Ask These Questions at Your Next Interview
An interview is a two-way street. As the interviewer takes a microscope with him for you and your skills, you analyze whether the company is really right for you . Interview questions help you understand the culture of the company and are the key to a successful interview. Job search site Circular Board reports that 47% of employers say they will turn down candidates if they don’t know about the company. Interview questions indicate that you’ve done your research and want to know more. But what you ask also matters – the level of questions you ask can put you ahead of the competition.
Ask specific questions about the job
Career Matching Website Chegg encourages interviewees to conduct research and strategically approach the questions they ask, advising “[not] to ask questions that anyone can answer with a quick glance at the company’s website.” General questions can have a detrimental effect on interviews, demonstrating what could be construed as a lack of effort. Instead, ask about the specifics of the position. “What will the average workday for this position look like?” is a question that lets the interviewer know that you are interested in the details of the job and gives you a clearer idea of what the job entails.
Lisa Kirkpatrick , director of the Career Management Center at Kellogg School of Management, told CNBC that interviewees should ask specifically about their first 90 days of employment. Kirkpatrick advises asking, “What are the biggest challenges I will face in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?” If you ask a question about the objectives and criteria for success, you will get a clear idea of the company’s expectations, as well as demonstrate your ambition. It also helps you understand if the job is really right for you because of these responsibilities and expectations.
Ask about company culture
In recent years, the culture of appeal has highlighted the problem of toxic work environments and demanded responsibility for the actions of employees and the company. And while this movement has led to a rise in anti-racist initiatives and company actions aimed at diversity and inclusion, this does not mean that the company you use lives and breathes them. Don’t be afraid to ask about your potential employer’s actions in this regard. I once interviewed a company whose attitudes towards black women were questioned. I respectfully asked how the situation was resolved and what systems were put in place to ensure greater fairness among their employees. My question was greeted with appreciation and the interviewer talked about the changes they made, adding insight into their personal experiences in the new direction of the company. Questions like these are critical to your own understanding of how the company respects its employees and how they promote their efforts to ensure diversity and inclusion.
The corporate culture also extends to infrastructure changes due to the pandemic. Many companies have been forced to completely change the way they work , moving from personal work to completely remote structure or a combination of both. Ask how the company dealt with obstacles during the pandemic and how employees (including the interviewer) were affected . You will feel the ability of the company to take care of its employees and the flexibility of management. It also gives the interviewer the opportunity to be introspective and outspoken with a hopeful future colleague.
Ask about your chances
Before ending the interview, ask about your skills: what does the interviewer think you can do for the company? This can be an awkward question to ask, as you are essentially asking about your own job chances. Kirkpatrick suggests taking the initiative in your approach by asking, “Is there anything in my past that makes you hesitant to move me forward in the interview process?” She explains, “Hiring managers love it when candidates ask this question because it demonstrates a sense of self-awareness.” This kind of question allows you to acknowledge your weaknesses and express your opinion on how you continue to hone your skills.
If the direct approach doesn’t work for you, the career coaching website Muse offers an alternative :
“Answer this question more favorably by saying,“ Is there any other experience or personality trait that I would benefit from discussing? “”
It’s important to be confident and remember that you interview the company as often as they interview you.