I've done enough placements at Intel to break down the recruiter phone screen without the vague advice.
First, Intel's recruiters are in-house and they actually know the roles. This is not a checkbox call where someone reads from a script. The person on your screen will usually know the team, the tech stack, and the kind of problems you'd be solving. That means you can (and should) ask real questions.
What they cover in a typical 30-minute screen: Your background and current role. They'll ask you to walk through your experience, but they steer the conversation. If you've done embedded systems or firmware work it'll get airtime. If you're a pure backend person coming in for a platform role, expect a question about whether you've worked close to hardware. Why Intel, and why now. This sounds generic but they do probe it. Especially right now with all the public news about Intel's transformation under Lip-Bu Tan, they want to know if you're running toward something or just sprinting out of somewhere. Be honest, but show you've done research. "I'm excited about the foundry strategy" will land better than nothing. Compensation expectations. They will ask. Have a range ready. They operate on a leveled system and salary is attached to level. If you don't know where you'd level, say so and ask them for context. They'd rather calibrate early than waste everyone's time. Timeline and logistics. Are you actively interviewing elsewhere? H1B or visa situation? Location flexibility? Portland, Hillsboro, and Santa Clara are the main hubs. Remote is more limited than it was two years ago.
One thing people underestimate: the recruiter screen is also a two-way vibe check. I've had candidates get past the screen because they asked smart, specific questions about the team. It stands out.