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Stage 02 · Screening
The recruiter call
How to talk about salary, gaps, and "why us" without sounding rehearsed — in the half hour that decides whether there is a next round.
5 resources · 24 min read
In this stage
- 01Script5 minThe 90-second "tell me about yourself"Not your life story and not your CV read aloud. A three-beat answer that sets up the rest of the call.
- 02Script6 minThe salary question, answeredIt comes early, it is asked casually, and the number you say first tends to become the ceiling.
- 03Script4 min"Why us?" without the flatteryThey are not fishing for compliments. They are checking whether you will still want this in month nine.
- 04Guide5 minGaps, layoffs, and short stintsA sentence of explanation and a return to the work. Length is what makes these answers sound defensive.
- 05Checklist4 minWhat to listen for on the callThe screening call is your first and cheapest chance to find out whether this job is what it claims to be.
Further reading
Longer pieces from the journal on this stage.