not a Bain employee but i've placed a few people there and prepped probably a dozen candidates for their screens. sharing what i've seen consistently.
the Bain recruiter phone screen for tech roles is 30 minutes and mostly logistical, but there are a few things that actually matter for the debrief the recruiter writes.
what they cover: your background summary (keep it to 2 minutes, they don't want a life story) why Bain specifically. this one matters more than candidates think. 'i'm interested in the intersection of technology and management consulting' lands better than 'i saw it on LinkedIn.' work authorization and start date understanding of the role. they will literally ask if you know the difference between the tech org and the consulting side. candidates who conflate the two raise a flag. salary expectations. sometimes asked, sometimes not. if asked, give a range.
the debrief: the recruiter writes notes that go into your file. whether you came across as curious, prepared, and clear-headed matters. they're not grading you on technical depth here but first impressions of communication style and self-awareness carry further than people expect.
things that have tripped up candidates i've worked with: talking for 8 minutes on background instead of 2 not being able to articulate why Bain over other consulting tech shops hedging on start date when they ask a direct question
treat the recruiter screen as a soft data point they're entering into a system, not just a scheduling call. because that's exactly what it is.