What Questions Should I Ask a Recruiter at a Jobs Fair?

Prepare appropriate questions

When visiting jobs fairs, you must be prepared to ask recruiters insightful questions during any exchange. These can be slipped into the conversation if it feels appropriate to do so, but you will usually be given the opportunity to ask any questions you might have at the end of it. As you will have done your homework regarding which companies will be attending the jobs fair, you are likely to know who you plan to approach, so these questions can be pre- prepared ahead of the day.

Not only can appropriate questions help to show you in a good light with recruiters, but they can also answer any queries you might have regarding a specific job. Questions should be tailored to the company or individual with whom you are speaking, but be careful not to bombard them by asking too many. If you have four or five specific questions up your sleeve, this will help to give the best impression.

So, what type of questions should you ask? This is a chance for you to demonstrate your qualifications and interest in the company, so use it wisely. You will also learn more about the job role and the business, which will prove very helpful if you are lucky enough to be invited to interview.

 

1. Ask about the recruitment process to show you are a serious candidate and are eager to start work at the company in question.

Example questions include:

What are the steps in the application process?

How long will it be before candidates hear if they have been successful?

How can I increase my chances of being successful?

When would it be appropriate for me to follow up with you?

 

2. Ask if there is the opportunity for career growth to show you are hardworking and have the right kind of attitude to go far in the business.

Example questions include:

Is there opportunity within the company for progression?

What kind of management opportunities do you foresee down the line?

How does the company support its employees as they acquire new skills?

Does the company offer training or mentoring?

How does the company work to upskill its employees?

 

3. Ask about the role itself to confirm you are suitable.

Example questions include:

What would you say are the biggest challenges of the role?

What is the team’s goal for the next six months?

What kind of attributes would the ideal candidate have?

4. Ask about the company to show you are intent on working there, you have done your research, and that you are a good fit.

Example questions include:

I recently read an article about x, can you explain a bit more about the company’s position?

How does the company plan to move forward this year?

How would you describe the company culture?

What kind of communication do line managers have with their team?

 

Being prepared to ask the right questions at a jobs fair will give you a confidence boost and help familiarise you with the recruiter ahead of any interview. However, if you ask the wrong questions, you could really blow your chances of presenting yourself as the ideal candidate for the job.

 

Examples of poor questions include:

How much will I get paid?

What is the holidays allowance?

Do employees have much social time outside work together?

Do I have to work overtime?

Does the company have a strict policy on lateness?

Will I get plenty of time for my lunchbreak?

 

Stay away from negative attention

As you have not yet been offered a job, you should not act as if you have already secured it. Questions regarding pay and benefits only tend to be answered after you have accepted the job. If you ask this kind of question at a jobs fair, you could give the impression you are unmotivated, self-obsessed and lazy.

In addition, you should also stay away from questions that draw attention to something negative on your CV, whether it’s a criminal record, a gap in your employment history, or a situation in which you were fired from a previous role. This line of conversation would not help to get you off to a good start with a prospective employer, as it does not portray the type of image they would want in a new recruit.