When an IT Recruiter Calls, Here Are Five Questions to Ask

IT is a hot industry, and there can be a lot of turnover as companies vie for the best employees in certain fields. Maybe you’re one of those people who gets “headhunted” pretty regularly, or maybe you’re new to the game. But if you’re open to making a move, what should you say when a recruiter calls?

Here are five basic questions you should ask before deciding to move forward with the process:

1. How or where did you find me?

Did they get your name from a friend or former colleague? Or is your social media profile working for you—that is, did they find you on LinkedIn, Twitter or a user forum? Or on your blog or website? It can be interesting to find out whether your online presence is working for you, or your networking.

2. Why did you decide to call me in particular?

This is a great way to find out whether the recruiter really knows his or her stuff. It’s a way of finding out why he or she thinks you’re a great fit for their client company, tells you how much effort they put into finding the best person for the job and—maybe most importantly—tells you how much they understand about the job and your qualifications for it. If the recruiter gives a weak answer or the job sounds totally unsuited for you, you’ll know the recruiter doesn’t really understand the technology field or may just be fishing for candidates.

3. How many people have you placed with this client?

Why should you care? Because if the recruiter has worked on behalf of the company in the past, and if they have successfully placed candidates, that shows a strong relationship between the recruiter and that client. Also, if they’ve worked with the company for awhile, the recruiter will be more knowledgeable about the culture and the interview process—which will help you decide if you want to go after the opportunity.

4. What kind of search is this, contingency or retained?

The recruiter may be employed by the company, But if they come from a third-party firm or staffing agency, you’ll want to know whether they are conducting a contingency-based or retained search. Why? If it’s a contingency search, the recruiter only gets paid if they place you as a candidate. Make sure they’re not working too hard to place you in a job for which you’re not really qualified. A retained search means that the recruiter or her firm is conducting the entire search, so no matter how you’re found, you will be interviewed by the search firm.

5. Is this process confidential?

Especially if you are currently working, you want to feel sure that your current boss or coworkers won’t find out you’re being courted by another company. You could end up losing your job without being sure it’s what you wanted to do.

Any more questions? Triumph can answer them! Call or contact us any time if you want to know more.