Not a Deloitte recruiter, but I've worked alongside their talent acquisition team on a shared client project and I've referred a handful of people through their process. Going to share what I know.
The recruiter screen at Deloitte is not a checkbox call. They're doing real screening and a few things matter more than candidates think.
What they literally ask Walk me through your background (have a 2-minute version) Why Deloitte specifically, and why this practice Are you open to travel (this is non-negotiable for client delivery roles, usually 20-80% depending on project) Current location and relocation willingness Work authorization status (for clearance-eligible roles) Salary expectations (they will ask)
The travel question This is the one that surprises people. Deloitte tech consulting is still a lot of client-site work, especially on government and financial services engagements. If you say you're travel-averse and the role is a 4-day client-site model, you will likely get screened out. Know what you're signing up for before the call.
The "why Deloitte" trap Don't say "I like the culture" or "Deloitte has great growth opportunities." They hear this 40 times a day. Be specific about the practice area (Government & Public Services, Financial Services, Tech Strategy, whatever). Say something about the type of work, the scale of systems, the client variety. Show you did research.
Salary expectations They ask. Have a number. For senior SWE consulting roles in major metros 2026, I've seen offers land in the $130-160K base range depending on practice and level. Know the band before you walk in or you'll lowball yourself.
What happens next If the screen goes well, expect a HireVue invitation within a week. The recruiter usually tells you timeline on the call. If they don't, ask. They respond to direct questions.