Tag Archive for: questions

Questions to Ask A Mentor

As the summer is coming to a close and internships are winding down, we want to talk about questions you should be asking your mentor! Mentors are full of useful information, stories, and connections! Maybe you spent the whole summer avoiding asking them anything- but now is your last chance! Continue reading below for some great questions!

Stories: People love to tell stories. Stories can help you get to know someone and learn about their career! Your mentor probably has a lot of stories if they have been in their career for a long time!

  1. How did you land your current role?
  2. Did you envision this is where you would be?
  3. Can you tell me about a difficult boss? How did you handle it?
  4. What is the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned and how is it valuable?
  5. Can you tell me about a setback and how you recovered?

Situations: Talking about real-life situations that have happened is a great way to learn. You can ask your mentor specific questions regarding the situations they have been through. Use this time to ask them about a situation you are going through, so they can help you navigate through it.

  1. I’m considering a career transition. What do you see as the pros and cons?
  2. What advice can you offer on how to progress in my career?
  3. How can I bring up difficult conversations with my boss?
  4. Who are the people in this organization I need to align with so I can achieve success?
  5. How do you successfully stay connected with key people who do not work in the same office or area?

Self-Awareness: Having self-awareness can help you improve your work performance. This can provide you with some insight into how others see you in the work place. Your mentor is a great person to talk about this topic with because they will tell you what you need to hear, but also give you advice on how to improve.

  1. Where do you see my strengths and what should I focus on to improve?
  2. How do you think others perceive me?
  3. How am I viewed by leadership?
  4. How could I have communicated my ideas more clearly?
  5. What do you see as some of my blind spots?

Skill-Building: Everyone has room to improve, even mentors! You mentor has most likely spent their whole career improving and mastering their skillsets. They are the perfect person to ask for specific examples and strategies to build your skills!

  1. How do you approach risktaking?
  2. What new skills do I need to move ahead?
  3. How can I become a more assertive negotiator?
  4. How can I become better at managing people who do not report to me?
  5. How can I enhance my public speaking skills?

Mentors can provide you with so many advantages. If you have a mentor, take advantage of it! Use this list of questions (and add in your own too!) to get as much information as you can. Soak it all up and take notes! The best way to learn is to learn through others.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Read our article here to learn why mentors are a must-have!

Questions to Ask a Recruiter

Are you in the midst of a job search and considering a recruiter’s help? At Esquire Recruiting LLC, we know how invaluable a recruiter can be to a job search. It’s a great way to find a role that is fit for you. Continue reading below to find out some important questions you should be asking your recruiter!

What are the main qualifications the employer is looking for? 

  • This is an essential question to ask because you need to know more about the position. This question will give you insight into what the recruiter’s client is expecting from candidates and you if applying for the position. The recruiter has most likely spoken with the employer about qualifications and potentially even received a list of exactly what the employer is looking for.

What is the job description?

  • Asking this question will tell you what the client/employer expects. It’s basic information, but also very important to know if you choose to move forward and apply. Just like the qualifications, the recruiter knows what the job description is and what the expectations are.

How long has this job been open?

  • This is a fair question to ask because you want to know all the details. The job search process can be tedious and overwhelming. If the job just opened, you may be one of the first candidates to interview, which means the employer is probably going through other interviews as well. This isn’t a necessary question to know, but it can help you determine a time frame for how long you may be waiting to hear back from an employer or when the position will be filled.

What experience do you have recruiting in this industry?

  • Recruiters are filled with knowledge. They see endless amounts of resumes per day and speak with multitudes of people. Asking them their experience is a fair question and can help you gain trust in them for your job search. Recruiters with good experience know the field like the back of their hand.

What information do you have about the company?

  • The recruiter most likely has a relationship with this company or even exclusively works with the hiring manager. Asking this question can help you understand more about how the company operates and what their work culture is like.

Asking recruiters questions is a great way to establish a relationship with them and make a great first impression! There are so many more questions that you can ask them- don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Recruiters can provide you with such great information, such as- resume help, tips for interviews/interview process, and even insight into information about an employer.

Searching for a new role? Check out our open jobs list!

Read this article to discover why you should stay in touch with recruiters after the job search is over! 

Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job Offer

This week, we are talking about accepting job offers. Accepting a job offer can be so exciting yet scary at the same time. A new job can come with a lot of unknown territories, which is why we are going to discuss a list of questions that you should ask before accepting any job offer. You want to be sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into, so you can make sure the job is right for you!

The Role

The first category that you want to ask questions about is the role itself. Before jumping into saying yes, be sure this role is fitting for you. Knowing what to expect will be greatly beneficial to you and clarify what the job entails. Below is a list of questions to ask regarding the job!

  • When do I start?
  • What are my immediate priorities?
  • What does a normal day look like in this job role?
  • What are the expectations of me?

The Team

This is another important category to ask questions about. Almost every employee has a team or is interacting with people throughout the workday. You might be attending meetings or being assigned projects that involve other colleagues. Asking these questions will give you an understanding about who you are working with or working for.

  • Who will I report to directly?
  • Will anyone be reporting to me?
  • Who will I work with most closely?
  • Is there anyone on the team that can help me get settled and provide guidance?
  • What is the company culture?

The Salary & Benefits

For some people, this may be an uncomfortable topic to talk about, but it is imperative. You want to know that you are going to be fairly compensated for your work and receiving good benefits. Try to work past any uncomfortable feelings, and ask these important questions!

  • Is the salary negotiable?
  • What is included as part of the benefits package?
  • What are the main working hours?
  • How many paid sick days/personal days do I receive?
  • How much paid vacation time will I get in the course of a year?

These questions are all great examples of what you should ask before accepting any job offer. If you’re in between offers, knowing the answers to these questions can be a deciding factor for what job you choose. Educate yourself on the company itself and the job role before accepting any offer!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Not ready to accept a job offer? Find out how to decline the job offer here!