“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”
– Voltaire
I know, many of you think a job interview is where you are the interviewee and the company is the interviewer.
But that’s not completely true…
Of course, the company is still the biggest player in the interview. They invite you and they want to find out whether you’re the employee they’re looking for, and they will decide to hire you or not. However, nowadays it is not only about how well you fit the company, but also how well the company fits you!
If you’re not going to be a good fit for the role, then you might not want to take the job even if it’s offered to you. The thought of taking a job and starting to earn a big paycheck might be tempting, but it won’t be worth it if you quit in six months and are back where you started.
This blog will give you a few ideas of questions you can ask to show you’re interested in the company and ensure you know what you’re getting into.
If you think even for a second that it’s not important to ask questions in an interview then you’re dead wrong. It’s one of the most important parts of the interview and might be the deciding factor for whether or not you’ll get the job.
Just asking questions isn’t enough, though. You need to ask the right questions.
Before we get to those, you should first know what types of questions not to ask.
These few questions will show the interviewer that you are uninterested, lazy, or only care about money:
- How much vacation time will I get?
- How much does the job pay?
- What time do I have to start?
- How can I get a raise?
Of course you’ll want to know the answer to these questions, but those are only things you should worry about if you’ve got a job offer. Then you can negotiate from there.
So, make sure you have at least four to five good questions prepared before the start of your interview. Here are a few topics you might want to ask questions about…
The position.
- How does the average work week look like for this position?
- Can you give me an example of a project I would be working on?
If the role did not get completely clear during the rest of the interview already then asking questions about the position shows your high level of interest in your future tasks and duties.
The Company
- What is the company culture like? Do you eat lunch together?
- Are there after-work activities?
The interviewer will appreciate your interest in the company culture because that means you’re open to it and want to be a part of it.
Growth Opportunities
- Could I take up career training for this position in the long run?
- Is there mentorship involved for this position?
Asking for training opportunities shows your willingness to learn and your ambitions. Asking for career mentorship from a manager or executive shows you are interested in growth.
Goals
- What do you think a successful employee will accomplish in this position?
- What are the most important objectives for this position in the first few months?
Knowing the objectives will help you make sure you’re on the right track. You also already get an idea if the expectations are reasonable.
Then the last question you always should ask is “what is the next step in the application process?”
It shows the employer you’re already looking ahead plus it outlines whether there are more interviews and what the timeline is like for hiring. Asking such a question is a positive way to finish the interview.
Good luck during your next interview!