It’s up to you to ask good questions during an interview. The hallmark of successful candidates is always their ability to ask open-ended questions that lead to more understanding and information regarding the employer’s expectations.
Most job candidates know the value in preparing for an interview and know that it is a process everyone goes through in order to land a job offer. Yet the one aspect of interviewing that candidates often miss is when it’s their turn to ask the employer questions.
The questions you ask can have more influence than you may realize when hiring managers are in the midst of making final decisions. Your questions reveal numerous things about you, such as your attitude, sincerity and genuine interest in the well-being of the company.
Candidates often make the mistake of using their “questions” about their concerns rather than build rapport to further a working relationship. A job candidate once described their surprise when the interviewer quickly wrapped up their meeting with a last minute question, “What questions to you have about the position”?
She had a list of questions prepared but felt rushed in asking them because it was obvious the interviewer had another meeting and needed to close. In her case, she listened to her instincts and left with more concerns instead of enthusiasm to move forward.
Making good career decisions ultimately starts with you, and during an interview the questions that are asked as well as those answered send perceptions. For the job candidate, she left with a perception that her questions were not as important as the employer’s, sending a cue that the employer was interested in just filling the position rather than taking the time to care.
When it’s your turn to ask questions during the interview don’t take it lightly, rather use it as a way to determine if this is the company you want to work for as well.
The questions a job candidate asks often give the interviewer a glimpse of the type of employee he or she might be, and just as the candidate who left with a bad taste of being rushed, the same holds true when you ask questions without concern for the employer.
The questions that most candidates often dwell on are the compensation and benefit aspects. Even if it is OK by the employer to bring up salary questions it’s not in your best interest. Asking about compensation and benefits immediately sends a perception to the interviewer that you are more self-serving than interested in how to help the employer succeed.
These types of questions while important will send the interviewer a message that you are a desperate job candidate in need. If you have any ounce of negotiation power, asking those questions at the wrong time can take your power away.
Instead of asking questions that are focused on your needs, consider questions that will generate more attention and help strengthen your candidacy. We all know that when you are perceived to be the chosen candidate you have more leverage to negotiate your compensation and other issues that are important to you.
Here are some examples of questions to ask that show you are interested in the employer’s growth and care about their needs:
• Tell me more about your short-term / long-term goals for this department?
• How would you describe the company’s culture, values or philosophies with customer service?
• How long has this position be open?
• What would make someone excel in this position?
• What are some of your most challenging problems?
• What types of industry trends are influencing change in the company?
• What are some of the company’s strengths that will affect the future growth?
Asking good questions helps employers see you as someone that could help them solve their problems and are enthusiastic about working with them.
What are some of your favorite questions to ask during an interview? What type of question influenced your interviewer?
