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How to Pass a Recruiter Screen (What Recruiters Look For)

A Life After Layoff

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While you're answering questions in a screening interview, your recruiter is typing, and it's not what you think. As a corporate recruiter with 20+ years at Amazon, FedEx, and Korn Ferry, I'm breaking down exactly what's going into those notes, and why it matters way more than you'd expect.

Most people assume a recruiter is judging deep technical fit in that first call. They're not. They're building a case to get you to the next round, and what they write down tells you exactly what that case needs.

In this video: what a screening interview actually is, the five things going into a recruiter's notes, and what companies are really assessing when they say "scope and scale."

Thanks to Granola for sponsoring this video.

@granola_so

00:00 - Start
00:48 - Recruiters lack knowledge of the jobs
02:57 - 3 categories of candidate
05:04 - Granola, the AI meeting assistant
06:33 - 5 things we include in our notes
10:23 - Hidden assessments
12:40 - Wrap-up

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ABOUT THIS CHANNEL
I spent 20 years as a corporate recruiter hiring thousands of people into companies like Amazon, FedEx, Korn Ferry, and ABB. I teach what actually happens inside the hiring process — not what sounds good on LinkedIn.

If you are applying and hearing nothing back, getting interviews but not offers, or quietly planning your exit — you are in the right place.

This channel covers how recruiters really evaluate candidates, why doing everything right still fails, and how to build a career that gives you options.

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20 Comments

@Jupiterxice 1 month ago

These recruiters are a waste of my time and all they're doing is a check in the box metrics for them. They will hype you up and talk a good game but once you hand the resume too them or do the interview. You will never hear from them or they will ghost you.

@occupationalhazard 1 month ago

I never match the "context of the nuance". I simply wish that nuance was reflected in the job posting, so I don't waste my time applying.

@daverage4729 1 month ago

The nuance is really what bugs me as it turns the interview into a guessing game. Rather than ask 'Have you any experience with CRM software?' they'll ask 'Can you tell us about your IT skills?' Even if you thoroughly prepare and research the role and requirements, a lot of stuff like that can torpedo you chances of success.

@TheRealDoombox 1 month ago

“Then we say forget all that crap and outsource the work.”

@hypnos994 1 month ago (edited)

Its crazy so I just got hired on as a dining director for a nursing home. I applied for so many cook jobs and kitchen manager gigs. All corporate places and nothing. First place i apply that has a manager who looks at applicants boom call, interview and hired. And from my last gig where I was part of the hiring team. I chalk it up to the fact that if anyone besides the managers/department directors sees and has input during the hiring process its bad structure, recruiters and HR just dont have a clue what to look for in applicants unless its a bottom entry level job. Because they made it hard for me at my last place to get good people hired.

@SpicyLakeEffect 1 month ago

When I was in corporate, our HR department was the recruiter and I was the hiring manager. I gave HR about 5 questions they should ask possible candidates in a pre-screen. I also gave them the expected answers. In this way HR could do their thing but I gave them some basic tech questions. In general, HR goes over their usual q&a, wants to see if you can explain your resume, describe your roles, listen and converse well. It’s also true about “vibe”. There were times we went with a possibly less technically qualified candidate because the person impressed us with related capabilities.

@shanelochlannblack 1 month ago

Serious question: Do you honestly believe anyone takes job interviews seriously any more?

@FootTraffic 1 month ago

I assumed they were playing Tetris.

@observer698 4 weeks ago

Yes, I love Granola

@refan0140 1 month ago

love it bryan! just got an offer the other day, i always refer to your content when im in between roles!

@phishhead231 1 month ago

This is great interview preparation!

@lg3103 1 month ago (edited)

For senior-level roles, it is usually a more higher ranked HR/TA person who has knowledge of the "gives and takes" of the role vs. an entry level junior recruiter.

@brucelipsitz7545 1 month ago

I appreciate the insights, Brian. One of your better videos, IMO.

@izamalcadosa2951 1 month ago

Another great video, Bryan!

@ALifeAfterLayoff Creator 1 month ago

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@MrBrewman95 1 month ago

In healthcare at the hospital I recruit for, my pre-screens are 5-10 minutes. I ask about why they applied, if they have worked us to verify rehire eligibility, go over their experience, make sure they have the required work experience, degree and certifications we required by the job title, comp expectations and lastly the best time the hiring manager can call them.

@MatthewWellman-ik4bo 1 month ago

I wish all recruiters were so competent. I'm with a staffing agency atm. In my most recent gig, the school they sent me to had NO idea I would be there. They liked me, so I got 2 weeks while they were trying to figure out what to do with me. 😂 It didn’t work out, even though admin liked me. The agency is (supposedly) looking for something else now. Meanwhile, I'm sending out applications on my own. It’s a total nightmare out there, I tell ya.

@RobRagusa-g7k 1 month ago

Even when I have recruiters share a job posting I suspect I don't fit I meet with them if they are an outside recruiter. Because it is making a connection and I may fit something else that comes into they purview. I had a screening call that was VERY nuanced. They wanted someone who has coded modern programming languages and had experience as a Product Owner. A rarity in my experience unless you find a programmer who is done programming. I met with the recruiter anyway.

It is worth it because I can't tell you how many recruiters I am honest with that reach out to me later for a position that fits me better. DO NOT give up if a recruiter gives you a job description you want to disqualify yourself from. Get yourself on their radar and be honest. BUILD YOUR NETWORK.

@LordMajicus 1 month ago

The problem with the coins is the angle of the light. You have to be careful to not reflect the light from the source off the coins directly into the camera.

@ctmdarkonestm 1 month ago

in prior job searches, my rate of recruiter screens becoming interviews was above 90%. This time around, it's like 10%. given the environment, difficult to tell if i'm doing something wrong or the glut of applicants is just that big.