Proper Interview Questions To Ask

What Do You Know About This Company/organization

A quick search in the About page of the company/organization you are applying for should be enough, right? Well, yes and no.

Think of this as an open-ended question. Theres no real wrong answer here, other than:

I dont know anything about this organization. In fact, how did I end up here? Can you guys call me a cab real quick?

However, the more you actually know about the company, the better your chances of getting hired.

Imagine 2 equally competent candidates:

Which one would you pick? Exactly, the second one!

So, with this job interview question, you want to convince the recruiter that youre the candidate #2.

Now, how do you do that? Well, a rule of thumb here is to do some Googling before the interview and learn the following about the company:

• What does their product or service do?
• What impact does the product / service have?
• Whats the company culture like?
• What are the latest news about the company? How are they performing?
• …And pretty much whatever other type of info you can dig up.

• Sample Answer 1:

I hadnt heard about you until recently, actually. I found out about through your job ad on RandomJobBoard.

After doing some brief research on you guys, I ended up falling in love with your software and your mission.

Good Interview Questions For Employers

Consider these 16 sample interview questions to ask in an interview to get to know your employer better. You may not be able to ask all of these questions during your interview, but you can pick a few that are relevant to the discussion and use them as starting points to learn more about a companys culture.

Read More: Interview Question: Do You Have Any Questions?

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years

There are three big reasons interviewers ask where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

So, pick a work-related goal of where youd like to be five years from now, and make sure its slightly challenging or ambitious-sounding.

You dont want to say, I see myself in the same position five years from now.

And make sure to share a goal that is related to the type of job youre interviewing for. You want to sound like the experience youll gain in this job fits your long-term goals.

Otherwise, theyre going to be scared to hire you. Why would they offer you the job if it doesnt fit the goals you described to them? Youd be unsatisfied, bored, and would probably quit within the first year. No company wants this.

• Show youve thought about this topic and question
• Sound ambitious and motivated
• Be realistic. Dont say you want to be CEO in five years if youre entry-level
• Make sure your answer is related to this job. They wont hire you for a job that has nothing to do with your 5-year goal

Dont:

• Be sarcastic or give a joke answer like, I plan on having your job
• Say youre not sure, or say youd be happy staying in the same role for five years

Example interview answer:

They may also ask, What are your career goals so prepare to answer that, too. You can read career goal examples here.

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What Is Your Greatest Weakness

When they ask, whats your greatest weakness? you want to name a real weakness.

I recommend picking something skill-based, not personality-based.

You never want to say you struggle to work with others, or youre bad at resolving disagreements, or taking direction from a manager, etc. Those things will get you rejected in the interview.

So pick a specific skill, but pick something that wont severely impact your ability to do this job.

For example, if the job involves data entry with Excel spreadsheets all day, you do not want to say Excel is your weakness. Or that you struggle to pay attention to details.

Finally, end your answer by explaining what youre doing to overcome or improve your weakness.

Take a look at the dos and donts and the interview answer example below to get a sense of what the best answers will sound like.

• Name a real weakness
• Pick something skill-based, not personality-based. For example, say, Im not particularly strong in Microsoft Excel rather than, My weakness is working on a team and following directions.
• Mention what youve done to overcome this weakness and improve recently

Dont:

• Dont give a fake weakness like, I work too hard
• Dont try to be funny with an answer like, Kryptonite. Hiring managers have heard it over and over
• Dont tell them you have no weaknesses
• Dont name a personality-based weakness
• Dont name a weakness that will severely impact your ability to succeed in their job

Example interview answer:

Questions To Ask In An Interview

So, do you have any questions youd like to ask me?

Weve all been there. Just when the interview is wrapping up and youre starting to feel like you can relax, the interviewer asks if there are any questions youd like to ask about the prospective role. This question often catches people off guard, however, its important that you prepare for it just as much as the rest of the interview.

This is a good chance to demonstrate that you are invested in the company and care about how its values align with your own.

So what should you be asking? Read on as we bring you 10 good questions to ask at the end of an interview

Also Check: How To Interview For Amazon

What To Ask To Employer During Interview

Good questions you should ask a company throughout an interview?. What questions would you ask your interviewer when likely to a job interview?

I believe the significance of the issue about previous knowledge about individuals the function you are trying to get cannot be understated. Since that line appears a little convoluted, allow me to throw an individual anecdote in internet marketing. My current employer appeared very keen about asking me basically might be promptly every single day, and work from job. These were set on ensuring Id really maintain, every single day, and not simply choose not to appear. The funny factor, is this fact questions emerged in awkward ways, over and over, throughout the initial interview. It had not been until I began probing a little which i uncovered the entire story the prior designer would be a freelancer that chose not to appear quite frequently, didnt have his work made by the deadline after which, out of the blue, disappeared inside a puff of smoke. My point here, is the fact that initially, it appeared as if these were an especially rectal bunch Since I am working here, they are quite lenient, and incredibly easy to utilize. It had been just their bad knowledge about an earlier person who built them into ask specific questions.

Ask Questions To Show Interest And Learn About The Organization

Keep in mind that an interview is a two-way street. Not only is the employer assessing you, you are also deciding whether you would want to work for the organization. Welcome the interviewers invitation to ask questions as an opportunity to show your interest and find out information that will help you make a good decision.

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How Do You Deliver Negative Feedback

If you would be working with the person interviewing you, this is another tough question that can give you some insight into how the team works.

It pushes the hiring manager to think about how they would handle an uneasy situation, while at the same time highlighting your self-awareness.

How It Helps You

Everything gives and receives feedback differently. Does this person tailor their feedback approach depending on whom they’re giving it to? Do they make feedback a two-way street?

Their feedback style especially when it comes to negative feedback will help you understand how well you would be able to work with them.

Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job

There are many acceptable reasons for leaving a job. Prepare a thoughtful answer that will give your interviewer confidence that youre being deliberate about this job change. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your current or previous role, focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position. Consider the following when crafting your response:

1. Focus on your skills:”Ive been refining my project management skills with volunteer opportunities and side projects with other teams, and I received my PMP last quarter…”

2. Keep it positive:”…Im looking for an opportunity where I can put those abilities to work for a mission Im passionate about…

3. Relate it back to the job:…I was also excited to read in the job description that this role will require regular presentations to key stakeholdersone of my key motivators is the ability to connect with colleagues and communicate my teams work, so this is an especially exciting part of this opportunity…

4. Provide a recap:…Ultimately, Ive learned a lot in my current role, but Im looking for the next step where I can continue to grow and use the skills Ive honed to contribute to a company I love, and this opportunity seems to be the perfect fit.

Read more: Interview Question: Why Are You Looking for a Job?

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What Did You Like Most About Your Last Position

Knowing what you enjoyed about your last position can offer employers insight to your motivations, personality and whether you will enjoy the position available. To answer this question, focus on positives, speak to work rather than people, explain how it prepared you for this new position and reasons why moving to this role is the right choice.

Example answer:It was a great entry-level position at a start-up agency. Not only was I learning more about marketing, but management was also very transparent, teaching us a great deal about owning a business. It was a very collaborative atmosphere, and the team and I worked together on almost every project. Everyone’s weak point was countered by another’s strong point. I learned more working there than I ever did in college, and I’m excited to apply these skills to a new position.

Read more: Interview Question: “What Did You Like Most About Your Job?”

Can You Tell Me About A Time When You Had A Disagreement With A Boss Or Colleague And How You Handled The Situation

This is one of the best questions to ask an interviewee because youll get a sense of their conflict resolution abilities. What tone does the person use when talking about the other people involved? Were they able to handle the situation described appropriately? Did they find common ground? Emotional intelligence is keenly needed in almost every job.

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Why Did You Apply For This Position

When they ask why did you apply for this position? pick something specific that interested you. If you say you love their products, tell them why. Thats the key to giving a convincing answer to this job interview question.

