When my dad was about two, he managed to send himself down the basement stairs in a stroller, tumbling onto his head and resulting in all kinds of crying. My grandmother "GB" frantically called my grandfather "Doc." He was flagged down off the golf course.

"Leon, Leon, our son went down the stairs in his stroller."

"Did he cry?"

"Of course he cried?"

"He'll be all right, then."

My dad's still alive and recovered quickly, but many today would question Doc's diagnostic methods...After all brain injuries can develop in the minutes and hours after a head injury.

Knowing the right questions to ask in a check up is important in both physicals and job searches: In situations, if you look only at the surface - you may miss the main problem. (Did I mention that Doc was a dermatologist?)

This month's Career Collective topic looks at the "Mid-Year" Job Search check-up. Here are three commonly asked surface questions that don't fully get at the true underlying issues.

  1. When I Google you, is there any "digital dirt" that would prevent you from getting hired?

    If the answer is no, that's great. But what's equally important today: Is it easy to see what you are great at professionally? Are your strengths and experiences that align with the job you've applied for --visible in 30 seconds?

  2. Is your resume in ship shape?

    Your gut response may be yes, resume is more than fonts, action verbs, and formatting. Does the resume speak directly to the job you've applied for? Are you customizing it so that your experience looks on target for what employers are seeking? Do the skills you are putting forward match your interests in what you want to do as you carry out the job?

  3. How many jobs have you applied for?

    There's a common assumption that your odds of getting hired go up when you apply for more jobs. But if you aren't applying for the right jobs -- and ones that you are qualified for -- you can actually decrease your chances of getting hired. After all, as in many areas of life, your chances of success can increase when you focus selectively on a few possibilities rather than a universe of opportunities.

What questions are you asking yourself in your mid-year job search? And might a second opinion be helpful to make sure you are looking beneath the surface as well?