When it comes to job interviews, it’s easy to assume that every person sitting across the table (or on your screen) wants the same thing, but that’s far from the truth. Each person in the hiring process has their own unique agenda, expectations, and vibe. Think of it like a band: the recruiter is the drummer keeping the rhythm, the hiring manager is the lead singer calling the shots, and the team members are the backup dancers trying to figure out if you fit the choreography.
Let’s break it down, person by person, and give you some insider tips on what they’re really after—and what you should ask them.
The Recruiter: Your First Friend in the Process
Recruiters are your gateway to the kingdom. They don’t care (yet) if you can revolutionize the industry or build a rocket in your backyard. Their job is to make sure you check the basic boxes: qualifications, experience, salary, and availability. Recruiters don’t need you to solve world hunger in this conversation—they just need to confirm you know how to hold a spoon.
Questions to Expect:
• Why are you interested in this position?
• Tell me about your experience with [relevant skill or tool].
• Are you open to the compensation range for this role?
What You Should Ask:
• What’s the most important skill or trait the hiring team is looking for?
• Can you tell me more about the company culture?
• How does this role contribute to the company’s overall goals?
Pro Tip: Be your best self but don’t overdo it. A recruiter doesn’t need a TED Talk about your life philosophy—they just want to know you’re qualified and nice enough to not make them look bad for recommending you.
The Hiring Manager: The Decision Maker
The hiring manager is where things get serious. They’re trying to solve a problem, and you’re either the solution or not. They want to know if you have the skills, experience, and smarts to add value to the team. It’s not just about competence, they also want to see if you’re someone they’ll enjoy working with. In short, they’re picturing you on their team and asking, “Will this person make my life easier or harder?”
Questions to Expect:
• Can you walk me through how you handled a challenging situation at work?
• How would you approach [specific task or project]?
• What are your career goals, and how does this role fit into them?
What You Should Ask:
• What does success look like in this role, especially in the first 90 days?
• What’s your leadership style?
• What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now, and how can I help solve it?
Pro Tip: This is your chance to showcase your problem-solving skills. Don’t just tell them you can do the job—paint a picture of how you’ll crush it.
The Team Members: Your Potential Work BFFs
Team members are sizing you up to see if you’ll be a good addition to their work dynamic. Can they trust you? Will you make their lives easier or harder? Are you the kind of person they can joke with on Slack without HR stepping in? They’re not the final decision-makers, but their input can sway things significantly.
Questions to Expect:
• How do you like to collaborate with teammates?
• Can you describe a time when you contributed to a group project?
• How do you handle feedback?
What You Should Ask:
• What’s the team dynamic like?
• What’s something you love about working here? (And what’s one thing you’d change?)
• How do you usually celebrate wins as a team?
Pro Tip: This is the part of the process where you can let your personality shine a bit. Be professional but relatable. Nobody wants to work with a robot.
Every stage of the interview process is like peeling an onion (except with less crying—hopefully). The recruiter wants to know if you’re worth passing along. The hiring manager wants to know if you’ll solve their problems. And the team members want to know if you’ll fit into their workplace sitcom. The key is to adapt your answers to each person’s perspective while staying authentic. They’re not just hiring your skills—they’re hiring you.
Final Sample Question to Ask Everyone:
“If I were to get this role, what advice would you give me to be successful here?”
Now go out there, charm their socks off, and land that job!