Get All Access for $5/mo

Here's the No. 1 Job Interview Question Every Applicant Should Be Asking in This Economy, According to a Recruiting Expert The answer can determine how much job security you'll have.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

SDI Productions | Getty Images

If you're on the hunt for a job, you might be wondering how safe your potential position will be if our "rolling recession" hits your industry next.

Fortunately, asking strategic questions during the interview process can give you the answer, and one specific query is particularly illuminating, CEO of IT staffing firm Insight Global Bert Bean told CNBC.

Related: Best Job Search Engines for Recent College Graduates

Be sure to ask your interviewer this: "How close is this role going to be to the core functions of what the company does, and would I be working on projects that are mission critical or closer to revenue?"

Ideally, the answer will reveal what the company's current priorities are — and how well your potential role fits into that picture.

Many companies use job functions to determine who gets laid off. Co-founder of JobSage and former attorney Kelli Mason told Dice that companies want to prioritize revenue and profitability during difficult times — which means that "nice-to-have" positions are cut or outsourced to keep "need-to-have" roles.

"That's why we're seeing so many recruiters get laid off at tech companies for example, because those jobs are not seen as mission critical to keep the business afloat," Bean explained to CNBC.

Related: ZipRecruiter vs. LinkedIn: Which Is the Better Job Search Site?

Bean also suggests noting how the hiring manager treats you during the application process — slow responses and other signs of apathy can be a red flag.

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Franchise 500 Annual Ranking

50 Franchise CMOs Who Are Changing the Game

Get to know the industry's most influential marketing power players.

Thought Leaders

6 Tips From a Clean Beauty Entrepreneur

Sarah Biggers went from a newbie in the natural beauty space to a pro in just a few years. Here are six things she wishes she'd known at the beginning.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.