8 Questions to Ask a Recruiter

While recruiters might be viewed as job search gatekeepers, they also possess significant knowledge that candidates can use. If you are wondering which questions to ask a recruiter, let’s explore further.

Their experience and insights could make all the difference. However, they are often so busy that they might not be entirely forthcoming with every candidate unless they are specifically asked. If you show an interest in the role, recruiters will open up to you.

If a recruiter thinks that you have a decent chance at securing the job, they will undoubtedly be happy to answer the following common questions.

Start with a revealing ask

What can you tell me that isn’t on the job description? Every decent recruiter will have taken a brief and will be interested in offering good candidates as much coaching as possible. If the recruiter has nothing to say, you can take anything else they tell you with a pinch of salt. They should be living and breathing the demands of the role.

How long has the position been vacant? This is a surprisingly revealing question. If it has been a few months (maybe another recruiter failed on the brief), you know either the hiring manager is picky, the candidate pool is limited, or the benefits do not match what is expected of the employee. Hopefully, it isn’t the latter option.

What can you tell me about the hiring manager? It is not always the case that recruiters have direct access to hiring managers as they often work via HR departments. However, recruiters who specialise in a particular industry will often try to develop relationships with hiring managers. Out of all the questions to ask a recruiter, this well worth asking. The insights can be transformative.

The best questions to ask a recruiter….

What are the most critical skills for the role? Now, this is one question that every recruiter should have a view on. In their expert view, which parts of the job description are truly pivotal to top performance in the role? The answer will guide a candidate to how to best position their value during an interview.

How would you describe the company’s culture? Recruiters (and their company) will often work for a particular client for many years, so they will get to know their employer culture well. Ascertaining the cultural fit is one of the most challenging tasks for any candidate. The more information they have at their disposal, the easier decisions will be.

What are the stages of the recruitment process? Every company will have a different approach for various roles. It is crucial to understand the duration and complexity of every cycle so that you can manage your other opportunities. Ideally, you will get multiple offers simultaneously, but it rarely works out like this.

What will the hiring manager think of my experience? A recruiter’s answer to this will be telling. Assuming they have a relationship with the hiring manager, this will offer a unique perspective on your potential. Getting into the hiring manager’s head before the interview is vital to making the right first impression.

Why did the last person in the job leave? A good recruiter will understand the context behind the open position, and it is better to ask the recruiter this than the employer. An employer might not react so well if you are too nosey. Reasons for leaving vary greatly, so don’t read too much into it, but you can never have too much information.

Enough questions?

While your recruiter is getting to know you, inject a few of these questions into the mix. They may not wish to tell you too much (and they might not even want to tell you who the employer is to start with), but you will never know if you don’t ask.

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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).