Have Questions Ready To Ask During An Interview
Asking questions is a great way to dig into the company culture and the specific day-to-day responsibilities of the job so that, should you be hired, your first week or so in the position won’t be accompanied by any major surprises.
Asking questions can also give you the opportunity to further highlight some of your qualities, skills, and experience, and show the employer why you’re a terrific match for the job.
Melissa Ling / The Balance
Get Ready To Get Hired
Looking for a new job can be stressful, but being prepared can lower that stress level and give you some sense of control. By making sure your résumé is of high quality, preparing to answer questions and make a good impression ahead of time, ensuring youve earned a certification to increase your credibility and skill level, youre taking positive steps toward success. Knowing which questions to ask after an interview can help too. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but you need to make a lasting impression too.
Great Interview Questions To Ask A Hiring Manager
Add these questions to your interview checklist.
Whether you’re looking for your first job or are a seasoned professional, a positive impression during the interview is key to getting an offer.
When you ask a hiring manager insightful and good questions during a job interview, it’s a great way for you to demonstrate your professionalism, thoughtfulness, and commitment. Unfortunately, many candidates trail off when it comes to questions to ask a hiring manager or interviewer.
In my experience, that blunder is due to either lack of preparation, or the stress of the interview. How do you set yourself up for success during the hiring process? Keep in mind that the best interview questions are ones that emerge naturally from the conversation. You may find it helpful to jot down notes that can prompt questions to ask in an interview. Brainstorming beforehand and coming in with a few prepared questions can be effective, as well.
I want you to end the interview in a powerful and impactful way. Asking questions should be a two way street. Here are some sample questions to inspire your own brainstorming session.
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Turning Down The Position
Just because the job offer is there, it doesnt mean you have to take it. Nows the time to think about whats important to you from an employer and whether this business lives up to your expectations.
Things to consider:
Is the salary as expected?
Youll know a little about what a fair salary looks like in your line of work from your job search. Still, before you commit to the new role, do a bit of extra research to make sure this is a fair wage. It’s important to feel valued because this will ultimately help or hinder your happiness and motivation at work.
Are there benefits?
Most workplaces offer employees benefits and incentives. This could be birthdays off, staff days out, health benefits or cycle-to-work schemes. Dont be afraid to ask your potential employer what they have to offer. Remember, an attractive benefits package can sometimes be better than a higher salary.
How will your career develop here?
Once youve acquired the skills for your new role, will there be room to grow? Ask the employer whether there is opportunity to rise through the ranks. Even better, ask them what your career path might look like with this particular company. If theres little potential for growth, you may have itchy feet within the first year.
Good Questions To Ask After The Interview
Present yourself as a self-motivated candidate that wants to contribute as much as possible to the company by asking questions like:
“Does the company support ongoing learning and training for employees to stay current in their positions?”
“What type of employees are most successful at this company?”
“Which employee do you think best represents the company culture and why?”
“How does the company measure success on the job?”
“What sort of opportunities are there for advancement within the company?”
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Using Subjective Or Arbitrary Criteria
Rather than “screening out” candidates based on an initial gut feeling or on unpredictive criteria such as GPA, the address on a resume, or the sound of a name, the interviewer should make sure that the evaluation process is as structured, job-specific and objective as possible. This will give them the chance to hire great people they might not have even considered otherwise, said Michael Burtov, founder and CEO of GeoOrbital.
Know The Hiring Process
To manage your own expectations, its important to understand the company’s hiring process. This will give you an idea of when you’re likely to hear back so you know how long to wait after the interview for a job offer or rejection. The process differs from business to business, so be sure to ask during your interview. If the recruiter is taking a two-week holiday the following day, its better to know theyll be out of office than to be left wondering why they havent been in touch.
One of our top tips for how to leave a job interview is to ask for the contact details of the people you spoke to. This way, you can send an interview follow-up note, and you also have a contact if you dont hear back. Asking for a business card is an easy and professional way to do this.
To sum up, before you leave the interview room, politely ask:
- The anticipated start date
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What Are The Performance Expectations For This Position Will That Expectation Change The Longer I Am Doing The Job
This is a two part questionbut knowledge is power and the more you have, the better off you are! You want to make sure you and your employer establish early on what they expect from you performance wise and not just for the immediate future. If this is a job you plan on sticking with for a period of time, make sure early on that you know what they want you to do and if that will change over time.
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.
Also Check: How To Discuss Salary In An Interview
Excellent Questions To Ask At The End Of Your Interview
Its important to remember that every interview is a two-way street.
You should be assessing the employer just as much as theyre assessing you because you both need to walk away convinced that the job would be a great fit.
So when the tables are turned and the interviewer asks, Do you have any questions for me? take advantage of this opportunity. Its the best way to determine if youd be happy working for this employer and whether your goals are aligned with theirs.
The very process of asking questions completely changes the dynamic of the interview and the hiring managers perception of you, says Teri Hockett, chief executive of Whats For Work? a career site for women. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to discover details that you might not have otherwise unveiled.
Amy Hoover, president of TalentZoo, says theres another reason you should always prepare questions. Its expected and if you dont ask at least two questions, you will appear disinterested, or worse, less intelligent and engaged than a prospective employer would like. You should have at least four questions prepared, though, in case your original two are answered through the course of the interview.
But, Hoover says, dont just ask questions for the sake of it. To actually benefit from them, youll need to think carefully about what you want to ask.
Luckily, there are plenty of smart ones to pick from.
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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Great Questions To Ask In An Interview
You probably already know that an interview isnt just a chance for the hiring manager to grill you with interview questionsits your opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit for you.
Which means: Its important to go in with some questions to ask of your own. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team?
