9 Smart Questions to Ask a Job Recruiter Before an Interview

9 Smart Questions to Ask a Job Recruiter Before an einstellungsgesprch 9 Smart Questions to Ask Recruiters Before an einstellungsgesprchOn the phone with a recruiter? Dont forget to ask these nine important questions.Ring, ring. Hello its a recruiter calling you about the job you applied to weeks ago. Or maybe its a recruiter who stumbled across your LinkedIn profile. Perhaps its the recruiter you reached out to a few days ago. Either way, theyre ready to talk.This call even if it only lasts for 10 minutes is important, and can be arguably more important than an actual job bewerbungsvorstellungsgesprch. Why? Its your chance to give a great first impression. Its also your chance to ask any questions you might have about the job, prepare for the interview, and even seek additional opportunities.Here are nine smart questions to ask a job recruiter.1. Do you work for the hiring company?In other words, are you an internal or external recruiter?There are two types of recruiters out ther e, and its important to know the difference. An internal recruiter works exclusively with the company thats hiring, while an external recruiter works as a third-party entity, acting as a go-between for the hiring company and the job candidates.Knowing the difference will help inform the questions you ask and will even provide context about the answers you receive. For example, an internal recruiter might have more information about the companys culture, but with an external recruiter, you might end your conversation by asking about any additional job opportunities.2. Whos the ideal candidate for this role?Want a leg-up in the interview process? Ask the recruiter to describe the companys ideal candidate. Sure, you could just reference the job posting, but the recruiter will likely have more intel. Jot down plenty of notes and ask follow-up questions. Youll be able to use this information to determine if this role is a good fit for you and even shape your answers for later interview questions (as long as youre being honest).3. How quickly are you looking to fill this position?Sometimes it takes weeks to hear back after an interview. By asking how quickly a companys looking to fill a position, you can better understand the pace at which the process will move.4. How would you describe the companys culture?Before going into an interview, youll want to research a companys culture to see if youd be a good fit. The best way to do this is to study a companys website and poke around social media, but it can be difficult to pick up the vibe from behind a screen.So if youve got a recruiter on the phone, why not ask? A recruiter should be able to provide some additional insight and color.5. Whats the starting salary range?This question is a big no-no when it comes to the job interview, but you might feel more comfortable asking a recruiter. After all, the goal of this initial conversation is to figure out if you might be a good fit for the company and vice versa. Theres no need to go through the interview process if the company cant pay you what you need.Of course, youll need to use your best judgment in determining if this is appropriate to ask. If you do, youll want to be delicate with the way you phrase the question. Try something along the lines of I want to make sure this opportunity fits my needs. Do you have information on compensation? A starting salary range?Its also not uncommon for a recruiter to ask you about your salary expectations, so be prepared to answer that question as well.6. Who will be interviewing me?If the recruiter has made it clear youve been invited in for the interview, ask about your interviewers. If youre chatting with an internal recruiter, they should be able to rattle off some names and job titles. With this list of names and/or titles in hand, you can better understand the types of questions youll be asked.You can also spend some time on LinkedIn exploring these professionals backgrounds. It sounds creepy, but this can help quickly establish a more personal connection. For example, knowing ahead of time that someone started their career as a newspaper reporter just like you will get the conversation rolling.7. Whats appropriate interview attire?There are few things more uncomfortable than walking into a shorts-and-T-shirts kind of office in a three-piece suit. You also dont want to show up in khakis and a polo if the office is more formal. Its perfectly fine to ask a recruiter what they recommend youwear to the interview.8. What types of interview questions shall I expect?Some recruiters will offer to set up amock interview with you so you can feel prepared for the real one. Always accept this offer if youre available. This can help alleviate those day-of nerves.If this isnt the case, you can always ask if there are certain questions you should prepare ahead of time. If the answer is no, thats OK it never hurts to ask.9. What are the next steps?Above all, the most important question you ne ed to ask is simply, What are the next steps?Ask about how long the interview process is expected to take, if any travel will be required, and what else theyll need from you. All of this is important in not only determining if the opportunity is right for you but also if its worth your time to pursue.Any other questions about the process along the way? The recruiter will likely remain your go-to contact for anything you need.Before you get on the phone with a recruiter, they need to be impressed by your resume. Make sure your resume stands out with a free resume review todayEditors Note This article was originally published on our sister site, TopInterview.Recommended Reading8 Stories of Job Interviews Gone WrongHow to Interview for a Senior PositionDont Answer These Off-Limits Interview QuestionsRelated Articles