Interviewing with a Recruiter

I interviewed thousands of #jobseekers when I was a recruiter. The best applicants all did the same things: 1) They talked about their experience in a coherent, easy-to-follow way 2) They qualified my questions with their own questions (i.e. they showed they were listening and not just waiting to respond) 3) They mentioned the values of the company or something about the company that had been in the news or on the company website recently 4) They asked me about me (we all have a bit of ego, it’s okay) 5) They picked out key points from the job description and told me about their experience with said points 6) They showed that they had interests outside of work (They weren't one-dimensional) 7) They were polite - i.e. they were never late and said please and thank you etc. 8)They found a great balance between confidence and humility - they knew what they could bring to the role and the company, yet they also embodied a growth mindset 9) They knew their worth and weren’t afraid to hold firm on their salary expectations. 10) Ended their interview by clarifying the next steps, timescales and by asking “Is there anything about my skills or experience that you’d like me to clarify for you?” If you do these things, I can almost guarantee you'll find recruiters putting you forward for more roles and hiring managers taking you to the next round. Best of luck #jobseekers And for anyone involved in conducting the interviews is there anything you'd add? #interviews #interviewsuccess #cgatips

Want a Recruiter to Actually Help You? Be Clear About What You Want One of the biggest things I tell candidates is this: the more open and specific you are, the better I can help you. I talk to a lot of people who say they’re looking for “the right opportunity” but can’t quite articulate what that actually means. And while I wish I had a magic crystal ball to figure it out for you, that’s just not how it works. If you want to get the most out of a conversation with a recruiter (whether it’s me or anyone else), here’s how to approach it: 1. Know What Kind of Call You’re Having There’s a difference between a general networking chat and a conversation about a specific job—and how you approach them should reflect that. 👉 Networking Call: If you’re just exploring, that’s great! But be upfront about it. I need to know: What types of companies you’re interested in The roles you’re targeting Whether you’re actively searching or just testing the waters Even if you don’t have everything figured out, at least give me some direction. Otherwise, it’s hard for me to make meaningful introductions or keep you in mind when opportunities pop up. 👉 Call About a Real Role: If we’re talking about an actual position, be prepared. I’ll need to know: Why you’re interested in this opportunity What matters most to you in your next move (title, comp, industry, culture, etc.) Where you’re at in your job search (other interviews, offers, timeline) The more info I have, the better I can advocate for you. 2. Be Specific—“I’m Open to Anything” Doesn’t Work I get it—sometimes you just want to see what’s out there. But the reality is, I can’t help you if I don’t know what you actually want. Instead of saying, “I’m open to anything,” try: ✔️ “I’m looking for a Head of Demand Gen role at a high-growth SaaS company.” Even if you’re flexible, give me a starting point. If I don’t know what you want, I’m just guessing. 3. Be Honest—It’s a Two-Way Street If you: Are deep in other interview processes Need a certain salary range Require remote flexibility Tell me. If something is a dealbreaker, let’s just put it on the table so neither of us wastes time. 4. Use Me as a Resource We see hiring trends, salary shifts, and know what companies are really looking for. If you have questions about: Market trends How to position yourself What hiring managers actually care about Ask! I’m happy to share insights that might give you an edge. Stay in Touch Even if there’s no immediate fit, keep me updated. Hiring moves fast, and the right role could pop up anytime. The more I know about what you want, the better I can keep you in mind. Bottom Line: Help Me Help You Recruiters want to place candidates in great roles—but we’re not mind readers. Be specific, transparent, and engaged, and I’ll be able to help you land the right opportunity. So next time we chat, let’s skip the vague answers and get straight to what really matters. Sound good? #jobsearch #recruiting #networking

A recruiter asks during the initial conversation, "𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲?" What should you say? This question landed in my inbox, and I thought it was a fantastic topic! 🙌  First and foremost, if your recruiter isn’t already sharing key details with you about the hiring process, timelines, or what to expect, they’re doing you a huge disservice. The initial call is a two-way street - it’s not just for me as a recruiter, it’s for you as the candidate. This conversation is often your first peek into the company culture and how the organization values your time and effort. For anyone who’s ever interviewed with me, you already know I’ll cover about 90% of what you were going to ask 😄 but here are some important questions to keep in mind just in case they aren’t disclosed: - 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻? (Is this a new role or a backfill?) - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲? (Don't be afraid to ask about the full process.) - 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲? Or, if not disclosed, do you know approximately how many interviews I can expect?  - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲? Do you know what those might look like within the company?  - 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿? (And yes, compensation should have been discussed by this point. If not, it’s time to start running. 💨) 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨: - How many people are on the team? - What is the company culture like? - Why did you join [insert company name]? - What’s your favorite thing about working at [insert company name]? Remember, asking the right questions gives you a clearer picture of not only the role but the environment you’ll be stepping into. And always trust your gut - if the recruiter is vague or withholding important information, it might be a red flag. 🚩  What are your go-to questions for recruiters? #RecruiterTips #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #Jobseekers #Jobs #Hiring #Insights #Interviewing #InterviewTips