To get you thinking, weve put together a list of key questions to ask in an interview. We definitely dont suggest asking all of them rapid-firesome of this stuff will certainly be covered during the course of your discussion, and you can weave in other questions as you go.
But when the inevitable, So, do you have any questions for us? part of the interview comes? Use this list to make sure youve covered all your bases.
What Is The Best Thing To Say At The End Of An Interview
Finish with a polite conclusion I am grateful for interviewing with you today. You have given me a clear overview of the position. I think my experience and accomplishments can provide value to the organization. Is there anything else you need to confirm if I am the right candidate for this position?
Recommended Reading: How To Write A Thank You Note For An Interview
Company Questions To Ask The Interviewer
- What do you like best about working at the company?
- Are there any challenges to working at this company you think I should know about?
- Can you please describe the company culture in more detail?
- What is the dynamic like between the companys board of directorsStaggered BoardA staggered board of directors, also known as a classified board, refers to a board that consists of different classes of directors. In a staggered board of, shareholders, executives, and employees?
- Can you please share some information about the companys financial position and performance
- What type of people typically succeed at this company?
Essential Questions To Ask Your Interviewer
So, youve given thoughtful, well-considered answers to your interviewers questions well done. Thats the hard part complete but the interview isnt over yet. As things start to wind up and youre asked if you have any questions, dont say no! This is your time to shine. Asking the right kinds of questions in an interview not only shows that youre genuinely interested in the role, its also a great opportunity for you to get a sense of what it might be like working in it.
Dont try to simply wing it by asking the first question that pops into your mind. Prepare for this part of the interview as you would for the other questions t. That means not asking for information about something that is mentioned on the companys website, such as when it was established. That will show you havent done your homework.
We asked Catalina Consultants Senior HR Consultant Stephanie Moffitt about the best questions shes been asked in interviews and why.
Heres what she had to say.
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Interviews Can Be Nerve
- Some of the most common mistakes job candidates make are not following up, following up too much and arriving late to the interview.
- Hiring managers mess up by not remaining objective, allowing social media to influence their decisions or talking too much.
- If you do mess up, the best thing you can do is acknowledge it quickly and rectify your mistake.
The interview is the toughest part of the job application process it can be nerve-wracking and intense, and it’s often difficult to prepare for. Mistakes are easy to make when you’re nervous, and the unfortunate truth is that sometimes one mistake is enough to take you out of the running.
It’s not just job candidates under pressure, either. Interviewers are just as prone to making pressure-induced mistakes.
Business News Daily spoke to hiring experts to learn the most common mistakes job candidates and interviewers make during the interviewing process, as well as how you can recover if you do slip up.
Is There Anything I Have Said That Makes You Doubt I Would Be A Great Fit For This Position
Asking this question at the end of an interview can feel terrifying. After all, you are asking whether there is any reason why the hiring manager wouldn’t want to extend you an offer. However, if you have the courage to ask this, you stand to gain a better sense of the next steps in the hiring process and an opportunity to address any reservations that the hiring manager might have about your candidacy while you still have his or her attention.
Having considered some of the questions that can put you in the best light and close the interview on a high note, here is a short list of questions that you should never ask in an interview.
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Questions To See If This Is The Right Job For You
Once you know the players in the interview, ask the questions that will help you understand more about the job and whether or not it is a job you would like.
Regardless of who you are asking these questions, the answers to these questions will enable you to focus your answers to best position yourself as the cure for their pain:
- What is a typical in this job?
- What would be my priorites for the first month? First quarter? First year?
- What is the toughest time of for a person in the job? Why?
- How long did the last employee stay in this job? What are they doing now?
- What is the top priority for someone in this job?
- What is the biggest challenge for someone doing this job?
- What is the key to success in this job? Why?
- What are the most important skills of the person who does this job?
- What is the key thing someone does to be successful in this job?
- How is success in this job measured by you? By the organization?
- What is the biggest challenge someone in this job faces on a daily basis?
- If anyone has failed at this job, why did they fail? What mistakes did they make?
- What do you expect the person in this job to accomplish in the first 30, 60, or 90 days?
The answers to these questions will increase your understanding of their problems and whether or not you want to work there.
Writing An Interview Follow
Sending a follow-up email after an interview is a quick and easy way to thank the employer. Your name will appear promptly in their inbox, rather than waiting on a notepad at reception. Plus, it allows you to put your thoughts together succinctly and gives you a chance to edit before you hit the send button!
First and foremost your thank you email should thank the interviewer for taking the time to see you. Secondly, it should reiterate your interest in the role. Keep it short and to the point remember, your interviewer has their own job to get on with, and you want them to read every word.
Things to remember for your email interview follow-up:
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Within 24 hours of the interview is good practice.
- Show personality.
- Remind them of your strengths.
- Include any information youve promised, e.g. a personal website.
Read Also: Should I Email After An Interview
Best Questions To Ask An Interviewer
Hooray! Youve been called in to a job interview. This means that youve done an excellent job at creating your tailored resume so kudos on that. Your work isnt over though. Now you need to prepare for your interview and that includes coming up with some intelligent questions to ask your interviewer.
You see, an interview is a two way street. Its not only about them finding out if youre a perfect fit for the company. Its also about you finding out if theyre the perfect fit for you. They expect you to ask them questions. If you end up just sitting there without anything to add to the conversation you can be sure theyll find someone else. Because theyll think youre not interested. Lets not let that happen to you!
You should prepare at least two questions to ask your interviewer at the end of your job interview. These questions need to show your interest in the company and your drive to excel in the position. Choose wisely and make sure you have a couple backup questions in place in case your preferred questions get answered during the interview.
Are you ready? Here are the best questions you can ask an interviewer after the job interview.
