Interview questions can be daunting and uncomfortable for some, but, hey, when a hiring manager is trying to narrow down hundreds or even thousands of candidates for a certain position, it’s what is necessary to see who can handle the pressure and answer in the best way. However, just because a jobseeker is the one in the hot seat who is under the pressure to get a job, doesn’t mean that he/she should be the only one answering interview questions. That’s right, it’s important to put some heat on the employer, too!
It should go without saying that, part of a jobseeker’s interview preparation, should be writing down interview questions that they genuinely want answered. Sure, certain things like benefits and culture come up, but everyone asks those, and you’re not just anyone, you’re the someone who wants this company to hire you! That’s why you’ve got to separate yourself with interview questions that will impress — but also so you can make a decision about whether or not you, potentially, want to even work there in the first place.
Lucky for you, we’ve got some job interview questions for the next time you find yourself face-to-face with a hiring manager. With new grads emerging into the job marketplace and others always looking for the next best thing, here are nine interview questions worth asking to stand out from the rest of the pack of candidates.
9. “What Is It About This Role That’s Better Than My Current One?”
This may be aimed more for a jobseeker who was poached on Linkedin for a job and isn’t unemployed and on the job hunt, but, still, it’s an important interview question to have stashed away to ask. Regardless of your current working situation, here’s why this question needs to be asked: you wouldn’t buy the first car you see without comparing its price with another dealership, right? Similar to buying a new car, job seeking shouldn’t be about gut decisions or desperation. Instead, it should make you ponder if leaving your current role for this specific opportunity makes most sense, taking into factors such as work environment, salary, work-life balance, overall happiness and career advancement.
8. “Where Have Successful Employees In This Role Advanced To?”
Whether a person is still with the company and received a promotion, or left for greener pasture elsewhere, it’s totally OK to ask where your peer ended up following their time in the position you currently want. Asking this will help gain an understanding of responsibilities and, potentially, offer insight on how the company views the role when it comes to career growth.
7. “What’s Your Favorite Part About Working Here?”
Listen very closely to the hiring manager’s answer to this interview question, because, if he/she says something like casual Friday’s or the lounge to hangout in during the week, you may find yourself unhappy sooner rather than later. Company culture isn’t about ping pong tables and cold brew on tap; but, instead, is about collaboration and understanding that your coworkers respect your opinion no matter what your job title is.
6. “How Would My Boss Manage Me?”
Believe it or not, all bosses are not created equal. We know, shocking, right? That said, when putting together interview questions, it’s critical to try and get a straight answer about how a new boss might manage you. Some people are more hands off, some love to dictate, others can delegate and, some, unfortunately, just aren’t supportive or good people to others. If you get a sense of how your boss will handle you day-to-day, it can help make your decision about taking a role much easier.
5. “What’s The Process For Feedback In This Role?”
Look, you’re not perfect, and nor is your boss, so feedback — both good and bad — will come if you take this role. When asking this interview question, the objective should be to figure out how feedback about your work will be presented to you, as well as how you can approach your boss to give him/her feedback. Like all relationships, communication is key, as it’s meant to build trust and honesty. Work is no different, so knowing the process about how to give and receive feedback should be known before accepting a job.
4. One Question You Just Need To Ask
We know, this is sort of a cop out since it’s not an actual example of an interview questions, but you know yourself better than anyone else, so don’t be afraid to ask the one thing that might be causing you doubt. Much like a first date, when interviewing, you get one opportunity at a first impression. And, as we’ve pointed out throughout this article, that goes for the company as well. Therefore, if you’re held up about something, or are giddy about another thing that might be unclear, don’t hesitate to ask the hiring manger so not to confuse anything before making a decision to accept the role.
3. “Is The Company Healthy?”
No, we’re not referring to physical health, but the overall state of the company. For example, let’s just say, a company is hiring people left and right. On the surface, that might mean that the business is growing and the outlook for the year is great. However, it may mean turnover is high due to poor leadership or rumblings of potential downsizing, causing employees to leave. You don’t want to accept a job only to get let go in a few months, right?
2. “What Are Some Challenges You Foresee With This Role?”
Challenges and mistakes happen every single day, so it’s natural to concern yourself with what might present itself when considering a new role. When developing some interview questions, don’t be timid about asking about those challenges, at it shows that you’re being realistic about expectations. Hey, everyone is polite in a job interview, but, when the work starts and the honeymoon period is gone, that’s when challenges arise — and it’s good to start thinking about how you might deal with them.
1. “How Is Success Defined For This Position?”
That’s right, when it comes to job interview questions, this one, right here, is just about as close to the holy grail as a jobseeker can get. Well, at least that’s according to a 2016 article from Business Insider, which asked Katharine S. Brooks, a career expert and the executive director of Vanderbilt University’s Center for Student Professional Development, who said this about why the question is so important.
“This question gives you ‘insider information’ about the position and the interviewer’s perspective on the organization. This is the type of information you can’t find easily on the internet.”
So, whether you’re compiling a list of interview questions for your next job, or are on the verge of accepting an offer, these are the ones which can make the difference between a yes and no — from both you and the hiring manager.
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