Do you walk into an interview ready to answer the tough questions…but are you also ready to ASK the tough questions? Most of us prepare long and hard in order to do well enough to answer interview questions, impress the hiring manager, and get the job offer. But have you considered what to ask when you’re given that opportunity to ask questions?
But I’m not talking about basic questions like these: “How many weeks of vacation do I get every year?” “What kind of insurance do you provide?” “How often do you give wage increases?” “Will I be required to work overtime?”
Prepare for the interview as though your career depends on it, and ask your interviewer some intelligent questions. Your ability to do this, and prove your expertise, can potentially land you the gig.
I’ve taken the time to summarize a list of five questions (from this great article) you should ask in an interview. Solid, smart, and thought-provoking questions that will prove you’re engaged and interested – exactly what a prospective employer wants in a potential candidate.
Now, let’s take a look at the top five questions to ask your interviewer.
1. How do you define success for this job?
If you’d like to set yourself up for success in any situation, then you need to know what success looks like. For instance, if your kids don’t know when their curfew is then they will likely be late every time. You’re unhappy because they’re late and they’re unhappy because they’re in trouble. They don’t know what the expectation is, so failure is inevitable.
And that’s how you succeed on the job. You know what the expectations are and strive to meet that standard, even if it is out of reach. So take the time to ask what they see as success for the position. They’ll be more than thrilled to tell you, and if you get the position, you’ll know exactly where to begin.
2. Ask something specific about the organization.
If you’ve ever walked into an interview without doing your research, then you may have walked out kicking yourself. When you don’t take the time to research the company, it tells them you’re either lazy or you really didn’t want the job in the first place.
So make sure you take the time to ask about their latest acquisition and how they see that fitting into the long-term strategy of the company. Or you can ask why they haven’t expanded overseas when everything points to success in Europe. They’ll be impressed that you’ve taken interest in the company and that goes a long way in their selection process.
3. Can I have a quick tour?
If you’ve done well in the interview, then this might not be as crazy as it sounds. It never hurts to ask, and all the better if they agree. It will give you the opportunity to see firsthand what your office could possibly look like and actually meet some of the people with whom you may be working. You can also demonstrate your interpersonal skills.
4. What is your favorite part about working here?
This is a great question because it can tell you a lot about the culture of the company. Most people, when they answer this question, are not going to be thinking about money. They’re going to mention the little things that make a big difference in their lives. And they likely won’t be talking about benefits, either.
For instance, work-life balance is something most people would consider important to them. What if you were able to work from home on occasion? The company may have a policy that alleviates the issue with employees calling in sick and instead gives them the option to work remotely, when necessary. Now that’s what I call flexibility and understanding—and it says a lot about how the company feels about its employees.
5. Do you see any reason I might not be a good fit for this position?
Asking this question not only gives you a chance to seek improvement and possibly be ready for the next application and interview (if you don’t get this one), but it also says you acknowledge the fact that you have things you can improve upon. The attitude in which you respond to their answer can go a long way. It may just be the deciding factor in getting the offer or at least a return trip for a second interview.
Remember, don’t just focus on answering their questions with confidence. Have a plan to turn the tables and ask your interviewer questions with that same confidence—and expect great results.
If you have more questions about interviewing techniques and career advice as well as resume services, please visit CareerPro Global (CPG) today and speak with a career advisor to get you moving in the right direction. CPG has been a leader in career services for nearly three decades and stands ready to assist with your career objectives.
For additional insight into these recommended questions to ask your interviewer, check out the original article right here.