An interview is a two-way street. It’s your best chance to show off your qualifications as you answer their questions, but it’s also a chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm, preparedness, and maturity when it’s your turn to ask the questions. And if you ask the right questions, not only will your impress your interviewer, but you’ll also make sure you don’t get stuck in a bad situation. If you prepare in advance, you can Here are the types of questions to ask your job interview.
Inquire about Your Responsibilities
Aside from just making sure you understand the role you’re applying for, demonstrate that you fully understand its challenges and responsibilities. Ask what a typical day is like. Find out what the most valuable skills are for someone to be successful in this role. Ask about the history of the position—is it a new role? If not, what did the person you’re replacing go on to do? Who would you report to and who would you work with? Is travel involved? What about the possibility of relocation? What does a typical workweek look like? Inquire about the company’s expectations for the role during the first 30 days, 60 days, and a year. Are there prospects for advancement?
Ask about the Company
You need to know about the culture of the company and make sure you’re comfortable with its goals, vision, and dynamic. What does the company value th
e most? What are the best and worst aspects of working these? How does the company define and measure success. Ask about the future of the company—where will it be in five years? If you plan to stay for a while, you want to make sure the company is thriving.
Find Out about the Challenges and Competition
Find out about the company’s plans for growth and development. What opportunities is the company focusing on? What challenges does the company face and who is its competition? How does it approach these challenges?
Get Personal
Ask the interviewer some personal questions about their history with the company. What makes you good at your job? How long is the average tenure of an employee? Then, ask some follow-up questions about the next steps in the hiring process. Ask when you can expect to hear back and when the anticipated start date is. Will you be assigned a mentor? What’s the onboarding process yet?
Ask at least two good questions. Avoid asking yes or now questions or questions that are vague and difficult to answer. Frame them so that they demonstrate that you’ve done research and that you’re taking the process seriously.
For more advice on how to best prepare for an interview so you can stand out from the competition, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh