What are some common questions to ask the recruiter or hiring manager during the application process?

Knowing why a position is open is also good information to seek. You want to know if this is a new position (which inherently will have bugs to work out in the future) or an existing position where you may or may not have big shoes to fill from the incumbent who preceded you. It may also be that the position is an expansion of work that needs to be done because of growth, new/changing regulatory requirements or funding expectations. To learn more about this simply ask, 'can you tell me why this position is being filled at this time?' The answer will give you a heads-up in customizing your resume, and cover letter, positioning your application appropriately, and in interview preparation if your candidacy is advanced.

Conducting thorough research before applying is the foundation of a strategic job application. It allows you to align your qualifications with the company's values and goals. Explore various sources like the company website, social media, and reviews to gain insights into their culture, products, and challenges. Tailoring your application based on this knowledge not only showcases your genuine interest but also positions you as a candidate who understands and appreciates the company's dynamics. Additionally, posing thoughtful questions to the recruiter demonstrates proactive engagement and eagerness to contribute.

Recognising your interviewer is crucial for success. With sourcers, focus on logistics; for job recruiters, ask deeper questions. Save strategic queries for the hiring manager. Inquire about the organisation's culture and be proactive in seeking info needed for your role's success. This showcases your readiness. During the hiring manager interview, showcase how your skills align with their goals. Demonstrate your value succinctly.

There are a few important questions that everyone should ask the recruiter/HM on the initial call.For example, inquire about how the role contributes to the organization's goal; inquire about the team, career development, and business culture; inquire about learning support and performance review.

Understanding who is at the other end of the initial screen is crucial to move on to the next round. If the phone screen is with a sourcer or junior recruiter, it’s going to be a light conversation. Your questions will revolve around the interview process and clarity on next steps. If it’s with the recruiter managing the job, you will have the opportunity for more detailed preliminary questions, but hold your strategy questions for the hiring manager. Think about culture, what the interview cycle will be, and what the recruiter knows about the team. You can ask the recruiter what else they need to know about you to be successful in filling the order. The hiring manager interview is about how you will help them reach their goals.

During the initial phone screen, I always make it a practice to share all relevant and right information about the company, role, team, business- what problem they are trying to solve, how the role can help the candidate grow, what will be their key contributions, career growth, interview process, evaluation criteria etc. The initial call always need to be detailed and transparent which would help the candidates to clear their doubts and take a decision whether to move a head. I also do try to understand the candidates aspirations whether it inclines with the role offering. Discuss about the salary range for the role. Initial call is always important to set the right expectations and

Asking right questions to the recruiter very early in the interviewing stage helps gain clarity on role to gauge fitment. Following are some question which are not generally included in the job description and are good to ask. - "Is this a backfill or a new position?" - " What is the hierarchy like ? " - " The working hours fixed " - "By when you would like to close this position" - "Can you help me understand the next rounds please" - "What are the key thing generally you recommend folks to prepare for the next round" - " Can you please share me some company links and trial access for me to get hands-on experience of the product for making the next round productive for the hiring manager? "

Maximize the phone screen as an opportunity to showcase your eagerness and glean valuable insights. Preparing thoughtful questions not only demonstrates your genuine interest but also signals your commitment to understanding the role deeply. Inquire about key success metrics and the company's approach to professional growth, showcasing your proactive mindset and aligning your aspirations with the company's objectives. This engagement sets a positive tone for further interactions in the hiring process.

During a phone screen, insightful questions can make a difference. Candidates might ask about the key skills and experiences the team values most. Understanding the typical career path for the role provides clarity on growth potential. Inquiring about the company's culture and team dynamics reveals insights into the working environment. Asking what success looks like in this position helps in aligning one's expectations with the employer's. These questions demonstrate a candidate's engagement and thoughtful consideration of the role, setting a solid foundation for the next interview stages.

Preparing for the interview is a much needed task to do to be confident and know how to answer also what to ask. It is a platform to showcase key skills, what experience we bring, attitude and potential. Prepare on the self-intro part for 3-5 minutes where we can demonstrate by quantifying our role, show enthusiasm towards the role and reason for choosing the company. We need to articulate well on what are the key contributions, achievements, accomplishments, problem-solving skills, how good are we as an individual and as a team player. Relate everything with the role offering and ask follow up, relevant question to make the discussion interactive.

