AI Phone Screen Preparation:
Get Past the First Round
Phone screens filter candidates quickly.
Learn what recruiters and hiring managers evaluate and how to advance confidently.
Phone Screens Are
Your First Hurdle
You're not sure what to expect from AI-specific phone screens versus general SWE screens.
You struggle to explain your AI experience concisely without rambling.
You don't know what questions to ask or how to evaluate if the role is right.
Pass Phone Screens Consistently
The World-Class AI Engineer Cohort
Phone screens assess baseline fit: experience relevance, communication skills, and enthusiasm. Be concise, relevant, and prepared with good questions.
Prepare Your Pitch
2-3 minute overview of your background and AI experience
Know the Company
Research their AI products, tech stack, and recent news
Have Questions Ready
3-5 thoughtful questions about the role, team, and AI work
Test Your Setup
Check audio, find a quiet space, have resume and notes visible
Meet Your Mentor
My aim has been the same for years: become a world-class AI engineer. Every career move I've made has been measured against that.
I started as a software tester on a $500/month internship in the Netherlands. Taught myself to code, learned to ship real systems, and worked my way to Senior Engineer at GitHub.
Then I left GitHub. I joined an AI research lab as Member of Technical Staff, where I currently build products for secure AI monitoring.
The cohort draws directly from my real experience so you can make progress fast.
I run this special cohort with only a few people because hands-on work with me is what it takes to bring you to become a world-class AI engineer.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Built and deployed his portfolio piece, then landed the AI role
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
8 Weekly Tuesday Sessions
3 hours each for 24 live hours total.
Project Scoping at Kickoff
We set the scope of what you'll ship and the milestones to get there before the live sessions start.
Code Reviews
Reviews of your code from Zen during the cohort.
Lifetime Demo Access
Every architecture demo is recorded and yours to keep.
Demo Day
You present what you built and get feedback from Zen, with a recording you can use in your portfolio.
12 Months Community Access
Included with the cohort.
Phone Screens Are Quick Filters. Make Every Minute Count.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions are commonly asked in AI phone screens?
Common questions: Tell me about yourself and your AI experience, Why are you interested in this role?, Walk me through a recent AI project, What's your experience with [specific tech]?, What are you looking for in your next role?, What's your timeline and salary expectations? Be ready for both high-level background questions and specific technical probes based on your resume.
How do recruiter vs. hiring manager phone screens differ?
Recruiter screens focus on: experience fit, timeline, salary expectations, and basic qualifications. They're gatekeepers, not technical evaluators. Hiring manager screens go deeper: specific project discussions, technical judgment questions, team fit assessment. For recruiter screens, be clear and concise. For hiring manager screens, be ready for technical depth while still being conversational.
How do I explain my AI experience in phone screens?
Use a simple structure: (1) Your background in 1-2 sentences, (2) How you got into AI, (3) 2-3 specific AI projects/skills with brief outcomes, (4) What you're looking for now. Example: 'I've been a software engineer for 5 years. Two years ago I started building LLM applications. I've shipped a RAG-based support system that reduced ticket volume by 40%. I'm looking for a role focused on AI product development.' Keep it under 3 minutes.
What questions should I ask in AI phone screens?
Good questions: What does the AI team work on day-to-day?, What's the biggest challenge facing the AI team?, How is AI work evaluated and prioritized?, What's the tech stack for AI projects?, What does the interview process look like? Avoid: questions about vacation policy, remote work flexibility (save for later), or anything easily found on their website. Show you've done research.
Should I send a follow-up after an AI phone screen?
Yes—a brief email within 24 hours: thank them for their time, mention one specific thing you discussed, reiterate your interest. Keep it to 3-4 sentences. This is professional courtesy, not desperate. If you haven't heard back within their stated timeline + 2-3 days, one polite follow-up is appropriate. After that, move on.
How long do AI phone screens typically take?
Recruiter screens: 15-30 minutes. Hiring manager screens: 30-45 minutes. Prepare for the longer end so you're not caught off-guard. If the call is scheduled for 30 minutes, the interviewer will manage time. Don't check the clock—focus on the conversation.
I've signed up for cohorts before and dropped out. How is this different?
It probably isn't, and you should hold the money. Most cohort dropouts are people who couldn't articulate what they were shipping when they signed up. That's why the consult exists, and why I turn down most applications. If we get on the call and you can't tell me what you'll have shipped at the end of week 8, I'll point you to the AI Native Engineer community until you can.
I'm not pivoting careers. I want to build a product. Does this still work?
Yes, the cohort works for people shipping their first serious AI system whether the goal is to land a senior role or to launch a product. The shipped system serves both equally well.
Do I need prior AI experience?
You need to be able to code in Python or TypeScript. Complete beginners can follow the classroom they get access to before the cohort sessions to come in well-prepared.
What does it cost?
It's a four-figure investment that we discuss during the 30-minute consult, alongside whether the cohort is the right fit for your project.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes, most attendees do. The live session is one Tuesday a week and the async work fits around your existing schedule, as long as you can carve out roughly 6 hours a week.
I accept those who have the highest chance of success.
In the 30-minute call we discuss your goals and whether you are ready for the program.