In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect? Forum
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In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
Have a phone call with an in-house recruiter for a position that I applied for. What's the general purpose of these phone calls? Are they similar to the 20 min screener that law firms generally do, or is it more informal? Any insight on what to expect would be much appreciated.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
I just had one of these the other day. It was only 20 minutes long but wouldn't say informal. The recruiter had a defined list of questions to ask me about my experience/qualifications.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
I just had one of these the other day. It was only 20 minutes long but wouldn't say informal. The recruiter had a defined list of questions to ask me about my experience/qualifications.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
OP here. Thanks, that's helpful. Sounds like the equivalent of a screener at a law firm.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
It depends on the company, but yes it’s usually similar to a law firm screener. Though it tends to be a little more rigid than a law firm screener, since the recruiter likely doesn’t actually have much familiarity with the job and therefore is going to stick more tightly to their planned questions.
Sometimes though it’s like 25% screener and 75% the recruiter preparing you for the interview process and volunteering the information that it might be kind of awkward to ask the actual lawyers (eg, expected comp package). But yeah I would prepare for it like it’s a screener.
Sometimes though it’s like 25% screener and 75% the recruiter preparing you for the interview process and volunteering the information that it might be kind of awkward to ask the actual lawyers (eg, expected comp package). But yeah I would prepare for it like it’s a screener.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
OP here. Interesting that recruiters divulge expected comp info. Thanks.Elston Gunn wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:40 amIt depends on the company, but yes it’s usually similar to a law firm screener. Though it tends to be a little more rigid than a law firm screener, since the recruiter likely doesn’t actually have much familiarity with the job and therefore is going to stick more tightly to their planned questions.
Sometimes though it’s like 25% screener and 75% the recruiter preparing you for the interview process and volunteering the information that it might be kind of awkward to ask the actual lawyers (eg, expected comp package). But yeah I would prepare for it like it’s a screener.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
They're not much like law firm screeners, IMO. The recruiter isn't an attorney and doesn't know much about legal issues. He or she generally will ask a few basic questions to make sure you meet the requirements in the job description ("tell me about your experience drafting commercial contracts..."), as well as some questions about your work experience. You'll probably get the standard questions too like why do you want to work here. Once I got a few behavioral questions, but that seems uncommon. Then the recruiter will outline the interview process, e.g. when you'll hear back and what the next round will look like.
As I understand, the recruiter typically provides your answers to the hiring manager, who decides which candidates advance.
As I understand, the recruiter typically provides your answers to the hiring manager, who decides which candidates advance.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:31 pmThey're not much like law firm screeners, IMO. The recruiter isn't an attorney and doesn't know much about legal issues. He or she generally will ask a few basic questions to make sure you meet the requirements in the job description ("tell me about your experience drafting commercial contracts..."), as well as some questions about your work experience. You'll probably get the standard questions too like why do you want to work here. Once I got a few behavioral questions, but that seems uncommon. Then the recruiter will outline the interview process, e.g. when you'll hear back and what the next round will look like.
As I understand, the recruiter typically provides your answers to the hiring manager, who decides which candidates advance.
Do you know if there’s any meaningful filtering of candidates for the recruiter interview? I’m the anon who responded about having had one of these recently and am curious if it means I’ve passed some kind of initial threshold at least. I have very little experience (which the position didn’t explicitly require, since I’d be working under the GC) and I’m worried the recruiter just didn’t pay attention to that so I’ll immediately get dinged at the next stage.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
Yes, you've cleared some initial threshold. Most in-house positions get hundreds of applicants, and only a few applicants will even get a screener. I have no idea what percent of applicants don't advance past the screener, but FWIW, I'm not a strong interviewer and I've never failed to advance. I think they're largely just trying to make sure you are who you say you are so they don't waste the attorneys' time.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:39 pmDo you know if there’s any meaningful filtering of candidates for the recruiter interview? I’m the anon who responded about having had one of these recently and am curious if it means I’ve passed some kind of initial threshold at least. I have very little experience (which the position didn’t explicitly require, since I’d be working under the GC) and I’m worried the recruiter just didn’t pay attention to that so I’ll immediately get dinged at the next stage.
- Elston Gunn
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
It doesn’t always happen, but especially if they know comp is far below what you’re currently making at the firm, it’s in everyone’s best interests to make that clear before you go too far into the interview process.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:55 pmOP here. Interesting that recruiters divulge expected comp info. Thanks.Elston Gunn wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:40 amIt depends on the company, but yes it’s usually similar to a law firm screener. Though it tends to be a little more rigid than a law firm screener, since the recruiter likely doesn’t actually have much familiarity with the job and therefore is going to stick more tightly to their planned questions.
Sometimes though it’s like 25% screener and 75% the recruiter preparing you for the interview process and volunteering the information that it might be kind of awkward to ask the actual lawyers (eg, expected comp package). But yeah I would prepare for it like it’s a screener.
Also, +1 to the post above about you having cleared some initial threshold. Sometimes it’s just a decision made by the recruiter on their own though. One time i had a screener with a recruiter who talked as if it were a given I’d have the full interview process, only to tell me the following week that she loved me but the lawyers wanted someone with more experience. (I was below the experience minimum on the job posting but had applied anyway.) So I wouldn’t take it too hard if you don’t advance, though you have a good chance to.
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Re: In-house recruiter phone call, what to expect?
OP here. Thanks, so it sounds like (for the most part) the goal with the recruiter is to make sure you come off as a normal person that can hold a conversation, etc.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:12 pmYes, you've cleared some initial threshold. Most in-house positions get hundreds of applicants, and only a few applicants will even get a screener. I have no idea what percent of applicants don't advance past the screener, but FWIW, I'm not a strong interviewer and I've never failed to advance. I think they're largely just trying to make sure you are who you say you are so they don't waste the attorneys' time.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:39 pmDo you know if there’s any meaningful filtering of candidates for the recruiter interview? I’m the anon who responded about having had one of these recently and am curious if it means I’ve passed some kind of initial threshold at least. I have very little experience (which the position didn’t explicitly require, since I’d be working under the GC) and I’m worried the recruiter just didn’t pay attention to that so I’ll immediately get dinged at the next stage.
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