Author: Arrow Search Partners

“Do you have any questions for me?” In an interview setting, you will most likely hear this question. Before an interview, you not only must research the company, employees, and job description, but you want to have thoughtful, inquisitive questions prepared.

It is extremely important to be prepared with 5-8 questions to ask your interviewer. It will show your eagerness and preparedness. Asking questions allows you to learn more about the company and see if you can envision yourself there. Similarly, it educates you on the daily functions and culture of the firm. If your interviewer doesn’t ask “Do you have any questions for me?” during the interview, you still want to ask questions. It will show your genuine interest in the firm and role. You want to ask specific, clear questions. Do not ask surface levels ones or talk badly about your previous role. Steer clear of any questions regarding salary or benefits.

We interviewed Executive Director of Accounting and Finance, JT Kirk, to gain his insight.

What are some great questions to ask in an interview?

As a candidate interviewing for a role, the main questions you want to focus on should revolve around the company culture, the role/responsibilities, and the people at the firm. You always want to ask yourself, “What is the hiring manager looking for in this hire?” as it can help shape your questions.

What is a question you should never ask?

Never ask what the hours are.  Rather, you should say “What is a typical day like?”

Never ask about compensation and benefits either.  Save that question for your recruiter, they will make sure you have all the proper information so you can make a well-informed decision.

Why is it crucial to ask questions in an interview?

Questions are a vital part of an interview for a few different reasons.  Firstly, it shows you care and have a strong interest in the opportunity you are interviewing for.  If a candidate does not show an interest in the role, then most likely the interviewer will not move them forward to the next round. Secondly, as someone interviewing for a role you want to make sure you have the proper information necessary to make a decision. I would recommend asking four or five questions to each person you meet in an interview. 

Lastly, you should never answer a question with a yes or no response.  A good interview has a strong back and forth dialogue with the candidate and the hiring manager.  Make sure you do your research on the company and the hiring manager and are prepared to ask questions to have a successful interview. 

We interviewed our Associate Director of Internal Operations, Kat Benedetto, to get her thoughts as she interviews many of our internal hires here at Arrow.

One of the biggest things I notice when interviewing candidates is whether their questions make sense for what they are interviewing for or not. This gives me an insight into whether they have spent time studying the job description, they understand the role they are interviewing for, and the type of company they are interviewing with. I also find that you can tell if the candidate has done their due diligence on researching the company and the person they are interviewing with. Some of my best conversations have been with these types of candidates.

What are some great questions to ask in an interview?

I always like it when candidates ask about previous projects a person in the current role has worked on – this gives them insight into the type of work that goes on and if that work is of interest to them, outside of the daily tasks assigned to them.

What is a memorable question someone has asked you in an interview?

I once had a candidate ask me to describe Arrow in three words – this is usually one that the interviewee asks, and I think by having the candidate ask they can align their values with the company. It is a two-way street and both the candidate and the company need to make sure there is a fit there to be successful.  

When a candidate says, “I have no questions”, what does it make you think?

My initial reaction is that they are not interested, or they are not fully prepared and are not understanding the role enough to ask questions.

As spring semester approaches its end for seniors, many find themselves in the internal struggle of what life after college will look like. Finding an entry-level role, one that will hopefully start after graduation may be something you are looking for. A job in the recruiting space can provide you with instant career progression and give you the ability to learn about a number of business lines such as Accounting, Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology. Working in recruitment allows you to be collaborative with your peers and challenges you to help people find their dream jobs, which is very rewarding. If you like working with people and thrive in a fast-paced environment, recruiting is a great career to consider after college.

We interviewed some of our recent graduates at Arrow, Jenna Vasilakopoulos and Conor Fenton to gain their insight.

How did you get your start in recruiting?

“I was first introduced to recruiting in college when one of our partners, David Gaber, who is an alumnus at SUNY Oneonta, spoke to my business class about the recruiting space. After hearing about it in my junior year, I became interested in the industry as it was a profession I could see myself succeeding in. David spoke about all the benefits of a career in recruiting and that my outgoing personality would be a great fit, so I decided to give it a shot and am so glad I did.” – Jenna, Associate Director, Accounting and Finance

 “A friend of my fellow colleague Jon Swartz recommended that I check out Arrow. Being open to any client-facing role in NYC, after the interview process with Arrow I was sold on everything about the opportunity, the people, the culture and the organization as a whole.” – Conor, Analyst, Accounting and Finance  

What advice would you give upcoming college graduates about a career in recruiting? How do they know it’s right for them?

“Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. The quicker you become comfortable being uncomfortable, the better you will be at anything you do. You never know something is right for you unless you give it a shot, and sometimes all you need is a shot. Bet on yourself.” – Conor, Analyst, Accounting and Finance  

“I would give the advice that if you are driven, motivated, and money-hungry recruiting is a great industry to be in. It is a very faced-paced environment where you are constantly challenged. Alternatively, it is a very rewarding and satisfying profession as well. If you enjoy challenging yourself, working hard, and reaping the benefits of your hard work, recruiting is a good direction to go in.” – Jenna, Associate Director, Accounting and Finance

How has Arrow Search Partners helped train and mentor you?