Could you please clarify the following? 1) What is the work format (remote, hybrid, or in-office)? If hybrid, how many days per week are required in the office? 2) What type of contract is offered (e.g.,B2C, B2B, or other)? 3) What is the salary "currency", and is the amount provided the "net" figure? 4) Is health insurance included? 5) Are there any additional perks such as access to fitness facilities, English lessons, or other benefits? 6) Do you provide any work equipment? 7) Are there any security or MDM platforms required to be installed (e.g., Kanji)? 8) Is there any time-tracking software required for monitoring work hours? 9) Is there any other important information I should be aware of?

You'll often hear about how you should have questions ready for the end of the interview. While this is important, one thing that goes understated during the interview process is to ask questions in the interview. Especially when posed with future-focused questions. Example: "How would you handle selling this product?" Instead of going straight into a pitch, let's turn this into a conversation. "Sure, but before I go into that, can you share with me a little more about how the product is currently being sold?"

Approach the interview as a two-way street, showcasing your genuine interest while assessing the role fit for you. Asking insightful questions demonstrates your strategic thinking and commitment to making an informed decision. Inquire about the role's involvement in ongoing projects, team dynamics, and the company's unique attributes. Delve into how the organization fosters collaboration, handles feedback, and balances innovation with stability. This dual-purpose questioning not only enriches your understanding but also emphasizes your dedication to a mutually beneficial partnership.

Job expectations- What are the primary responsibilities of this role?" "What does success look like in this position? Company Culture: "Can you describe the company culture and work environment?" "What values does the company prioritize?"

Post-interview communication is pivotal. A thank-you email not only expresses gratitude but serves as a strategic tool. Seize this chance to reiterate your strengths, address any concerns, and pose thoughtful questions. Inquiring about the decision timeline, additional information, or pandemic-related policies showcases your proactive approach and genuine interest. Your questions not only provide clarity but also convey your dedication to making informed career choices, leaving a lasting impression on recruiters and aiding your decision-making process.

After an interview, asking about next steps in the hiring process is essential. Candidates should inquire about the timeline for a decision and if there are additional interviews. Understanding the company's expectations for the role and any immediate priorities can provide valuable insight. It's also beneficial to ask for feedback on the interview performance. This demonstrates eagerness for the role and a commitment to self-improvement. These questions help maintain engagement with the recruiter or hiring manager and keep the candidate informed about the process ahead.

Promptly debrief (directly) with your recruiter: verify discussed facts, share sentiments, and ensure your understanding still aligns. Compare your pre-interview expectations with the insights gained. Has the interview answered all your questions, or raised new queries / concerns? Some interviewers may not effectively communicate or engage as expected. If this diminishes interest, be candid about it. Address any moments of 'brain freeze' or responses you wish to revisit. Confirm, clarify, and agree on next steps; request actionable feedback. Document your personal thoughts - in writing - for accurate recollection. Be comprehensive; this significantly aids your future preparation, role evaluation, and frees your mind for other activities.

Don’t overlook the importance of the ONBOARDING process. Here are KEY questions to consider: ?What’s the onboarding like? Some companies don’t have a solid plan or any training docs, and that can lead to a lot of confusion. You want to know what to expect right off the bat. ?Will there be a mentor assigned to me? It’s totally okay to ask for support, especially if you’re diving into something new. Every expert has room to learn! ?What do you expect from me in the first few weeks? Get clear on what success looks like early on. Asking for those expectations in writing can save you from any surprises later. P.S: Remember, the way a company responds to these questions says a lot about their commitment to their employees!

Other points to evaluate through the Recruiter: - Travel Requirements: Where is the primary base for this role? Does it entail significant travel? - Actively discuss the career development potential - seek evidence. - Hybrid / Working Arrangements: What are the expectations; What does ‘hybrid’ / 'flexible working' mean in practice? - When discussing your Salary, Package & Benefits, evaluate the entire package, not just base salary and bonus. Consider how the timing of your start date may impact your eligibility for the bonus cycle. Review pension / non cash benefits. - What is the market perception/brand reputation of this entity; Seek out different perspectives - What is the composition of this team: career background, calibre, diversity?