guess, often against you. You can ask for their range first.
What questions does a recruiter ask on a screening call?
Expect "Tell me about yourself", "Why this company?", salary expectations, notice period, right to work, and any gaps or short jobs on your resume.
How do I explain a gap on a screening call?
In one calm sentence that says what happened and what you did, then move on. Don't apologise or tell the whole backstory.
What should I ask a recruiter at the end?
Ask about the process, why the role is open, and whether there's anything in your background they'd like you to clarify.
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