Back into recruitment after 10 years – Most difficult questions to expect

Welcome back to the recruitment field! It’s totally understandable to feel a bit out of practice after a decade. Here are some questions you might encounter during your interviews, including both straightforward and more challenging “curveball” questions.

Direct Questions (Non-Curveballs)

1. What drew you back to recruitment after 10 years?

2. This question assesses your motivations and what you’ve learned over the years.

3. What strategies do you use for sourcing candidates?

4. Be prepared to discuss various tools and techniques you’ve used or want to use.

5. How do you ensure a good cultural fit between candidates and clients?

6. Sharing an approach to gauging cultural fit can demonstrate your understanding of the nuances of recruitment.

7. Can you describe your experience with recruitment software and ATS systems?

8. Discuss your familiarity with specific tools and any upgrades since your last position.

9. How do you handle difficult conversations with candidates?

10. Highlight any techniques you use to maintain professionalism while being empathetic.

Curveball Questions

1. If a hiring manager is looking for a completely unrealistic candidate profile, how do you handle that situation?

2. This tests your negotiation skills and ability to manage expectations.

3. What would you do if your candidate suddenly rescinded their acceptance at the last minute?

4. This examines your problem-solving capabilities and resilience.

5. Can you describe a time when you failed to find the right candidate and how you handled that?

6. Employers want to see how you learn from setbacks.

7. If you had to describe your recruitment style in three words, what would they be?

8. This challenges you to summarize your professional approach succinctly.

9. What trends do you see shaping the recruitment industry in the next few years?

10. This tests your awareness of industry dynamics and thought leadership.

Tips for Preparation

• Reflect on Your Past Experiences: Think about your successes and challenges in previous roles, as you can draw from these in your responses.
• Stay Updated: Familiarize yourself with the latest recruitment technologies and methodologies.
• Practice Behavioral Questions: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

Best of luck with your interviews! Remember, every experience is a chance to learn and grow. You’ve got this!