Have you ever had that panicked feeling at the end of a grueling job interview, and when, as soon as the potential employer asks, “do you have any questions for me?” you just freeze…
Having relevant questions prepared is a critical part of the job interview process. Not solely to show that you are in fact ready with some thoughtful and well-researched questions, but also because you do after all want to find out as much as you possibly can about this company that you could potentially be working for.
Rule of thumb: try to have at least 4-5 killer questions in your proverbial bag of job interview tricks. You want them to see that you care, that you are invested in getting the job, and that you do in fact want to know more about who they are and what they do as a company.
In some cases, not having questions can mean the abrupt end of what may have been an otherwise stellar interview. So don’t just wing it and don’t leave anything to chance…Here are fifteen great questions that could just help you land the job of your dreams!
1. Is there anything else you’d like to know about me, that I may not have answered?
Perhaps they didn’t get all of the info they wanted on you. Maybe they forgot to inquire about a few key points from your resume. Giving them an opportunity to take a breath, review and consequently ask away, will show great sportsmanship and interview etiquette on your part.
2. Who would I be reporting to?
Whether you’re going to be working under one or several people, this is something you definitely want to know beforehand. Depending on your own professional style and tendencies, having this information could help you to decide if the position is a good fit or not.
3. Can you give me some insight into the company’s culture?
Does the company place emphasis on their employees’ happiness? How does management tend to operate? A general question regarding the corporate culture, could ultimately help you gain insight into some of these other types of issues that could really paint a comprehensive picture of the company.
4. Who are your major competitors?
It’s all about creativity. This question shows that you’re already thinking about ways in which you can help them stay relevant. It shows that you would be an asset when it comes to enabling the company to stand apart from the crowd.
5. How do you encourage team/professional growth?
Of course you want to better yourself professionally. Asking this type of question shows the interviewer that you are in it to help the company, to improve your own skills and to hone your expertise in this particular field.
6. Do you have any concerns about my skillset or qualifications?
No one likes to appear vulnerable, and yet by asking this question you are showing that you are open to criticism and more importantly, you are willing to work on improving in accordance with the company’s perception of your abilities.
7. How do you consequently evaluate success?
The definition of successful work can be subjective; therefore, it is important to know how this company gauges what is or is not considered success. It could mean the difference between a fruitful and meaningful career or one that leaves you frustrated and disheartened.
8. What do you like about working for the company?
This type of questions does a couple of very good things:
1) it actually gives you an insider’s look into the workings of the business.
2) it helps to establish an implicit bond with your interviewer, and of course that can never hurt.
9. What would you say are some of the challenges of this position?
Of course every job is going to have its difficulties, its challenges, its hard-to-accomplish tasks. It’s good to get a sense of what these could potentially be up front. Now, that’s not to say, that the interviewer will be very forthcoming here, but it certainly can’t hurt to ask.
10. What have past employees done well in this position?
Piggy backing off of question 9, this might give you a glimpse into how the past people in this position handled such challenges and ultimately overcame them to attain the company’s definition of success.
11. What is a typical day like for the person in this position?
Again, this question is multi-faceted. It offers insight into the day-to-day of the job itself and it helps establish your enthusiasm for the position.
12. Are there any others with whom I need to or should meet?
Asking this question shows that you’re proactive, that you want to get involved in the company culture. It will also let you know if you can expect more interviews down the road.
13. How do you generally respond to inter office conflict?
With conflict management trends on the forefront of many business training programs, showing that you’re amenable to conflict resolution and that you want to be proactive as far as working out any disputes is a great interview strategy.
14. What’s your timeline for making a decision?
Now we’re getting down to the nuts and bolts. Try and close with a genuine expression of interest in the job, while also attempting to get as much information as you can regarding their hiring process in general.
15. Is there anything else I can provide you with in order to help you make your decision?
You are ready to work. You want them to hire you and as such, you will give them whatever they need. End on a positive, enthusiastic note—that’s key!
Have you asked any questions in the past that really worked? Let us know in the comments below!