“Arrow Search has given me tremendous support and valuable mentorship lessons that go beyond the recruiting industry. The best part about work is that I am working day in and day out with people who want to see me succeed and be the best version of myself.” Conor, Analyst, Accounting and Finance  

“Arrow has taught me everything I know! As my first job and knowing very little about the accounting/finance space as well as recruiting space, they taught me everything. In addition to teaching me the fundamentals and basics, as mentors, they have helped guide me in every avenue. Arrow has become family to me as I not only look up to the senior-level team for assistance in the workplace but on a personal level as well. They really take you under their wing, guide, mentor, and help you flourish.” – Jenna, Associate Director, Accounting and Finance

What have you learned about yourself in your early years in recruitment?

“I have learned a lot about myself professionally and personally. I have learned to push myself outside my comfort zone, to be hungry, and to always come in with a motivated attitude. As a result, I was super successful in my first year of recruitment. With the positives, I also learned that sometimes scenarios occur that are outside of your control, and you will make mistakes but rather than get down on yourself, use every situation as a learning lesson that will make you that much better.” – Jenna, Associate Director, Accounting and Finance

What is your favorite story about helping out a candidate so far?

“There are a lot, as my favorite part of this job is meeting new people, developing new relationships, and helping each candidate in a unique manner that is special to them. However, my favorite story was when I helped a candidate gain a very large increase in salary. My candidate was 24 years old and young in their career. Being close in age, throughout the entire process, my candidate and I had a lot in common and related to each other in multiple manners. When I presented the offer details, the candidate said “Jenna, you just changed my life.” The response of my candidate put into perspective for me that recruiters really do positively impact the lives of our candidates. Of course, the commission I earned from closing the deal felt nice, but what felt even more rewarding was the gratitude, thankfulness, and excitement that my candidate expressed.” – Jenna, Associate Director, Accounting and Finance

When you are looking for a new opportunity, it is natural to want to present yourself in the best light to not only your recruiter, but to your future employer. One major benefit of having a recruiter is that they have the ear of their clients and can vouch for you. But they need all the information up front, even if you think it’s not relevant or may hinder you from landing the role. You want to ensure your resume and your work and life history is an accurate, truthful reflection of you.

Do not fabricate the following on your resume:

• Employment History (this includes the titles held at the company and the time frame in which you worked at the company)
• Professional Licenses (for example: a CPA verification)
• Professional References
• Education History
• Skills (only list skills you are proficient in)

Investopedia reported “a 2022 study from ResumeLab that surveyed over 1,000 people showed that 36% of respondents admitted to lying on their resume and 93% said that they knew someone who lied.” – Jane Fowler, reviewed by Andrew Schmidt, Investopedia.

Being straightforward with your recruiter and on your resume comes down to a few key reasons, one of which is a lot of companies run background checks. Odds are you are going to get caught if you lied somewhere on your resume. Falsifying your resume can cause you to lose out on a job opportunity and tarnish your reputation. The world is smaller than we think and there is a potential risk of this getting back to your current employer. Lying on a resume can negatively affect your chances of getting hired again. How would you expect a company to trust you if you cannot even trust your own skill set or provide accurate references?

It is crucial to be honest with your recruiter, even if you were fired previously or have a criminal history. Your recruiter can hear your situation and advocate for you. Misrepresenting yourself or withholding important information will hinder their efforts.  You were hired because of your intangibles, your skill set, and experience. If you do not tell the truth on your resume, you could have your character called into question.

Transparency is key when it comes to working with your recruiter. Regardless of your background or experience, being honest and forthright is the only way to work with your recruiter. It is imperative to be truthful and in turn, you could land the opportunity of a lifetime.  Interested in working with one of our Arrow recruiters? Take a look at Our Team to reach out today!

We are proud to announce our new temporary and temporary to permanent placement department, Arrow Search Staffing. The Arrow Search Staffing team focuses on connecting businesses to workers for temporary contract assignments.

What are contract roles?

Temporary job opportunities are available at companies to assist them with critical work that needs to be done immediately and with special projects that could arise from both growth within an organization or a challenging time where they need sudden support. These roles are set at a fixed pay rate and often for a fixed amount of time. If you are qualified, contract roles suit those that don’t want to be tied down to a full time job and also for those that have a specialized skill set that they can bring to an organization for a certain period of time.

How can I benefit from a temporary role?

There are a number of reasons why individuals can excel and learn from a temporary position:

• You are consistently exposed to new organizations and industries
• If you perform well in your role, you may be eligible for a permanent job opportunity at the end of the assignment. This could be a golden ticket to showcasing your talent and landing your dream full time job
• It can be a great way to network and expand your current skill set
• Positions can be both in-person and remote
• They can fill gaps and provide unique experience on your resume during a time when you may otherwise be unemployed
• They can provide additional income

Hear from our Director of Temporary Staffing who specializes in IT, Nicole Waida, as to why you should seek temporary employment.

“You should be seeking temporary and contracting positions because it allows for a variety of work. As a contractor, you get to work on different types of projects with different types of clients. You get exposure to the innovative and ever-changing world of tech. Getting to see how different platforms and languages are utilized in each new project with each new client will develop a robust background while building a diverse skill set!

As a contractor, you also have a lot of autonomy in your work. The client will typically look to you as an expert. You will have control over the work delegated and decisions made on how to approach a project, since it will be new to everyone on the team.

Overall, contracting allows flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to grow in your career.”

If you are interested in learning more about our contract roles, please email hiring@arrowsearchpartners.com.