Most job seekers may have work with recruitment consultants at one time or another. They act as the external recruiter for employers. Try working with one if you have not done so for they can be very effective. The recruitment consultants most often than not have a history of working with their clients/employers and thus, they serve as an excellent source of information. So, do not be afraid to ask them questions especially when you are short listed for an interview with their clients.

Here is the list of questions you should ask:

1.How long have you been working with your client/employer?

2.What can you tell me about the interviewer or hiring manager?

3.What exactly is the company looking for in this position?

4.Is the job a replacement or new position?

5.(If it’s a replacement) Do you have any idea why the employee left the position?

6.How long has the company been looking?

7.How urgent is the position? When do they want this new hire to commence work?

8.Have they been interviewing other candidates before me?

9.How is the interviewing process? How many interviews needed before they make a hire?

10.What are the areas or my background that I should be emphasizing?

11.How many candidates have been short listed from your side and what are my chances as compared to them?

12.What do I need to do to be hired?

The recruitment consultant may not be able to provide answers to all your questions but it does not hurt to ask anyway. Even though the information you obtained may not guarantee you the job but it would certainly give you an edge over the competition.

All the best!

Useful Readings:-

Questions To Ask Before The First Interview »

Questions To Ask The Interviewer »

Questions To Ask Yourself About Your Strengths And Weaknesses »