# How to pass a recruiter screening

> The first call with a recruiter takes 15–30 minutes and decides whether you move on. There are almost no technical tasks, just a few predictable questions.

Source: https://autoapply.edinstvenij.cc/en/blog/recruiter-screening · Updated: 2026-10-29

## What the recruiter checks

- Whether your experience matches the job (stack, years, level).
- Salary and work format expectations.
- Your English level, if the job needs it.
- Motivation: why you are looking and why this company.
- Timing: when you can start.

## Common questions and how to answer

- **"Tell me about yourself"**: 1–2 minutes with years of experience, stack, your last project and your part in it. Not a life story.
- **"Why are you looking?"**: honestly and without complaining about your employer: "I want more backend work", "the project is ending".
- **"What are your salary expectations?"**: give a range you would accept and clarify what it means (before or after tax, which currency).
- **"When can you start?"**: a real date, usually 2–4 weeks.
- **"Any questions for us?"**: ask about the team, the interview process and the first months' work.

## How to prepare in 15 minutes

- Reread the job post and mark 2–3 requirements you have examples for.
- Practise a short story about yourself out loud.
- Decide your salary range in advance.
- Open your CV: the recruiter will ask about what is in it.

## The English part

If the job needs English, the recruiter may switch to it mid-call. Practise talking about yourself and your last project in English. You can run a mock interview for the exact job in your own AI chat: AutoApply builds the prompt for free.

## FAQ

### Can I avoid naming a salary first?

You can ask for the job's budget, but recruiters often still want your number. Better to have a range ready.

### How long to wait for an answer after screening?

Usually a few days. After a week it is fine to ask for an update briefly.

## Read next

- [How to prepare for a technical interview](https://autoapply.edinstvenij.cc/en/blog/interview-prep.md): A plan to prepare for a technical interview: the stages of IT interviews, common questions, talking about your projects, practising with AI for a specific job.
- [How to write a cover letter for an IT job](https://autoapply.edinstvenij.cc/en/blog/cover-letter-it.md): How to write a cover letter for an IT job that gets read: a three-part structure, examples for Djinni and DOU, and common mistakes.
- [Faster applications on Robota.ua](https://autoapply.edinstvenij.cc/en/robota-ua.md): How to apply to IT jobs on Robota.ua faster: AutoApply picks jobs by your filters and fills in the application form with your letter and CV.

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