A job interview should be viewed as a two sided street. As a
candidate, you should be interviewing the company just as much as they are
interviewing you. I've had friends, family and colleagues all end up in the
wrong job because they didn't ask the right questions before they started. Be
the candidate posing original questions of the hiring manager instead of merely
answering all the questions you're asked. It may seem a bit intimidating, but
this out-of-the-box strategy not only benefits the candidate, who can show that
he or she has done their research and knows what they're doing. It could very
well impress a potential employer who will see initiative and promise. Avoid
surprises and check out these interview tips so you'll not only get a job
offer, you'll also know whether or not to accept.
Interview Tip #1:
Ask: Where do you see the company going in the next
one/five/ten years?
First consider: Rather than simply answering the
age-old question of where you see yourself in x amount of
time, try asking the hiring manager the same question. Where does he/she
believe the company will be years down the line? Will the firm have expanded,
in terms of capital or geography? Will it have branched out into other
industries? What about financial growth?
Interview Tip #2:
Ask: What impact would I have on the team/in the
company if hired?
First consider: Foremost, this question shows that
you are confident; you are essentially asking the hiring manager how/if he
thinks you and your skills will come into play once you land the job. The
answer to this question should also give you a more personalized response than
a general job description and help you to better gauge the ramifications of the
position.
Interview Tip #3:
Ask: What qualities does the ideal candidate for this
role possess?
First consider: Another question that could get you a
more personalized response and a better feel for the job requirements, this
inquiry shows that you are not just looking for any job, but a job where you
actually have the skills/qualities needed to perform well. You could even reply
to whatever answer you are given in an email following the interview,
mentioning which desired qualities you possess, which you are working towards
(such as mastering new software, learning a new language, etc.), and which you
are willing to improve or master.
Interview Tip #4:
Ask: How long have you been with the company? For
what reasons have you stayed?
First consider: This question might surprise your
interviewer because you are asking something that she must answer personally,
something that cannot be answered with a “we” or “the company”. The question
shows confidence, and, if answered truthfully, can give you a better idea of
how the company treats its employees, as well as the values of the company.
Interview Tip #5:
Ask: What kinds of opportunities may open up down the
road for someone who lands this type of position?
First consider: Showing initiative and motivation is
critical to a successful interview, especially if you’re just starting out.
This question would be ideal to ask if you are a candidate new to the working
world and concerned/curious about how a job could benefit you in the future,
whether at the same company or elsewhere.
Interview Tip #6:
Ask: How would performance be measured for this job?
First consider: Alternatively, What goals
would someone in this position be expected to meet? or What
checkpoints should I be expected to pass within the first 90 days or so of
employment? This can further help you determine whether the role is
really suited to you based on whether you can keep up with the demands of the
work environment.
Interview Tip #7:
Ask: Is this position a new position or a replacement
job?
First consider: If the answer to this question is
affirmative to the latter, ask why the previous employee is no longer working
the role. Knowing whether someone you are stepping in for was fired or quit,
and for what reason(s), is useful information.
Interview Tip #8:
Ask: May I speak with a member(s) of the team I will
be working on?
First consider: This question goes along with
interview tip seven. If you find yourself to be under consideration for a
replacement job, there is really no way of knowing whether you are truly
getting the facts from the person interviewing you because he/she has the
company’s best interest in mind. Potential co-workers would probably be more
likely to give you the truth about the working environment (i.e. how workers
are treated, work relationships, and reasonableness of tasks and deadlines).
Interview Tip #9:
Ask: What do you see as the biggest obstacle to
company growth?
First consider: If a hiring manager seems to have
trouble giving an answer, or responds by replying that there are no obstacles,
take it as a bad omen. No company is perfect, and you do not want to end up
working somewhere where things are not the same as the way they are portrayed.
Interview Tip #10:
Ask: What is your company’s image in the
industry?
First consider: How other brands in the industry view
a company is a major reflection on the company’s reputation. Do your research
beforehand and see if your interviewer’s answers match up with what you find.
Along with this list, remember to research the company
before going in to ask company specific questions. You can see how excited (or
not) someone is about the company and their products by asking the right
questions. You'll set yourself apart by knowing about the company as well.
