Wondering what questions to ask recruiters during or before your interview? We all know the importance of interview questions. They not only help you prepare for what questions to expect, but they also help the interviewer evaluate your skills and qualifications. Recruiters will typically pull you back for multiple interviews to ensure you’re the right candidate for the job. Asking questions is essential to scoring your dream job because it will give you a better idea about the company, its culture, and how much they value their employees.
Questions to ask recruiters for your next job
You need to ask questions that will help you prepare for the interview while ensuring that the questions seem genuine and natural. That’s why interview questions are always a tricky thing. It can be hard to know what questions to ask recruiters during an interview process. In this blog post, we will share what some of the best questions to ask recruiters during an interview.
What questions should I be asking in my interview?
Although it may sound a little trivial, in some cases, it won’t hurt to ask your recruiter what you should be looking for. They may give you some insight you were not expecting or set you up for easy follow-up questions. Recruiters are there to help, so remember that they also want you to be the perfect candidate.
Is there anything that disqualifies me from the position?
You may initially check off all the boxes. Everything looks perfect on paper, but it is always best to ensure you aren’t wasting your time or the recruiters if you’re not a good fit. Some disqualifying factors may include:
- If you have previously worked for the company or its competitors. Some companies try not to rehire or hire rival company’s ex-employees.
- If your work hours are not flexible or if you live in a different timezone. Some companies may require availability at off times, including evenings and weekends.
- If you were expecting a remote position or vice versa. Some people feel like they thrive most in an office setting, while some prefer working from a remote location.
What questions can I expect to see during an interview for this company?
This is a great question to ask. You should expect questions about what skills and experiences you have, questions about the company culture, as well as questions that may be difficult to answer. By ensuring you ask about what to expect during the interview, you can learn how to make sure you’re prepared for any question thrown your way.
How often does your employee turnover happen, and why do you think it’s happening so much here at [company]?
Do not be afraid to ask about employee turnover as it can be very revealing about the position. For example, some companies, especially small start-ups, have a high turnover because of head hunters or the inability to offer growth within a position. That is not necessarily a bad thing. However, if you learn that the turnover is due to continuous complaints about management or workload, that may not be the company you want to work for.
What is the company culture like?
You need to know about the culture in order for you to work there. These questions to ask recruiters will help determine if this company is one that would be a good fit for you or not. No one wants to work in a toxic space full of gossip or drama. If it seems like you wouldn’t fit well with the current company culture, this might not be the right position for you.
Does this position require travel?
This may not always be applicable. Some companies, especially sales-related, require employees to see clients outside of the office. Therefore, you need to be well prepared to travel back and forth, whether that’s a 15-minute drive in-town for a luncheon or a 5-hour flight across the country to close a big deal. This also goes back to the remote/non-remote question. Be aware of the travel. Also, inquire about their reimbursements for gas, mileage, or lodging.
Is there an opportunity for promotion if I’m doing well in my current job?
Many companies will indicate the kinds of jobs they offer and how long the application process is. However, some employers aren’t transparent with their growth model because they find that it inhibits employee performance. This allows them to see how hardworking and passionate an employee will be before offering them the opportunity for promotion.
What does growth look like in the company?
It may seem like the same question, but it can be more profound than asking about more money or more duties. You can receive a promotion but not have growth. Let me explain:
- If you are a sales representative and your manager tells you that there will be no increase in salary to promote you, then the company is not offering any growth for this position.
- On the other hand, if they offer an hourly raise or promotion but it’s only up by one level (e.g., from associate to supervisor), the company does have the potential for some growth opportunities at some point down the road.
- You can have an increase in duties, which come with higher pay, but you can still be stagnant in the same position for years.
How quickly can I expect to see said growth?
The timeline of growth is not always clear. Some companies are more transparent about their potential for growth and how long it will take to get there. Other employers have been known to keep this a secret until you’ve joined the company. This is an excellent way to weed out the companies that do not look for employees to stay long-term and are satisfied with quick turnover.
What are your expectations for this position?
It’s essential that you know what to expect in the position and company. This will help ensure that this is a good fit for your expectations and the company’s needs. The recruiter may even practice interview questions with you or go through potential answers to help you prepare for your interview.
Why does this role require an MBA? Or what type of credentials are needed?
This may not be applicable. For example, sometimes employers look for graduate degrees when they’re trying to fill higher positions with specialized skills. This might include high-level positions such as finance, accounting, engineering, etc.
However, some companies have found success without all of these requirements by focusing on qualities over credentials. The key point is analyzing whether or not those qualifications can actually add value to the company rather than having them only because that’s the standard of what everyone else has.
Do I need to relocate for this job opportunity?
Sometimes, recruitment advertisements are not transparent or precise. When this is the case, make sure you are signing up for something that will be local to your home. If you are unwilling to relocate, this is an excellent time to break loose and cut your losses if you find that you will need to move for the job opportunity.
Can you tell me more about the benefits package?
Never be afraid to ask what exactly you will be receiving for your hard work. Some companies offer more than just a typical salary and benefits package, such as retirement contributions or bonuses (e.g., an annual Christmas bonus). Make sure you have a good knowledge of anything you can be doing to increase your pay or benefits.
What training will I receive (if any) when starting with your company?
At this point, it’s best to clarify that you do not want to be thrown into a situation without notice. What type of training is offered and for how long? Will this be paid, or will you need to do this on your own time?
What should I NOT ask during an interview?
Many people want to know what questions they should avoid asking during interviews since recruiters can determine if candidates move to the next level of interviews and if they’re qualified enough for the position being offered. However, while we cannot answer this question definitively. We do urge everyone who reads this blog post to think before speaking out loud when answering any questions. Remember that most managers know within the first 90 seconds of an interview if you’re going to get hired.
Be mindful of questions to ask recruiters that are too personal because they may be considered illegal. Questions that may be regarded as illegal in some states include:
- Questions about an applicant’s race or ethnicity.
- Marital status.
- Religious affiliation (including creed).
- Sexual orientation/identity.
- Country of origin.
This also includes questions about family responsibilities. This includes children under 18 years old living at home with parents and those who are legally responsible for them.
Questions to ask recruiters that are related to salary and benefits should be asked at the start. You might also ask when you are being pushed forward to the next recruitment steps. Once offered the job, you also have the ability to negotiate what is best for your needs if the offer is too low.
Why Should I Work With Sales Recruiter Dallas?
Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to make your next career move or someone interested in getting started as an entry-level candidate, it pays to have someone on your side with experience and expertise.
If you are currently interviewing for a new opportunity here at Sales Recruiter Dallas, we hope that these tips will help guide the process of finding your dream job. Remember, hiring managers want candidates who know what they want from their future employer and show enthusiasm about the position by being prepared during interviews. Contact our team today if any of this sounds like it might be part of your ideal career path!