10 things you hate to ask, but should

What you don’t ask may come back to haunt you! 10 questions every recruiter hates to ask.

How many times do we look to fill our job vs. work as a trusted advisor with our clients and consultants?

It is almost a protective human instinct to shy away from the hard questions or those that we don’t want to know the answer to. In the business of placing candidates in jobs, we often look for the reason to say yes and avoid all the reasons we should say no. Saying NO can make you the best asset to both your candidates and clients, and they don’t even know it yet.

Are you currently interviewing with anyone else?
Would you consider a counter offer?
Have you told your current employer you are unhappy? Asked for wants?
What were you last making vs. what do you want?
Have you ever worked in a an environment like this before if not, what makes you think this is a fit
Reasons you have left your last few positions
Gaps in employment
Ability or willingness to complete a background and/or drug or Credit Check
Ask the candidate to describe in detail why they think they are a fit for this position as described
Have them help you write their resume/write up

If you don't ask, you are left unprepared for the red flags that turn into deal breakers.

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Comment by Bruce Rowles on August 31, 2012 at 12:26pm: Hey Emily - great list - thanks for sharing. These are good initial questions.

Comment by Bill Schultz on August 31, 2012 at 12:41pm: Good list. I might add that most of these questions should not only be asked at initial screening; but also after each event. Because, things change. And it doesn't suffice to say "any changes since we last talked?" Although that's a good one too.

Comment by Jerry Albright on August 31, 2012 at 1:19pm: Bill - your reply reminds me of how many times I've heard other recrutiers say "Nothing's changed has it?" Hiding from reality.....:)(

Comment by Bill Schultz on August 31, 2012 at 1:54pm: Right, assumptive close backfire. ;p

Comment by Emily Gordon on September 5, 2012 at 8:23am: I like that Theresa... Thanks everyone for your contributions!

Comment by Tiffany Branch on September 25, 2012 at 12:57pm: What is so difficult about asking these questions? I would think it is a given.

Comment by Emily Gordon on September 25, 2012 at 1:00pm: Again, not difficult, just that often they get overlooked or the answers are taken at face value vs looking for more depth.

Comment by Will Thomson on November 1, 2012 at 1:13pm: Jerry- the first two you mentioned about interviewing with someone else and accepting a counteroffer are essential. You will get burned if you haven't already if you don't ask those questions. Good points.

Comment by pam claughton on December 2, 2012 at 9:28am: These are all very basic questions that should all be asked of every candidate. But, I have seen newer recruiters shy away from them, afraid to hear any 'bad news'. It takes them awhile before they get that asking the questions can save a deal vs. not asking and then getting hit with all kinds of surprises. The cross your fingers and hope they take it approach rarely works. :)

Agree with Bill on the what's changed question. You have to ask every time you talk to a candidate.

Comment by Angela R. Furbee on December 3, 2012 at 3:29pm: At a minimum, these questions should be asked, and then some. If my recruiters were not asking at least these questions, I would question their true ability at doing their job, or maybe I failed as a manager in teaching them the proper way to recruit and genuinely show value to both the candidate and client.