Before A Job Interview: 5 Things You Should Ask The Recruiters | Lubbin

Are you are having the intention to change your job? And you are attending a job interview? Then his article is the right one for you, simply because Lubbin is going to reveal 5 vital things you should ask the recruiters before a job interview whether it is a face-to-face or online interview.  Commonly, after your CV successfully passes the screening round, you will be invited to an interview via a phone call to proceed to the next stage of recruitment. This is the time for you to prepare and consider before attending the interview. 

What are the reasons for you to ask such things before accepting an invitation for job interviews? Simply because by asking these questions, you can decide whether to accept or refuse the invitation in order to avoid wasting time and effort for nothing. Furthermore, these crucial things may become the reasons why you should change your jobs again in the future if you don’t clear them out initially.  Alright! Let’s jump to the first point.

Salary Range

One of the most significant things you first consider when applying for a job is salary. Be honest! When you look at the job posts, your eyes always stop at the salary range after you read the job title, right? Therefore, it is crucial for you to ask about the salary range before a job interview.

It will be great if the salary range is included in the job post already. But if it is not, you should ask the recruiters directly. “Do you mind telling me about the salary range of the position I am currently applying for?” The salary range will probably help you with some basic information to consider whether to go further to the interview or stop now if the salary is under your expectation. 

Don’t be shy to ask about salary before a job interview! You really don’t want to do tests or go through several interview rounds just to find out that the salary offering to you is very poor. So, ask the recruiters about the salary range first before a job interview. If your expected salary is within the range, then proceed to the interview. If not, exit please so that both sides won’t waste time! Keep this in mind please because if you are not happy with the salary, it may cause workplace conflicts somehow.

Employee Benefits

This is the secondarily important thing you should ask the recruiters before a job interview. Employee benefits are the backbone of a company and also the key advantages for talent acquisition. Of course, the company must provide all the most basic benefits such as health care, social insurance, 13th salary, etc. By asking about the employee benefits in advance, you can assure that the company you are about to be interviewed for has all you need.

Otherwise, you can expect more benefits from a new workplace in comparison with your current one. Moreover, if you have additional requirements, you can definitely tell the recruiters. 

Actually, this is a test to filter the good companies from thousands of others out there with no proper benefits for employees. Some of you may find this unnecessary, but trust me! If you do not check the staff benefits before a job interview, you may encounter dilemmas when passing the interview and working for a company without basic packages of benefits.

Working Location

Why do you have to ask about the working location while you can check the company’s address before applying for the job? I know, but take it easy! What if the company you are applying for has several offices? In that case, we need to be aware of the working location when you are about to onboard. 

Trust me and ask this because I know a lot of recruiters are very cursory. You will not realize that you will work ‘thousands of kilometers’ away from home until your first day at work. This is a step to assure that you are well aware of the working location. If your future workplace is too far or inconvenient for you somehow, you can refuse the interview invitation right away and proceed to other jobs. No need to be shy, you have the right to know where you are going to work before a job interview.

Working Date & Time

Similar to the working location, date and time are also a big concern. The reason is that different people will prefer different working schedules and times. For instance, I like to work 5 days a week only from 9 to 5. However, a lot of companies in Asia especially in Vietnam require employees to work 6 days and even on the weekend. Unfortunately, this information is not included in the job post, so you can only find out about it when you ask the recruiters directly. 

Therefore, you’d better talk to yourself first that how many days per week you want to take and what time you will clock in and out. Believe me, the recruiters must answer you about this as long as you make questions. So, do it! Don’t waste your time doing tests and attending so many interviews, and then realize that you hate the working schedules and times of the companies.

Ask If The Interviewer Considers Your Resume Carefully Or Not

I know this seems to be an unnecessary question, but let me explain. There are millions of companies of all sizes out there, and not all of them have professional recruitment teams and procedures. Accordingly, you may run into unwanted dilemmas due to their unprofessionalism.

Here is my self-experienced story. When I first graduated, I apply for a not-so-famous fashion company in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It took me only 5 minutes to receive an interview invitation from the recruitment team. Of course, I was so excited to attend the interview that I ask the recruiter nothing. Then, I recognized the interview location was so far away from my home, and I was not so good at finding ways around the city at all. As I remembered, it rained heavily that day, I ride my motorbike for more than an hour and a half before attending the interview location safe and sound. Unlucky for me, the interview lasted only 3 minutes, and the interviewer said I was not qualified for the position. After several straightforward questions, I knew the truth that the recruiter and the interviewer did not actually read my resume but still proceeded to interview me. To be honest, I was so upset.

After that unforgettable experience, I learn a lesson that you should always double-check the information with the recruiters and ask them about everything you need to know. It’s not hurt to ask questions and consider if you should attend a job interview or not. Do not ever waste your time and effort for nothing just because you do not ask for information before a job interview. 

Conclusion

In brief, I just want to advise you guys to ask the recruiters the five things above before a job interview. This is for your own good. The clearer you know about the position you are about to apply for, the better chance you get the job you crave for. So, do it as a routine. Good luck with your interview!