Why Is Asking Smart Questions In An Interview Important
Asking smart questions in an interview is important for the following reasons:
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Gives you the chance to learn more. By asking thoughtful questions, you can learn more about the company and position you are applying for. This information can help you determine whether you’re going to accept a possible job offer.
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Shows that you are listening. Smart questions are about topics the interviewer has yet to cover. By inquiring about the information you couldn’t have found on your own, you are showing an employer that you have done your research.
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Indicates that you’re interested in the role. Asking questions shows the employer that you are eager to learn more about their role. Having this enthusiasm can help you make a good impression.
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How Has This Position Changed Over Time
Inquiring about the history of the job and the way it has changed will give you insight into what you can expect from the position. If youre interviewing for a position left vacant by someones departure, ask why that person left the position. If they were promoted, it could show that the company will give you chances to grow in your career.
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Questions To Ask Hr Before An Interview
Job seekers spend a lot of time preparing for job interviews, especially when it comes to asking questions to the HR manager. And they should. The interview is the best chance to prove you are the right person for the job.
But, before the company interviews you, you should take some time to interview the company. Asking questions before the job interview is a great way for you to prepare for your big moment. The more information you have will give you an extra boost of confidence before and during the interview.
What Are You Passionate About
What They Want to Know: What’s most important to you? What do you love doing? The answers to this question don’t have to be all about work. The company is looking to determine if you’re a well-rounded person, and what you enjoy doing outside of work can give them insight into the type of employee you’d be if you were hired.
I am passionate about folk music, and love to attend festivals during the summer. I also play fiddle with a local band on the weekends.
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Tips For Answering Interview Questions
During your interview, the hiring manager will ask questions that help determine how successful you will be in the position.
A good way to be prepared to answer work-at-home interview questions effectively is to review the job description and make a list of the sought-after skills and experiences.
Match that to a list of your skills and experiences, and think of specific examples you can give of instances when those attributes were successful for you on the job.
In addition to making a match between yourself and the job, be prepared to discuss why you want to work remotely and how you are equipped to do so. The interviewer will want to know about your workspace, computer, internet connection, familiarity with communications software and apps, and other technology you may need to know to do the job.
Check the companys website, social media sites, and any news articles where they are mentioned, to familiarize yourself with the company’s products, services, and general information. If you have any contacts who are familiar with the company, ask them for information they think might pertain to your interview.
E Interview Questions For Managers
If youre hiring team leaders, you want to make sure they can answer well to the above types of interview questions. But, hiring for each managerial position will entail an additional set of questions specifically to judge the candidates management skills . Depending on the seniority of the managers role, there are different interview questions to ask managers:
- Whats your approach to delegating work to employees? How do you ensure that tasks are completed?
- How would you describe your management style?
- Tell me about a time you had to deal with a team member who constantly opposed your ideas. How did you handle it?
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What Does This Team’s Role Hierarchy Look Like How Does This Position Fit Into It
This is another big-picture question that HR should be equipped and eager to answer for you. You might not want to bluntly ask “who would I report to?” It can show resistance or insecurity before you ever set foot in the role. But, it’s still something you might want to know.
Phrasing your question the way it’s phrased above is a professional gesture that can reveal who your boss would be and indicate to the company that you’re mature enough to put your role in context of your department .
Where Will It Be
When its an in-office interview, the scheduler will likely ask you if you know where the office is and provide you with details about parking. But with so many companies switching to remote work and interviewing online, theres a good chance that youll be meeting virtually. Take this time to ask about the tools that youll need to familiarize yourself with, and details about whether these will be video interviews, audio-only, etc.
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What Are The Next Steps In The Interview Process
This is not only a question you can ask to show youre interested in where the hiring process is going to go next, its also a great way for you to get some reassurance. Nobody likes waiting to hear back from a company and getting nothingat least this way youre prepped for how the process will continue and what to expectand when.
Interviews Aren’t Just About Giving The Right Answersthey’re About Asking The Right Questions
Ask insightful, thorough questions to your potential employer.
The landscape for job seekers today can be difficult. In other words, if you want a job today, the hard work starts when you prepare for the interview. That means not just nailing the interview questions you are asked, but actually knowing which questions to ask in an interview so that you leave a strong impression on hiring managers. After all, youre reviewing them as much as theyre reviewing you. The right questions to ask during an interview are the ones that will not only elicit important information, but will also reflect positively on you as a candidate.
Heres the thing: Rattling off a list of haphazard queries wont get you much attention. You need to come up with good questions to ask in an interview, ones that make the people in the room sit up and take notice. Your questions must demonstrate that you did your homework on the job itself, have a set of values that are shared with the company, and understand where the industry is headed. Bonus: These questions could also help you avoid a bad boss before it’s too late.
Your goal is to make a statement in the form of a question. The statement is designed to:
- Highlight your qualifications.
- Understand the employers challenges.
- Make yourself accountable.
- Advance your candidacy.
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General Effectiveness And Workplace Interaction
9. How would your co-workers at your current job describe your interaction with them and your general effectiveness in your work performance? How would your co-workers describe you?
What you want to know:You want to understand how the candidate thinks that their co-workers view their interactions. You also want to assess how co-workers like working with the candidate. These questions give you an idea about the candidate’s assessment of their effectiveness in their current job and in relationships with co-workers. Past practice can predict future results.
My co-workers in the past appreciated that I am a team player and a person of integrity. I believe that they’d tell you that they respect me and the contributions I made. I made efforts to share the glory when the team was successful and I never threw anyone under the bus. They’d also say that I was reliable and accountable.
10. How would your current boss describe your work and contribution?
What you want to know: You want to understand how the candidate perceives the support and opinion of their current employer. This question tells you about the candidate’s interaction with their current boss. It also informs you about how well they accept criticism and feedback. If the interaction with the applicant’s current employer is positive and uplifting, this can shape the job applicant’s expectations of their new work environment.
