Are You REALLY Interviewing… or Just Going Through the Motions?

As recruiters, we spend a lot of time interviewing. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: Are you truly engaging in the interview, or are you just going through the motions?

For years, I’ve observed this same cycle - first as an internal interviewer and now as a recruitment-to-recruitment (rec2rec) consultant. Time and time again, I see recruiters walking into interviews, asking questions that look engaging on the surface, but in reality, they’re not getting to the heart of what they really need to know.

Common Questions That Don’t Cut It

You’ve likely asked these questions during an interview before:

• “Oh, so what’s the commission structure?”

• “How long has the desk been running?”

• “Why does this position exist?”

• “How many live roles are there on the desk?”

It’s not that these questions are inherently bad. In fact, they might even seem necessary at first glance. But here’s the thing: the way you respond to the answers you get back is what truly matters.

These questions tick the box. They make you look engaged, but they don’t give you the real, actionable insights you need. What you’re missing is THE TRUTH -the deeper information that will ultimately guide your career decisions.

The Real Risk of Blindly Moving Jobs

Now, if you’re already employed, why would you risk your security, reputation, and sanity by moving blindly? Here’s the thing: when you’re making a career move, it’s not just about the title or the benefits. You have to dig deeper to ensure that this next step aligns with your long-term goals, values, and success.

A rushed or uninformed decision could mean starting over in a position that doesn’t truly offer the growth or stability you need. So, how do you get to the real truth?

How to Be a Truly Effective Interviewer

The recruiters who make the best moves aren’t the ones who just ask the standard questions and accept surface-level answers. They’re the ones who challenge the answers they receive. They push past the small talk and truly interview the interviewer.

Here are the types of questions that will help you get the real information you need:

• What’s the actual billing potential of this desk? (I want numbers, don’t just palm me off with “yeah it’s good, nots going on etc”)

• How many warm clients will I inherit? Can you name a few? (Give me specific examples)

• What percentage of the desk is repeat business vs. BD grind? (When will I realistically hit OTE?)

• What does support actually look like here? (Leads, tools, training—be specific)

  
  

These are the kinds of questions that provide clarity, transparency, and most importantly, truth. When you get the right answers, you’ll be in a much better position to make an informed decision that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

The Career-Defining Difference

Ultimately, the difference between a career-defining move and a huge regret often comes down to one simple factor: the quality of the questions you ask.

When you challenge the answers and dig deeper, you’re not just getting information - you’re getting insight. You’re uncovering the reality behind the role and the desk, giving you the tools you need to make a move that will positively impact your career for years to come.

If you walk into an interview with a curious, open mindset, and ask questions that really matter, you’re setting yourself up for success—not just today, but in the future.

Take Action

So, next time you're in an interview, whether it’s for a new role or with a potential new hire, ask yourself: Am I really interviewing, or am I just going through the motions? And more importantly, are you asking the right questions to get the answers that will help define your career?

Remember, it’s not just about what they say - it’s about how they say it.

If you found these tips helpful, or if you have your own experiences to share, leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how others approach interviews and what questions have made all the difference in your career journey.

Conclusion:

In this blog post, I took a LinkedIn post I shared and expanded upon it to give a deeper dive into how you can elevate your interviewing game. Hopefully, these insights help you feel more confident and prepared the next time you sit down for an interview. After all, a great recruiter doesn’t just accept the surface-level answers - they dig for the truth.