Every tech recruiter will ask you three critical questions, regardless of whether you're pursuing software engineering, product management, or data science roles. These aren't random—they directly tie to how recruiters measure their success in the tech industry.
Master these responses and you'll immediately stand out from other tech candidates.
Engagement Message
Based on how tech recruiters measure their own success, what do you think the three most common questions they ask candidates are?
The Big Three are: salary expectations, timeline availability, and why you're looking. Each question serves a specific purpose in their evaluation process for tech roles.
Remember: tech recruiters need fast placements and successful hires in a competitive market. These questions help them predict both.
Engagement Message
Which of these three questions do you find most challenging to answer in tech interviews?
Let's start with salary expectations. Most tech candidates either undervalue themselves or give a range that's too wide. Here's the strategy: research the tech market rate and give a focused range.
Say: "Based on my research, similar tech roles typically pay $X to $Y. I'm comfortable in that range."
Engagement Message
Why do you think giving a researched range sounds better than saying "I'm flexible"?
Timeline questions reveal your urgency level. Too eager suggests desperation; too slow suggests you're not serious or might withdraw from the tech hiring process.
The sweet spot: "I'm actively interviewing and could start in two weeks if it's the right fit."
Engagement Message
How does this timeline answer address the recruiter's time-to-hire metric?
The motivation question—"Why are you looking?"—is really asking about flight risk. From earlier, remember they're evaluating if you'll stay long-term in the fast-paced tech environment.
