What the recruiter is checking
The recruiter is rarely the one who decides you can do the job. They check that you match the posting's basics, that the pay and location work for both sides, that you can explain your story clearly, and that you are interested. Pass those and you go to the hiring manager.
The questions, and what a good answer does
- “Tell me about yourself.” Two minutes: what you do now, the one or two past roles that lead to this one, and why this role is the next step. Tie it to what the posting asks for.
- “Why this company? Why this role?” Something specific: the product, the team's problem, a recent launch. Not “it's a great company”.
- “Why are you leaving?” Forward-looking and short: what you want more of, not what you dislike about your employer.
- “What are your salary expectations?” See below.
- “Are you authorized to work in the US? Will you need sponsorship?” Answer truthfully; see work authorization questions.
- Location, remote or onsite, and start date. Know your answer before the call.
- “Where else are you interviewing?” You can say you are in other processes without naming them; it tells them to move quickly.
Answering the pay question
First, ask what range the role pays; many US postings now state one, and in several states employers must share it. Then either give a range whose bottom you would happily accept, based on what postings for the same work in the same place pay, or say you would like to learn more about the role first and ask for their range. Avoid naming a single number below the posted range.
Questions to ask the recruiter
- What does the rest of the process look like, and how long does it usually take?
- What would make someone successful in the first six months?
- Why is the role open: a new position or a backfill?
- What is the range for this role?
Practice out loud
Most people know their answers and still ramble on the call. Say your two-minute summary and your pay answer out loud a few times, ideally timed, before the screen.
