Page 88 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

QUESTIONS FOR HEADHUNTERS, RECRUITERS . . .

? Memorably Good Question

#3

What kinds of processes are in place to help me work collabo-
ratively?

This candidate shows me not only that he wants to succeed,
but that he understands that success at this level requires a
collaborative effort.
Bob Conlin
VP of Marketing
Incentive Systems
Bedford, MA

6-3
Are you dealing with the client’s HR people, or do you have direct con-
tact with the hiring manager?
Don’t be afraid to ask. You want to know how much influence the re-
cruiter will have with this client. A search engagement that puts the re-
cruiter in direct contact with the hiring manager will offer a
significantly stronger opportunity for you to be placed in the position.

6-4
How long has the client been with you?
This gives you insight into how well the recruiter knows the company.
Look for a long-term association.

6-5
How many candidates have you personally placed with this client?
Look for a recruiter that has a successful history with the client, better
yet, with the hiring manager. The recruiter should have a solid under-
standing of the client’s needs in order to determine if you will fit into the
position, the work team, and the corporate culture. If the recruiter has
not placed any candidates with the company, there is a chance that he
or she really does not have a specific assignment or position in mind
for you. What the recruiter is doing is trolling for candidates to add to
his or her database for future engagements.

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