Impress Hiring Managers: 7 Questions to Ask Recruiters Before Interviews

Even during record-high inflation, a down economic market, and housing issues, the American job market is still strong. Unemployment was still extremely low as of October 2022, sitting at 3.7%. This means that candidates are looking for jobs, and employers are still hiring. 261,000 jobs were added to the American job market in October, illustrating a robust labor market, and many of those roles are actively working with recruiters to find the best candidates.

There are many benefits to employers utilizing outside recruiters to source talent. Many recruiters have a pre-vetted roster, critical connections, and a unique skill set for finding talent. They also help organizations save time, money, and internal resources while speeding up the hiring cycle.

However, recruiters don’t only benefit employers; they also benefit candidates! With a recruiter, a candidate gets a person in the corner across the entire application process — from the first phone screening to initial interviews to the final round on-site. Candidates can ask recruiters questions they might not feel comfortable asking their potential employers like salary range, benefits, interview tips, and more.

Best Questions to Ask a Recruiter

Here are some of the best questions candidates can ask recruiters during phone screens, before initial interviews, and once a decision is made.

1. “Can I get an update on this job?”

Recruiters are responsible for back-and-forth communication, and most likely, they know where the employer is sitting in terms of other candidates. Jobseekers can absolutely ask a recruiter for a status update, especially when they have other jobs in their own pipeline. A recruiter can let them know when they can expect to hear back or an updated timeline of how long the entire process might take.

2. “What qualities are they looking for?”

This is one of the best questions to ask a recruiter during a phone screen. Right up front, it’s a good idea to know what the employer expects from a candidate in terms of soft and hard skills. For example, if the recruiter responds with a lot of technical skills, and a candidate is trying to move to a non-technical role, then it’s a good indicator this might not be the perfect job.

A recruiter is trying to get a feel if a candidate would be a good fit for this role as well, so jobseekers shouldn’t hesitate to respond back with how they might fit into that description.

3. “How quickly are they looking to hire someone?”

This is another great question to ask a recruiter during a phone screen. This is an answer that could be a dealbreaker if a candidate needs to make a move ASAP and the employer is simply casually perusing the market. It helps candidates determine if their timelines are on the same page.

4. “Do you have any advice on how to prepare for this interview?”

If a candidate has made it through the initial phone screening and is ready to interview with the hiring manager or someone else on the hiring panel, a recruiter can provide invaluable insight in terms of preparation. Jobseekers might wonder, “Well, can you even ask a recruiter how to prepare for an interview? Is it ‘cheating’ if you do?” The answer is jobseekers can and should ask for interview tips, and it’s absolutely not “cheating!”

One of the main roles of a recruiter is to prepare candidates for interviews. They can give background on the company, insight into the members of the hiring panel, and even explain the company culture. A well-prepared candidate makes for a great interview for both parties.

5. “What’s the salary range for this position?”

Candidates might be wondering, “Can you ask a recruiter for a salary range?” The answer is “Absolutely yes”! Recruiters might not always be able to give a salary range, but candidates can always ask, especially during an initial phone screening. Recruiters will most likely ask back for an expected salary range, so candidates should be prepared to give their own responses.

6. “Do you have any feedback for me?”

Both throughout the interview process and once a decision has been made, candidates should ask recruiters for feedback. If the process didn’t end in an offer, the recruiter probably has valuable insight as to what didn’t work. Candidates can get feedback on their resumes, talking points, and interview answers. 

7. “Could we stay in touch?”

Especially for experienced jobseekers, a great relationship with a recruiter can offer benefits for years. When the recruiter has new open positions, they remember candidates that were easy to work with.

Work with Recruiters that Support Your Career

When skilled professionals actively explore a new job or are simply curious about the market, their relationship with their recruiter is critical. Start with this list of questions to ask a recruiter for more information about the job market, skill set, and industry. They have a wealth of knowledge they’re excited to deliver.

At Advantis Global, we work with some of the most highly desirable companies looking for permanent and contract-skilled tech talent. We’re with candidates every step of the way with interview coaching and strategic advice. Contact a recruiter today or apply to one of the many jobs on our job board.