12. How do you go about continuing to develop your professional skills and knowledge?
Interview Questions About The Job Position:
- What prompted you to hire for this job role?
- How long has the position been open?
- What was the individual like who previously held this position?
- Are you looking to hire someone with the skills and experiences to do the job out of the gate, or are you open to hiring and training the right candidate for this position?
- How are goals and objectives set for this job role?
- If hired, what would be the top three priorities you’d like me to focus on in the coming year?
- What traits does the perfect candidate for this job position possess?
- What can you tell me about the position that isn’t listed in the job post?
- What do you believe is the main reason someone could fail in this position?
- I’ve worked with larger corporations in the past . That being the case, do you think I’ll be successful with an organization such as yours?
- What is the work schedule like? Is it flexible, set-in-stone, or are there options?
- Do you have any reservations about my qualifications?
- What is a typical day, week, or month like for someone within this position?
- What is the toughest time of the month or year for someone in this position?
- How can I grow in this job role?
- In an ideal world, what’s the anticipated start date for this position?
- What’s the timeline for making a decision on this job position? When would be a good time for me to follow-up with you?
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How Did You Hear About This Position
Although at first glance this might seem like a straightforward question, you should grab any opportunity you can to show your interest in the company.
Even if you havent been continuously refreshing the companys website for job listings, make it seem like you have . Show excitement and curiosity.
If someone inside the company told you about the position or recommended that you apply, definitely make sure to mention that.
Youll have a much better chance at getting hired if someone credible can vouch for your skills.
So, mention his/her name and his/her position inside the company and give their reasoning for inviting or recommending you to apply for the position. Tell the hiring managers what excites you about the job opportunity or what exactly caught your eye.
Possible answers for “How did you hear about this position?”:
- Sample answer 1:
Ive known about for a long time – Im a big fan of your products. I even own one of your latest phone models!
I love the companys passion for creating super intuitive, beautiful hardware, and I would love to be a part of it.
So, when I saw your job ad at , even though I wasnt actively looking for a job at the time, I couldnt help but apply!
- Sample answer 2:
I heard from Jim Doe, my old colleague and college friend, that was looking for a new sales director. He encouraged me to apply, saying that my experience managing a sales team at would be helpful for .
Prepare To Answer Interview Questions
When you are invited for a phone interview, it’s important to take the time to review the typical phone interview questions you’ll be asked and to prepare answers. It’s also key for you to have a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
There will always come a point in the interview where the interviewer invites your questionsand candidates who have no questions run the risk of looking like they arent as interested in the position as their competitors might be.
The questions you ask in an interview are as important as the questions you answer. Asking informed questions not only demonstrates your enthusiasm for the job, but also allows you to decide if the position is, in fact, worth the time, energy, and resources it would take to continue further with the application process.
Job searches take an enormous amount of work, and it isnt worth continuing the process if your phone interview reveals that the company culture or job responsibilities would not be a good fit for your talents and personality.
If you have taken the time to thoroughly research the employer before submitting your job application, you can also design questions about their organization that demonstrate that youve done your homework in learning as much as you can about them. This demonstrates a personal initiative that will help to set you apart from other candidates.
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What Should I Expect To Wear On My First Day
Dress code can be a touchy subject in interviews — you don’t want to reveal that you have deal-breakers so early into a hiring process. But, it is an important aspect of the job for many professionals. Sometimes business wear just isn’t your thing, but you still want to maximize your chances at getting a job offer.
If you want to get an idea of the company’s dress code without suggesting it’s a big deal to you, simply ask HR what you’re expected to wear on your first day. It’s a harmless question that gives you the information you need at the same time.
Prepare For The Interview
Be ready with a list of questions to ask the interviewers. You’ll also want to be ready to answer some of the common questions asked during second interviews.
When you get the call or email to schedule your second interview, inquire about who will be interviewing you. Then look up interviewers on LinkedIn or the company website: knowing a bit about their backgrounds can help you brainstorm specific questions to ask them.
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Phone Interview Questions To Ask The Interviewer
Many employers conduct job interviews via the phone. Plan on preparing for a phone interview just as you would for an in-person interview by brushing up on your interview skills, reviewing the questions youll likely be asked, and preparing a list of your own questions to ask the interviewer.
Typically, after you have submitted a mailed or online application for a job, you may receive an email from the employer asking that you schedule a time with them for an initial phone interview.
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Now Consider These Factors To Help You Evaluate Candidates:
Now that you have a complete overview of the best interview questions to ask, theres one last thing to do: be prepared to answer common questions from candidates. Theyre interviewing you too, after all. That way, candidates can also get useful insight on whether your company is a good fit for their skillset and motivations and hopefully, youll get to convince the best among them to join your team. Happy interviewing!
How To Structure Your Interviews
Structured interviews are effective methods of predicting job performance. Their three main characteristics are:
- You ask all candidates the same questions.
- You ask questions in the same order.
- You evaluate answers based on standardized rating scales.
The first two characteristics are easy, yet critical for success. If you ask different questions of each candidate, its impossible to objectively compare their answers. This will result in you trying to make a hiring decision on your gut feeling which potentially leads to harmful biases and discrimination.
So, when you decide which interview questions to ask, spend some time putting them in order. To do this, use the format of an interview scorecard its possible your applicant tracking system has a function to help you build scorecards and share them with your team.
The third characteristic of a structured interview the rating scales is immensely helpful in ensuring youll hire objectively. You create a scale and then you evaluate candidates answers with that scale. To do this right, define what exactly each item on the scale means.
Alternatively, you could use a simpler scale, such as Yes, No and Definitely
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