Stay away from sounding like youre desperate, or that you want just any job. Yes, if you were laid off its okay to say that, but then re-focus the conversation on exactly what youre looking for in the next opportunity and why you feel their company might have it.

You need to sound like you want the RIGHT job and that youre being picky. Employers wont hire you if you dont demonstrate that you want to work for them in particular.

So its best to appear picky and selective in your job search. That means being clear about what you want in your next role.

Also, the best answers will stay away from negatives and complaints. Dont bad-mouth your current company or boss. Focus on the positives of the job youre applying for now.

• Make them feel like youre interested in them for a specific reason
• Show youve done your research and understand what the job involves
• Phrase everything as a positive. Dont badmouth your current situation, just talk about what you hope to gain by coming to work for them .

Dont:

Example answer 1:

Example answer 2:

Questions To Ask The Interviewer About Current Events

This section allows you to demonstrate youre on top of whats going on and have done your research.

• How are recent political decisions impacting the company?
• How is regulation impacting your business?
• What are the biggest political, economic, social, or technological forces impacting the company?
• How has the recent New York Times article on your company impacted business?

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What Are Your Salary Expectations

While you should never mention salary unless asked or prompted, it’s important to understand the value of someone with your skills. Be flexible – indicate that you are willing to negotiate for the right opportunity and confirm that you value the position strongly.

All too often, problems arise from pricing yourself out of the position or stating a figure less than the company is willing to pay. If a guideline salary has been provided with the job description, you could mention this and say it’s around the amount you’re looking for.

What Is One Of Your Favorite Memories Of Working Here

Your interviewer’s response can tell you a lot about the company culture. If they are eager to share multiple memories, this can indicate that you may have a good time working here. It also shows that employee morale is high, especially if you are on a panel interview and everyone has something fun to share.

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Good Questions To Ask During An Interview

There are different types of good questions to ask during your interview that may help you learn more about the organization or build your relationship with the interviewer. For example, you may ask questions about the specific role to determine if you have the experience required or if it’s something you would enjoy. You may ask questions about company culture to gauge how well you would fit within the organization. Asking questions about your interviewer’s interests and experience may help you make a better impression.

Here are some examples of good interview questions to ask:

What Do You Like About Working For This Company

Gaining an insight into someone that is already part of the company will help you to find out more about whether the cultural fit is what you are looking for as the interviewer is likely to step out of a corporate role. Showing an interest in what the interviewer thinks of the working demonstrates that you are considering aspects of the role beyond the job description.

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Smart Questions To Ask About The Team

The people you work with day in and day out can really make or break your work life. Ask some questions to uncover whether its the right team for you.

• Can you tell me about the team Ill be working with?
• Who will I work with most closely?
• Who will I report to directly?
• Can you tell me about my direct reports?
• What are the teams biggest strengths and challenges?
• Do you expect to hire more people in this department in the next six months?
• Which other departments work most closely with this one and how?

Question #: What Is The Performance Review Process Like And How Do You Measure Performance

Each company has a performance review process where youre rated against a specific set of objective standards or behavioral norms. During your interview, it is important to ask your interviewer how the company measures its employees success throughout the year. This includes the frequency of such reviews and the specific things they entail. The standard youre expected to meet may be completely different than an employee on another team.

Many organizations structure employee reviews to take place every six months. They also typically include an annual review where they discuss overarching performance and decide whether an employee has met the requirements for a bonus and/or which categories of performance the employee needs to improve upon.

It can also be beneficial to ask about how the company handles employee reviews and structures its one-on-ones. One-on-ones with team leaders and possibly monthly one-on-ones with a department manager tend to occur between formal review periods. These meetings are often informal and discuss day-to-day performance and project/task completion.

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Ask Specific Questions Related To The Role

While this article will cover some general strategic interview questions you can ask your candidates, dont be afraid to throw in some more specific questions that will help you determine whether or not they will be suitable for the position they are interviewing for.

For example, if you need someone with really great people skills because they are interviewing for a high-level HR position, then you may want to ask questions that are geared towards assessing their communication, how they work with others, conflict resolution, and so on.