Are you speaking to a recruiter? Don’t forget to ask these important questions!
Whether it is a recruiter calling you about the job you applied for directly or a recruiter who found you via LinkedIn or networking, this call or meeting is your chance to make a great first impression. It is also your chance to ask any questions you might have about the job, prepare for an interview, and even seek additional opportunities.
Here are the “go-to” questions to ask your recruiter:
Who is the ideal candidate for this role?
Ask your recruiter to describe the company’s ideal candidate. That way, you’ll be able to use this information to determine if this role is a good fit for you even shape your answers to interview questions.
How quickly are you looking to fill this position?
By asking your recruiter how quickly a company’s looking to fill a position, you can better understand the pace at which the process will move, especially if you have other opportunities in play.
How would you describe the company’s culture?
Before going into an interview, you want to research a company’s culture to see if you would be a good fit. The best way to do this is to study a company’s website and poke around social media (e.g., Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram). A recruiter should be able to provide some additional insight and clarity based on their interactions with the company.
What is the starting salary range?
This question is a BIG NO-NO when it comes to the job interview, but you can feel more comfortable asking your recruiter. The goal of this initial conversation is to figure out if you might be a good fit for the company and vice versa. Try something along the lines of: “I want to make sure this opportunity fits my needs. Do you have information on the compensation range? It is not uncommon for your recruiter to ask you about your salary expectations, so be prepared to answer that question as well.
Who will be interviewing me?
If the recruiter has made it clear you’ve been invited to an interview, ask about your interviewer(s).
You can better understand the types of questions you’ll be asked. You can also spend some time on LinkedIn exploring their professionals’ backgrounds. This can help quickly establish a more personal connection.
What’s appropriate interview attire?
There are few things more uncomfortable than walking into an interview dressed too casually! It is perfectly fine to ask your recruiter what their recommendation is that you wear for the interview, especially if it’s a virtual interview.
What types of interview questions can I expect?
Recruiters will set up a prep call/meeting with you so you can feel prepared ahead of time! Always, ALWAYS accept this offer. This will help alleviate those day-of nerves and always ask if there are certain questions you should prepare for in advance.
“What are the next steps?“
The most important question you should continue to ask your recruiter after each step in the interview process is simple: “What are the next steps?”
You will have several other questions about the interview process along the way! The best part about engaging a recruiter is that he/she is your go-to contact for anything you need related to the job search. Having a reputable recruiter in your corner always helps to ensure a smooth interview process (and less stress)!
