Recruiters have a bank of information with them that can help you to make the right decision, but you also need to ask the right questions to tap into the resource. Some recruiters even look for your awareness about the course of things by asking, ‘Do you have any questions?’
Sample Questions to Ask Recruiters with Answers
1. What are the tasks I would be handling in a day?
These are the activities that you would be dealing with daily. If you aren’t aware of what you are landing yourself into, it would be a great disaster when the time comes, and you have to keep engaging in it monotonously. Once you have signed up for it, there are only two ways to exit. You have to either get fired for low performance because you are lagging. Or, you have to opt for quitting the job. Either way, you are back to level zero. So, you should have your eyes open and know what you are signing up for. This question will help you get valuable insights.
2. Are there any specific projects that I would have to deal with?
It is similar to the above question, but the difference is that though you will be handling the same tasks, it may be for different projects and different clients. What are the projects that you will be engaging in? Who are the clients you will be handling? What is the significance of these clients and projects for the company? Are the projects in sync with your values? All of these questions are in your mind, but you need to bring them to the hiring personnel, and only then will they be addressed.
3. What are the specific skills that would make a candidate stand out?
You are fully aware that in an interview, not every candidate gets selected. Even the most talented candidate may not be suitable for the role. You do have your areas of strengths and capabilities. Does it match with what the company is searching for? That’s the biggest question. What if they are looking for something that’s not in you? Then the job isn’t for you. That’s the conclusion, and then you can keep looking till you find that dream job that is made especially for you without wasting your time.
4. What is the work environment like?
The work environment indicates the level of satisfaction you can have from your job. It is not necessary to land a job; what follows next determines your success at it. If it is something that makes you feel stuck, stressed out, and frustrated, what is the use of having a job when you are compromising on your mental health? You need to feel comfortable yet challenged to reach your goals. Is the work environment offering it to you?
5. What are the values and visions of the company?
The mutual growth of both the company and its employees is possible when the values and visions. If the company has different values, the employee will not be satisfied and will find ways to apply them to the company. It will create strife and dissatisfaction amongst the employees. The same goes with the vision; the employee should be able to honor it, for eventually, s/he is going to do the groundwork.
6. Do you believe I am a good fit for the role?
This question will answer the assumptions that the recruiters make of you and correct their opinions. Their opinion decides whether you get selected for the position and the roles allotted to you once appointed. So, it is crucial to set their assumptions right.
7. Is this a new role in the company? Was it occupied before?
It gives a better picture of the position. If it is a newly opened one, then you have a chance to explore and experience the newness. Sometimes, it would also mean that others already working there aren’t acquainted and can help you only in a limited scope. If it is the other way around, what has been the reason behind the position becoming vacant? Did the previous employee found something unsuitable? Are some clues giving you a red flag?
8. What is the employee retention rate?
Employee retention rate denotes the satisfaction the people employed in the company enjoy. It’s connected to how the company treats them. Only when employees find their hard work being recognized and rewarded would they stay for long. It is also the happiness index of the people working in the organization. In short, it is how you can expect your time in the company to be.
9. When will I know that I have been hired?
The time between you giving the interview and getting the confirmation is the downtime. You may get offers from other companies in that period which could be more appealing. If the company intimates you after you have accepted some other company, it may not be a good thing. It can even prove to be distractive. So, it is always better to get a confirmation, and you can always ask whether they would keep you informed.
10. Are there any other stages after this interview?
It acts as a resource to know the process of selection of the company. It will help you prepare for it from the beginning. It will also set your expectations right and will give you a picture of who you will be interacting with within the whole process. It will also inform you how long till you get an appointment.
11. What is the salary that I can expect in this role?
It is a question answered in a range of ______to______. It rarely happens that the answer is straightforward. But it gives you the answer to whether your expectations are to be met. It also gives you the answer to the returns being equal to the efforts put in or not.
12. How long has the position been open?
It will give you a better picture of whether the position has been open recently or for a long time now. If it has been a long time, it could be a red flag. Why has it not been filled? Are the employers demanding? Is the hiring process going to take long? Do candidates opt not to follow through with the process? Is there something wrong with the position offered or the hiring team’s approach? What is posing a challenge? Will it take long before you are informed about the confirmation?
13. How soon do you expect to fill the vacancy?
The sooner, the better. You need to know when exactly will the confirmation be given. Will you have to wait? Will you be intimated just after the interview? Is there an urgency? You can easily decide whether you can afford to wait that long or you need to keep your search open.
14. Who will I be reporting? Will I be in direct contact with the person in authority?
It will give you an idea of the internal workings of the company. Do they provide personal preference to employees? Can you reach out to someone if you get stuck in a project? Is someone there to guide you through your work? Will you get regular feedback about the work you complete? You need to know whether the working style will work for you.
15. What are the grounds for rejection?
It answers the possibility of you getting rejected or vice versa. It also tells you about the mistakes that other candidates made. It also makes you aware of what the company is not looking for in candidates. It may so happen that something you consider as a strength may be a weakness for the company.
16. Is work from home available? How long will it be available?
If you intend to work only remotely, you know how long it is suitable for you. It also seeks to reply to what you can expect in the coming months from your work. Similarly, if you intend to work in a proper work environment, it will answer the question too. It also tells you how your workplace and work environment will look like in the coming months.
17. How many weekly hours do I have to dedicate?
It is time you need to give per week divided by the working days. Can you commit to it? Is it too less or too overwhelming for you? Can you work at a stretch, or do you prefer working flexibly? All of these are vital questions you need to ask before getting yourself into something. You can also calculate the salary range with the hours. It gives a better picture of the work-return ratio.
18. What do you personally love about the company?
The recruiter has spent some time with the company, and they can inform you what the company is good at, including the company’s vision, values, and goals. They may even tell you what made them choose the company themselves and how their career curve has been with the company. They may even tell you what makes the company promote its employees along with the success curve and opportunities given by the company. The hiring team also knows the grievances faced by them and solutions granted by the company.
19. What is the 5-year goal of the company?
When a company progresses, the employees also grow with it. But it is also crucial to know whether your long-term goal is in sync with the company’s goals. If the company is planning to grow in the same direction that you envision, then it is the right decision for you to make. But, if the company has some other plans then you may have to think twice before signing the contract.
20. Would you like to share something that I haven’t enquired about?
There may be some information gaps left even after asking all the questions you may not have thought of, but the hiring team has a bank of information. They can help you in making the right decision. If they are supportive, they will give you the information you need. You need to have the right approach, ask the right questions, and be open to receive. Always be ready to ask questions, as this is probably the only chance you will get before you are appointed. Once you are selected, it gets harder to leave as you get stuck with the company. So, before you step in, it is vital to be aware.
Conclusion
These questions will help you get acquainted with the company, the role you would be working for, potential red flags, the salary range, and any other queries. Don’t worry! Recruiters love candidates who are clear about their visions and goals, and therefore, they love those who ask and clear their doubts before getting hired.
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Sandeep Bhandari is the founder of PrepMyCareer.com website.
I am a full-time professional blogger, a digital marketer, and a trainer. I love anything related to the Web, and I try to learn new technologies every day.
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