What does a Recruiter Discover in a Candidate Screen?

As a hiring manager, a recruiter can save you a lot of time and effort in the early rounds of hiring. We specialize in screening candidates with initial communication. But what exactly do we find out?

Every recruiter is different, and I can only speak for myself, but as a recruiter for the past 25+ years, I think this is a pretty good summary of what any recruiter might ask. I ask things like:

🔹 Let’s talk about your career history…

🔹 Why are you leaving your current job?

🔹 What are you looking for in a new job (i.e. industry, role, PE/VC environment vs public company vs private company)?

🔹 What are the core competencies you are looking to leverage in a new position?

🔹 What’s your timeline?

🔹 What salary range works for you? This is a tricky one in 2022.

With these types of questions out of the way, I can then recommend candidates with confidence that they are more likely to get a good fit. Your job is to come in and assess for culture fit, ask many detailed questions, and make a final judgment call on whom to hire.