I'm not at Genentech but I have a friend there and I've recruited for similar large biotech companies. The recruiter phone screen structure at companies like this is pretty standardized. Let me tell you what to expect so you're not caught off guard.
First: it's not an HR checkbox. Genentech recruiters go deeper than "verify you're a human." A Genentech phone screen is typically 30-45 minutes and covers:
1. Work authorization. They ask early and directly. If you need sponsorship, say so. They do sponsor H1Bs but not for every role, and finding out later wastes everyone's time.
2. Salary range alignment. They'll share the band or ask yours. In California they're required by law to share the range if you ask. Ask. It saves 3 rounds of time if you're 40k apart.
3. Your background sketch. Not a deep dive. 3-5 minutes covering your last 1-2 roles. They want to confirm you match the JD at a surface level and that you can communicate clearly.
4. Why Genentech / why this team. They're specifically asking about the team you applied to. "I'm interested in healthcare" is not enough. Know at minimum: which disease area the team works on, one thing Genentech has shipped or is working on that's relevant.
5. Logistics. Hybrid vs remote expectations, are you okay with occasional South San Francisco onsite, timeline.
After a successful phone screen, Genentech's next step is usually either a hiring manager call or the OA. They try to be clear about what the next step is and the timeline. In my experience the timeline from screen to offer can be 5-7 weeks if nothing stalls. That's pretty reasonable for a company their size.