How to Prepare for a Recruiter Call (What We Actually Look For)

February 10, 2026

A recruiter call isn’t an interview… but it does matter more than most candidates realise.

This first conversation helps us understand who you are, what you want, and whether we can realistically help you land the right role. You don’t need to be perfect, but being prepared can make a huge difference.

Here’s what recruiters are actually listening for during that call, and how you can prepare without overthinking it.

1. A Clear (Not Perfect) Career Story

We’re not expecting a rehearsed speech, but we do want to understand:

  • What you’re doing now

  • How did you get there

  • What do you want next

If your career path isn’t linear, that’s fine. What matters is that you can explain your moves without sounding unsure or defensive.

Good preparation tip:
Be ready to answer this in 60–90 seconds:

“Can you talk me through your background?”

Focus on:

  • Your most recent roles

  • Key responsibilities

  • The direction you’re aiming for

2. Honesty About What You Want (and Don’t Want)

Recruiters aren’t mind readers and we’re not here to force you into the wrong role.

We’re listening for:

  • The type of role you want

  • Your ideal work environment

  • What would make you not take a job

That could be:

  • Salary expectations

  • Remote vs office preferences

  • Contract vs permanent

  • Career progression vs stability

Big tip:
Vague answers like “I’m open to anything” make it harder for us to help you. Clear preferences = better opportunities.

3. Basic Knowledge of Your Own CV

You’d be surprised how often candidates struggle to explain roles they’ve just left.

We’re not testing you, we just want consistency between:

  • Your CV

  • Your LinkedIn

  • What you tell us

Before the call, quickly refresh:

  • Dates of employment

  • Job titles

  • Key achievements

  • Reasons for leaving

If something needs explaining (short tenure, career gap, career change), own it calmly.

4. Realistic Salary Expectations

Salary comes up early for a reason; it saves everyone time.

We’re looking for:

  • A realistic range (not a single number)

  • An understanding of your market value

  • Transparency about deal-breakers

If you’re unsure:

  • Say that

  • Ask for guidance

  • Be open to feedback

5. Your Availability & Commitment Level

We’ll usually ask:

  • Notice period

  • Interview availability

  • How actively are you job hunting

This isn’t about pressure, it helps us manage employer expectations and timelines.

If you’re:

  • Casually looking

  • Actively interviewing

  • Only open to something exceptional

Say so. Honesty beats overpromising every time.

6. Professionalism (Not Perfection)

You don’t need:

  • A suit

  • A script

  • Corporate buzzwords

But we do notice:

  • Turning up on time

  • Being somewhere quiet

  • Clear communication

  • Basic enthusiasm

7. Questions That Show Engagement

One of the biggest green flags? Good questions.

Examples recruiters love:

  • “What’s the market like for someone with my background?”

  • “What do employers value most right now?”

  • “What would strengthen my profile?”

It shows you’re serious, curious, and invested in your next move.

Final Thoughts

A recruiter call isn’t about impressing us; it’s about alignment.

When you’re clear, honest, and prepared, we can:

  • Represent you properly

  • Match you with the right roles

  • Advocate for you with confidence

And that’s when recruitment actually works.

Please give our friendly team a call today to talk about your career options at 0151 556 2090, or email info@everpoolrecruitment.com with your CV and requirements.