When interviewing with any company, it’s important to be prepared and put some thought behind the answers you provide. And yes, part of your preparation comes from reviewing your resume and cover letter, conducting research on the company and thinking of concrete examples – ones that showcase your skills – to use when answering interview questions before you even step into the interview.

However, the preparation doesn’t stop there! It’s very important that you prepare intelligent and relevant questions for three reasons:

a) To show that you’re interested and knowledgeable about the company you’re interviewing with and the position you’re applying for;

b) To get clarification on any concerns or questions you may have and on any items you may not be clear about;

c) To dig further and find out not only if the position is right for you but if the company is a fit for you and vice versa.

Depending on the company you’re interviewing with, your questions will be geared towards that specific organization and industry. It’s not a bad idea at all to write down a list of questions and bring that list with you into the interview. In fact, this will only make you more prepared and it’ll ensure that you don’t forget to ask any important questions you may have. Now…when interviewing with a recruiting agency, it’s very important you have targeted questions and well-thought out ones at that! Here’s a list of top 10 questions you should be asking any staffing agency when interviewing with them:

1. How confidential is my resume/profile? Will the agency submit my resume/profile to potential employers without consulting me first?
2. What tools does the agency use to assess the best “organizational fit” for candidates?
3. How does the organization determine the rate of pay for each specific role or assignment? Does the agency take the necessary statutory deductions?
4. Does the agency specialize in any particular field? What is their area of expertise?
5. For contract roles, what’s the reason for the contract position (i.e. maternity leave, leave of absence, etc.)?
6. What commitment does the agency expect from its clients regarding contract length? Specifically, what happens if the client wants to end the contract early?
7. What can I do to increase my chances of being successful in finding a job?
8. What do I need to do to stay forefront in your mind when there are thousands of candidates in your database?
9. What skills are most in demand right now? What skills will make me more marketable/make me a “hot” candidate? Do I need more/better education? More experience in a certain area or level of position?
10. Is the recruiter the same person as the client representative? Do I work with one individual in a company or many? Who is my point of contact? Can anyone place me or can only my main contact/representative place me?

Asking questions, especially the ones above, is a great way to dig deeper and find out whether or not a specific agency is right for you. From when you first speak to someone on the phone to stepping foot into their office to getting a job offer, you should feel comfortable with the agency and its recruiting process. If you feel uneasy at all during your experience, it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself if that agency is right for you. Whenever you do feel uneasy though, don’t be afraid to address your concerns with the agency because it’ll help you determine whether that agency is a fit for you, and it may also help the agency identify areas of improvement. So remember, be prepared and ask a lot of questions because at the end of the day you’re the one that has to be comfortable, happy and satisfied