Transparency between recruiters and candidates is an important factor for those who are looking to find an engineering job. There are often discrepancies that separate what the engineering recruiter thinks the candidate wants vs. what engineers actually want.
To make sure everyone is on the same page, here are 10 questions to ask a recruiter when talking about a potential engineering position.
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10 Questions to Ask an Engineering Recruiter
1. What are the make-or-break qualifications the employer is looking for?
There’s probably an endless string of qualifications that the employer is looking for. However, there are most likely 3 to 4 key requirements that are deal-breakers for the position. Putting these key requirements at the forefront will help gauge if the job is something for you.
2. What are the daily duties?
Asking about the job description should be a no-brainer, but you should think more specifically if the day-to-day activities are something that you’d be willing to wake up and do every day. Think about what you are looking to achieve, and if this position will add or stagnate your skills. Go beyond the basic job description into the more routine – what is your typical day going to look like?
3. How many other candidates have been considered for this position?
Getting an idea of what your competition might look like is a smart move. A reputable engineering recruiter, like Strom Minnesota, will be working directly with the employer and have insight as to how many other candidates are currently interested in the job – as well as how many have completed the interview process without accepting the job. This can provide valuable insight for how competitive the job is, and how quickly you need to take action if you’re interested.
4. How long has the engineering position been open?
Finding out how long the position has been open will help you determine if there is going to be a lot of “catch-up” work while the position was vacant. It will also allow you to ask follow-up questions during the interview process.
5. Why is this job open?
Asking questions about if there is a lot of turnovers in this position, if it was a promotion, what the tenure is like, etc. will help you figure out if the position is going to work well for you and what you are looking for. Your recruiter should be able to provide this information.
6. Where is the position located?
Having the location in mind, talk with your recruiter about if you are willing to relocate or want to stay in your area. This will help with transparency with what you are looking for in terms of location.
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7. What is the company culture like?
Providing information about what the culture in the office is like will help you to visualize what the job will be like. This will also give you more insight into how the employer values their engineers, which is important.
8. What is the compensation package?
Never be afraid to ask about the compensation for the position, because it’s a big factor, you need income to survive. In addition to salary, it’s important to ask about how benefits and PTO will be included, as these will help you determine your work and life balance.
9. What does the interview process look like?
All companies have a different interview process – some are extensive with tests, some aren’t. Asking questions about the interview process will help you in understanding the company and how the management team will be involved, giving you a better chance at success.
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10. What do you know about the company?
If a recruiter has worked directly with the company, they’ll be able to tell you more beyond the information that you can find through your research. Going beyond the scope of company culture, requirements, and tools, you’ll be about to learn more about how things work internally.
Talking with a job recruiter shouldn’t be taken lightly, they will help you get more information on the positions that you’re looking for, based on your wants and needs.
Want more job-searching tips? Working with an experienced engineering recruiter like Strom Minnesota can help you prepare for any job interview and take the hard work out of finding positions. Don’t waste your time scouring the internet for job postings or waste time applying with multiple individual employers. Strom Minnesota takes all the hard work out of the job search, so you can find a new position faster.
Strom Minnesota is an engineering and technical recruitment agency that specializes in high-skilled job candidates for highly technical positions. We facilitate contract employment, project staffing, temp-to-perm and direct hire opportunities. Industries served include IT, engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. We are affiliated with Strom Engineering, a national staffing and recruitment agency.
