How do you screen a candidate effectively in a 15-minute telephonic interview?

A telephonic screening interview is a rapid, structured 15-to-20-minute qualification call conducted by a recruiter to evaluate basic role alignment before advancing a candidate to expensive hiring manager panels. Its primary objective is to verify fundamental requirements: communication skills, career motivations, core technical competency, current/expected compensation, location feasibility, and notice period constraints. In talent acquisition workflows, telephonic screening is the frontline gate that protects hiring manager productivity. Advancing an unvetted candidate who requires a salary double the approved budget or is locked into a non-negotiable 90-day notice period wastes hours of senior engineering time. An effective phone screen is crisp, professional, and candidate-centric.