I've never dealt with employment recruiters before, but was recently contacted by one concerning a management position. I received the job description via e-mail after a brief phone conversation and wanted to investigate the position further. I just wanted to know what would be some good questions to ask them about the position, and if it would be any different than dealing with the hiring company directly? Thanks

 

the couple recruiters i dealt with were there to make $. they pushed stupid shit on me that i wasn't really all that interested in....They were setting me up for interviews at places 40 miles from my house.... 60+ minute commute.... then got pissed when I told them i wasn't interested. But they are just trying to make some $.

I would ask as many questions as you want about the job so you know you aren't wasting your time.

ask about their internet speed and porno filters.....

 

how much?

 

That's near the top of my list. They gave me an overview of the position in the e-mail (couldn't really talk over the phone since I was at work), but they didn't tell me the name of the company. I thought that was kind of odd, but I guess it's a question to be reserved for conversation.

 

They will almost never tell you the name of the company until things get serious.

however, they are trying to place you in that job.. you only have to impress them enough that they forward your resume. So I'd ask anything you want.

benifits, location, hours, bonuses, advancement, responibilties, and as players says.. how much..

 

you can ask them anything you want, they dont know nothing. they just put two people together and hope for the best. the situation is less than useful if they dont have a specific job on the other end for you. they cant read your resume, dont know the business you are in.

head hunters are like newspapers and fax machines

 

Remember one VERY important thing about recruiters, the more money they get you, the more money THEY make. So, he will do everything possible to get you a job. Problem is, most of them are braindead idiots.
Keep talking to him, and see where it leads.

 

Would it be best to ask salary and benefits questions in an introductory conversation, or wait until an interview? In jobs that I've previously gotten, salary was usually negotiated after an offer of emplyment was made.

 

And that will most likely be the case here, but I would expect the recruiter to know the salary range.. so you can ask for it.

 

Yes, find out the salary and benefit from the recruiter right away. You don't have to act like Mr. Congeniality in front of them. You are in it for the $$ and so are they.

What you should do really is tell them the salary range you are looking for in your next job. It'll save you time and theirs. If a particular job's salary is not too far below your asking price, their could usually renegotiate w/ the hiring company to perhaps raise the salary a bit provided you are an attractive candidate.