Mirror, Mirror On The Pew, What Questions Should I Ask In An Interview?
If you’ve ever had an interview before, you’ve been asked this popular question: “Do you have any questions for me?” How you respond will determine whether you end the interview on a positive note or a not-so-positive note.
You always want to ask questions in an interview. Even if you came with a small list and all of them were answered throughout the interview. You never want to say, “No, I think you answered them all for me.”
No, they didn’t. 🙂 There are hundreds of questions that you could ask a potential employer. They didn’t answer all of them for you.
Asking questions shows you’re interested. It shows you care enough to want to know what you would potentially be signing up for, if you end up going to work for that company.
Here are a few of my favorite interview questions (feel free to print this list out and bring it with you to the interview).
Interview Questions
- Why is this position available?
- What’s the biggest change your group has gone through in the last year?
- What new skills can I hope to learn here?
- What would a typical day be like for someone in this position?
- What are your expectations for this role for the first 30 days, 6 months, and year?
- What is the company culture like?
- Could you tell me about the team I would be working with?
- How are employees recognized?
- Who is your ideal candidate?
- What can you tell me about my predecessor?
- If I get the job, what will be my first major project or goal?
- If I were to start tomorrow what would be the top priority on my to-do list?
- What’s the biggest problem facing your company, and how could I help?
- Can you tell me about the company’s plans for growth?
- What do you like about working here?
- Is there anything I can do to improve my application?
- Tell me a story about something that’s happened in your organization that probably wouldn’t happen at another company?
- What would you say are the top two personality traits someone needs to do this job well?
- What improvements or changes do you hope the new candidate will bring to this position?
- If you were to select me as the person you want to fill this position and six months from now you were doing a review of my performance, what would make it a home run?
- What can you tell me about the person to whom I would report?
- What keeps you up at night?
- How did you get your start?
- How will the work I’ll be doing contribute to the organization’s mission?
- There are pros and cons to every job. What do you like the best about your job and what one thing would you like to see improved or enhanced?
- How does your company foster camaraderie?
- Are flexibility and balance encouraged?
- Can you give me some examples of how your company is innovative?
- What does management do to create a diverse and inclusive workforce?
- How did your company address the COVID-19 outbreak with its employees, customers, and vendors?
End with these two questions:
- Is there anything you’d like me to clarify regarding my skills and experience?
- What are the next steps?
I look at interview questions like pieces of a puzzle. The more you ask, the clearer of a picture you will see of the company. So ask away! (side note – I asked about 30-40 questions before I accepted my offer to come work for JX Enterprises.)
If you are looking for new career opportunities, check out our current open positions and apply today!
