So you’ve landed an interview—congratulations! But what now?
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you're applying for your first recruitment role. Preparation is key. The more ready you are, the more confident you'll feel on the day. A huge part of this preparation involves familiarizing yourself with potential interview questions and considering how you might respond. Interview Tips for Experienced Recruiters.
At My Recruiter Job, we’ve compiled a helpful guide to walk you through the process—from common interview questions to what to wear and how to close the interview.
Common Recruitment Interview Questions
Take time to reflect on each of these questions. Practice your responses, and where possible, back up your answers with specific examples from your education, work experience, or life situations.
Personal & Motivational
- What are your professional and educational qualifications to date?
- Why do you want to work in recruitment?
- What motivates you?
- What are your unique selling points?
- Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
- What achievements are you most proud of?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Role-Specific & Experience-Based
- What skills do you have that will make you a good recruitment consultant?
- What experience do you have that’s relevant to a recruitment role?
- What do you know about our company?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What do you know about the recruitment marketplace?
- What is your understanding of the role of a recruitment consultant?
- What else have you done to secure a position in recruitment?
Competency-Based
- When have you worked to targets?
- How have you performed against those targets?
- When have you demonstrated resilience?
- When have you used persuasive skills?
- When have you shown a competitive nature?
- Tell me about a difficult situation you faced. How did you overcome it?
Great Questions to Ask the Interviewer
When you're asked, "Do you have any questions for us?" don’t say, “No, I think you've covered everything.” Asking thoughtful questions shows you're serious about the opportunity and helps you decide if this company is the right fit for you.
About the Company
- Why is this position available?
- What are your plans for future growth?
- How is the company structured?
- What is the company culture like?
- Are you more candidate- or client-led?
- Who are your competitors?
About the Role
- What training will I receive?
- What are the long-term progression opportunities?
- How soon can I expect to make placements or attend client meetings?
- How is performance measured?
- What can I expect in the first 3 to 6 months?
About the Team
- What size is the team I’d be working in?
- How are the teams structured?
- How competitive are the teams?
- Which team is the most successful and why?
Finishing Strong
Always thank your interviewer for their time and consider asking:
- What are the next steps in the process?
- When should I expect to hear from you?
Interview Do's and Don’ts
How you present yourself, interact, and follow up is just as important as what you say. Here’s a checklist to guide your behavior before, during, and after the interview.
Do:
- Dress professionally: polished shoes, smart attire, and neat grooming.
- Research the company thoroughly.
- Prepare meaningful questions to ask at the end.
- Arrive on time or early.
- Greet with a firm handshake.
- Sit upright, stay engaged, and make eye contact.
- Answer questions clearly and concisely.
- Use examples to support your answers.
- Know your CV inside out, including any gaps.
- Be honest about other interviews or offers.
- Show genuine interest and enthusiasm.
- Thank the interviewer and close the interview with confidence.
Don’t:
- Lie about your experience.
- Speak negatively about previous employers.
- Share irrelevant personal anecdotes.
- Be sarcastic or facetious.
- Slouch or appear too casual.
- Use inappropriate language or slang.
- Chew gum or smoke before the interview.
- Fidget or avoid eye contact.
- Decline to ask questions at the end.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a recruitment interview is about more than just answering questions correctly. It’s about showcasing your enthusiasm, professionalism, and cultural fit. Treat every interview as a valuable learning experience, and regardless of the outcome, it will bring you one step closer to your ideal role.
Ready to take your recruitment career to the next level? Let My Recruiter Jobs connect you with exclusive, high-paying opportunities today!