1. The Initial Screening Usually conducted by a recruiter or HR representative, this is a 15–30 minute phone or video call. The goal is to verify the basics: your interest in the role, your salary expectations, and whether your resume accurately reflects your experience. 2. The Technical or Functional Interview This stage dives deep into your actual skills. Depending on your field, this might involve: Coding challenges or whiteboarding for engineers. Case studies for consultants or analysts. Portfolio reviews for creatives. Role-play scenarios for sales or customer success positions.