The Best Questions to Ask in Each Interview Round
While this is true, you can never be completely sure how well you will adjust to working with a new boss , company, or team until you actually start working, but asking probing and strategic questions during your interview is one of the easiest ways. to gather useful information about potential opportunities.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
I mean, who wants to jump over all these hoops only to realize in a month that your boss is an absolute micromanagement , your colleagues are traitors , and the working hours are closer to 60 than 40. Yes, and no one works from home , never.
To come up with questions to ask during the interview time, especially those that help you learn more about what is really working for the company (and make you look smart), – it is difficult, but necessary. You don’t want to imply that all you care about is perks or that your number one priority is flexibility, so there is a bit of science to know what to ask and when to ask.
Given that the average interview process is three to four rounds and can now take several weeks, you have plenty of time to ask about job responsibilities, company culture, and team dynamics. Here are some ideas for each step.
Questions for the first round
The questions you ask at the beginning should help you gain an understanding of the culture of the company as well as clarify the specifics of the actual job you are applying for (read: questions that cannot be answered by reading the job description).
“How does the role I play contribute to the overall success of the organization?”
Answering this question will allow you to learn more about the scope and impact of the role. You will also be able to gauge how much the company values finding the right candidate.
“What was your main reason for choosing to work here?”
The answer to this should allow you to get to know your interviewer better by learning what his core values are. It can also provide additional insight into the benefits of working for a company that you may have missed.
“Do you have questions or concerns about my qualifications?”
This shows that you are not afraid to ask difficult questions, and allows you to solve any problems sooner rather than later in the process, when you will no longer have the opportunity to fix them.
Questions for the second round
Now that you’ve made an impression on your first group of interviewers and made it to the second round, the questions you ask at this stage should help you understand how your career will be built and the general expectations of your future boss.
“How involved are employees in defining their responsibilities and goals?”
This is an opportunity to find out how much you control your working day and the overall trajectory of your career.
“What are the next projects you would like me to work on in the first 30, 60 and 90 days?”
It will give you an idea of what types of tasks your new manager will want you to work on when you first start working. The key here is to keep digging until you have your first set of expectations for the role.
“How does management measure employee growth and success?”
Answering this question will help you understand how your work will be measured and what you need to focus on to be successful.
Questions for the final rounds
Once you’ve gone through the second round, the hiring manager should have no qualms about whether you have the skills and qualifications required for the position. The questions you will be asked at this stage tend to bias towards those that assess your general cultural suitability – which means that what you ask them at this stage must also change.
“What can you tell me about the team I will be working with?”
You will be spending most of your time with your new colleagues , so it is wise to get an idea of the dynamics of the team to gauge how easily you can adapt to the new environment.
“What opportunities do team members have to work together on projects and assignments?”
This is another dynamic team question, and answering it will give you some idea of whether the team is collaborative and team-oriented or not.
“What type of staff is good here?”
This answer gives you an opportunity to assess whether your work style, personality, and skill set will fit well in a new work environment.
While you’ve probably heard this many times before, it’s worth repeating: interviewing is a two-way street. Not only is it an opportunity for the company you are interviewing to see if you fit easily into their world, but it is also an opportunity to confirm if the organization, department, and position in itself is the right next step for you and your career.
It is important that you use this time as a chance to learn as much as possible about the intricacies of the role – especially those aspects that are most important to your own fulfillment – in order to make an informed decision that will best interest you and your career.