Five Questions to Ask in an Interview That Tells a Lot About the Company
You’ve heard this a million times: “Remember, you interview them as often as they interview you. Ask your (good) questions to see if you really want to work there. “
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
But do you digest it – and do it – every time you meet with a hiring manager? Otherwise, you are missing out on an important opportunity to dig into the heart of the matter and really get a feel for what is happening at your potential next employer. You are also missing out on an opportunity to fully demonstrate your willingness, confidence, and complete lack of despair (which is always an attractive trait for hiring managers).
So what great questions can you ask during your next interview? Here are five great questions that may not be fully answered, in all honesty, but they will most likely provide you with reliable and useful information about your next potential boss, team, and organization.
1. Is this a vacancy or a new position (and if this is a vacancy, then what’s the matter)?
A few months ago, I worked with a client who was a finalist for the VP of Sales and Marketing for a profitable, reputable company. He believed that he was very close to getting an offer. And then he learned that in three years the company had three more executives in the same position. For example, they wanted to hire their fourth VP of Sales and Marketing since 2013.
This was a daunting task for my client. He was so excited about the opportunity and flattered to have participated in the interview process for so long. But the opening of the revolving door of leadership stopped him. It should be so. This turnover is a sure sign that something is going up, probably starting at the top of the organization.
This client did not ask in the early stages of the interview why the vacancy was open. But he had to do it. This is a perfectly fair question, and even if there is no detailed answer to it, you can almost always tell from the interviewer’s “tortuosity factor” whether there is something in the story or not.
By the way, he got an offer. And in the end he refused. Today he leads the sales force for a small firm with great, responsive and responsive leaders. And the turnover of the organization? It’s almost gone.
2. What is the turnover rate in the team (or in this organization)?
By the way, about the turnover. It will be fair if you ask about it. Asking this confidently and without blame will also demonstrate that you are the one who makes decisions strategically and carefully. And any good employer will respect that in you.
If, when you ask, you find that turnover is inconvenient or unusually high, you should ask (again, so that the interviewer doesn’t feel you are attacking), “What are you attributing this number to? ”And“ Does the organization have any plans or strategies to help mitigate this? ”
High employee turnover, even in industries where there is usually a decent churn, can indicate management problems, an overworked work environment, lack of employee recognition, shitty promotions, or all of the above.
3. Do team members usually go to lunch or eat at their table?
This is not a weird question, and you can ask it as if you are trying to figure out how friendly and connected your team is (or not), or how relaxed the environment is (or not). T). But assuming the interviewer provides his answer ahead of time, what else you might be able to find out is: Are these people really overworked to the point that they cannot cope without working at lunchtime? (And does your future manager expect you to follow suit?)
Teams that never take breaks tend to be tired and unhappy. Look for this, especially if you are not the type of person who likes to be chained to the table for several hours in a row every day.
4. How is the company doing (financially)?
Oh, if I had a dollar for every client I worked with who suddenly lost his job (sometimes very soon after accepting an offer) as a result of falling profits, the loss of a large client, or sudden bankruptcy – this new mercenary had no idea before than getting on board.
Guys, it’s perfectly okay (and important) to ask you to look into the books as you go through your interview, even if the company is privately owned (or family owned). In fact, it is especially important to ask if the company’s financial information is available through a Google search.
The last thing you want is to unwittingly become the “employer of the Mother of God”, whose presence is the last decisive attempt to get out of a dangerous situation. Of course, you may decide that this is a challenge (and a risk) worth taking. Or maybe not.
Regardless, it is very important to feel the financial health of the company before you dive into it.
5. Do you have any doubts about my qualifications after this conversation?
This is such a scary question for most people because they fear the answer might be yes. But this is an important question to ask because if there is any doubt on the part of the interviewer, you have almost no better chance of clarifying or allaying his concerns than while you are still sitting in the interview.
If you’re afraid to ask this question, think about this: If something about you makes the interviewer ponder and you don’t ask, he or she will make hiring decisions based on the problem. Thus, you can almost always gain much more than you lose if you ask.
As you progress on your job search or career change path, you must constantly remind yourself to be in charge. Drive the boat. Keep the direction. Conduct an interview. Nobody cares more about your finding a new job (or a great organization) than you.
Manage your career. Ask interview questions to ask. Be the best advocate for yourself. And then enjoy the booty when you take this great new job.
5 Questions to Ask in an Interview That Tells a Lot About the Company | Muse