Recruiting tips

9 Questions Every Recruiter Should Know How to Answer

According to a recent survey of more than 10,000 job changers, the No. 1 reason they took a new position wasn't because of money or their boss - it was for career advancement. Another survey revealed that top talent has high expectations of recruiters - they’ll only pay attention to those who are accomplished, professional, and have something valuable to offer.

Clearly, job seekers are carefully evaluating recruiters who contact them. To build a strong recruiter brand and showcase your employer brand, you need to provide key pieces of information to earn their trust and get them interested in your company and career opportunities.

The best recruiters have specific, honest, and most importantly, compelling answers to the following questions:

  1. What problem does your company solve for customer?
  2. Who’s your ideal customer?
  3. Why are you hiring right now?
  4. What makes it hard for your company to find the right talent?
  5. What makes someone leave their current job to work for your company?
  6. What are some of the things employees value most about working at your company?
  7. What kind of person thrives at your company?
  8. What kind of person fails at your company?
  9. How are current employees advancing their careers at your company?

When recruiters have good answers to the questions above, they’re showing how much the company has thought about its talent needs. More importantly, it shows the company doesn’t just want warm bodies, earning the respect and attention of the talent they seek.

Tip: Back answers up with facts

If you really want to make sure talent is impressed with your answers, you should back each one up with a fact. Provide examples or stats to give candidates proof your answers are legit.

A great way to do this is by creating content (i.e. articles, videos, social media feeds), that validate what you’re saying. The more third-party credibility you can provide, the better. Why? Studies by CAREEREALISM show sophisticated job seekers research your recruiter brand and employer brand online and expect to find enough information to make an informed decision about your career opportunities. If they can’t find enough evidence you’re a good employer, they won’t bother to apply to your jobs.

The best defense is a good offense

Competing for candidates is only going to get tougher. Recruiters who proactively answer the questions above will position their employers in the best possible light. That’s the competitive edge you’ll need if you want to attract the best talent.

PS – Our company, CAREEREALISM, has created the first “Featured Recruiter” Directory designed to help recruiters showcase and promote their recruiter brands to candidates. You can get your free listing. Additionally, we’re now launching a new program called, “Sneak Peeks,” where you can easily create content that showcases and validates your company’s employer brand.

To receive blog posts like this one straight in your inbox, subscribe to the blog newsletter.

*Image from Harry Potter

Employer Brand Strategy Guide

Have blog stories delivered to your inbox