What the screener is checking
Your story fits the role
Can you explain, in about two minutes, how your experience leads to this job?
Real interest
You know what the company does and why this role, not just any role.
Level and scope
That your past scope (team size, budget, decisions) matches what they're hiring for.
No surprises
Location, start date, work authorization and pay range are in the same neighborhood.
How to prepare
Write a two-minute story
Where you are now, the two or three moves that matter, and why this role is the logical next one. Practice it out loud until it's natural, not memorized.
Prepare "why this company"
One thing about the product or market you find compelling, and one way your experience helps with a problem they likely have.
Have your numbers ready
Know your target range and your floor before the call. If asked first, you can ask for their range, or give a range based on market research for the level.
Ask about the process
Who you'd meet, how many rounds, the timeline, and what the team most needs this hire to fix.
Common misses
The ten-minute life story
A long chronological walkthrough loses the screener. Lead with what's relevant to this role.
A number too early, too low
Naming a figure before you know the level and range can anchor you below what the role pays.
Treating it as a formality
Recruiters advocate for the candidates they like. Make it easy for them to pitch you.
Worked example
Walk me through your background.
- Opens with the present: "I lead product for payments at a mid-size fintech, a team of eight PMs."
- Picks two earlier moves that explain it, each in a sentence.
- Connects to the role: "You're scaling payments into new markets, which is what I did last year."
- Stops at about two minutes and invites a question.