As a recruiter, I often see candidates stress about phone interviews. Let me break it down for you so you can leave a lasting impression, even if you're caught off guard!      ✨Not Ready for the Call? Here’s What to Do: Sometimes, life gets busy, and you're not ready to dive into a conversation. That’s okay! Politely say: “Thank you for reaching out! I’m currently unavailable to give this call my full attention. Can we reschedule for later today or tomorrow?” This shows respect for the recruiter’s time and your desire to make a good impression.     ✨ Forgot the Job Details? No Problem! It’s normal to apply for several jobs and not remember every detail. Be honest but professional: “I’m excited to learn more, but I don’t have the job details in front of me right now. Could you give me a quick overview so I can better answer your questions?” This shows humility and readiness to engage.      ✨Tips for a Successful Phone Interview: Prepare Ahead: Keep your resume and a notepad nearby. Find a Quiet Spot: Minimize distractions to stay focused. Be Concise: Answer questions clearly and avoid rambling. Stay Positive: Even if discussing challenges, highlight how you overcame them.     ✨ Questions to Ask the Recruiter: A phone interview is a two-way street. Here are some great questions: “What does a typical day in this role look like?” “What qualities do you think make someone successful in this position?” “How would you describe the company culture?” 💡 Pro Tip: End with Gratitude Wrap up by saying: “Thank you for this opportunity! I’m excited about the role and hope to continue the conversation.” ✨ Remember: A phone interview is your first chance to shine. Approach it with confidence, and you’ll set the stage for success! 💬 What’s your go-to strategy for nailing phone interviews? Share your tips below!

The truth about what recruiters are really looking for in your interview ↓   I've been on both sides of the hiring table, and there's something most candidates get wrong about recruiter interviews.   Here's what I've learned: most recruiters aren't deeply technical experts in your field.   We're not primarily evaluating if you can code in Python or execute a specific accounting procedure.   What we're actually assessing is much more fundamental:   First, we're looking at fit.   Will you thrive in this specific team? Will your communication style work with this manager? Do you approach problems in a way that aligns with how the company operates?   Second, we're evaluating risk.   Based on your past experiences and how you present yourself, how likely are you to succeed in this role? Are there any red flags that suggest you might struggle?   This is why we ask those behavioral questions about past challenges, team conflicts, or how you've handled difficult situations.   We're looking for patterns that help us predict your future performance.   Understanding this completely changes how you should prepare.   Rather than just demonstrating technical perfection, focus on clearly communicating how you'll fit into this specific environment and why you're a low-risk, high-potential hire.   I've seen many technically brilliant candidates get passed over because they couldn't effectively show they'd thrive in the company's particular culture.   What's been your experience with recruiter interviews? How do you demonstrate fit beyond just technical qualifications?   Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #hiringprocess #interviewpreparation #recruiterperspective #culturalfit

If I were interviewing, this is the number one question I would ask during my next recruiter or hiring manager screen: What is the number one priority the team is hoping to solve through this hire? Listen carefully to whatever the recruiter or hiring manager says. Based on their answer, use this as leverage and a talking point during your next round and in your thank you note. If they say, "The team is struggling with inefficient workflows that are causing delays in project timelines. We need someone to evaluate and streamline these processes." In all of your communication moving forward, speak directly to how you have helped streamline processes in the past and can do the same in this role. If they say, "We’ve had some customer service challenges, and we’re looking for someone who can help us improve the customer experience and resolve any pain points." Speak directly to how you have helped optimize customer experience or client satisfaction in the past and can do the same in this role. At most, you’ve probably got 10 minutes to ask questions at the end of an interview. Don’t waste it asking ones you can find the answers to online. Be strategic and ask questions that will provide answers you can use to your advantage moving forward. Have you ever asked this question before? What’s your favorite question to ask at the end of an interview?

As I am heading into a day full of phone interviews (looking forward to connecting with so many of you!), I wanted to share some tips for anyone preparing for initial interviews 📱 🔹The most successful candidates aren't just winging it. They've researched our mission, explored our values, and can authentically articulate why they're excited about the opportunity. They've moved beyond the generic "I'm passionate about your mission" to specific examples of how their experiences align with what we're building. 🔹 Time zones matter! I can't count how many missed connections happen because candidates didn't double-check the time zone (yes, even with calendar invites!). Always confirm the time zone when scheduling. 🔹Let's normalize phone interview realities: There will be moments of silence while I'm taking notes, times when we accidentally talk over each other, and pauses while you gather your thoughts. These moments don't define your interview. 🔹 It's absolutely okay to say, "Could I take a moment to think about that?" or "Can you repeat the question?" Better to take a moment and give a clear answer than rush to fill the silence." 🔹Find a quiet space if possible. I've had candidates take calls from their car (parked, of course!) to ensure privacy. Remember: The recruiter on the other end of the phone is genuinely rooting for you to succeed. We're not trying to trip you up – we're looking for reasons to advance you to the next round. #Recruiting #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #InterviewTips