Guest Post by Amy Klimek, VP of Human Resources for ZipRecruiter
When you attend an
interview, one of the last questions the interviewer will ask you is whether
you have any questions to ask. The way you respond will tell your interviewer
whether you are actually interested in the job or not. Here are some questions
you should consider asking.
1. What is the Culture of the Company?
Ask your interviewer to describe the culture of the company you seek to work with. Ask this question so that you find out whether you fit in or not. Ask about the personal experience of the interviewer with the company. If one of the interviewers is your potential supervisor, you need to ask for some work examples that depict the culture.
2. Where is the Previous Employee?
If it’s a new position, this question is irrelevant. However, if the position has existed before, ask the interviewer where the previous employee is now. The answer you get will point out whether you stand to advance in your career (if the employee has been promoted to a better role). You also get to understand if there are some restrictions that made the worker leave that you need to know in advance.
3. What are The Strengths of the Current Team Members?
This question allows you to probe the current team dynamics of your potential colleagues. Understanding these will allow you to find how you fit in the team.
4. What is the History of This Position?
Ask the potential employer about the history of the position you are being interviewed for. Ask about the accomplishments of the previous employees who handled this position. The responses to this question will give you valuable information to the potential for growth. If previous employees worked for a short time and were given better positions, then you know that you will be in a lucrative position soon.
5. What do You Want Me to Accomplish?
Ask the interviewer what their expectations are from you in case you get the job. Be specific with the timelines, for instance asking what the expected accomplishments are after six months, 1 year, or 5 years. This question gives you a chance to understand whether you will be able to live up to expectations or not.
6. What are the Top Responsibilities?
You might think that everything has been outlined in the job advertisement, but you need to find out more information. Do not depend on the title of the job to understand your responsibility; the interviewer will give you a clearer insight into the position.
Asking gives you a better understanding of this post. It goes a long way in helping you decide whether the position is worth your time and effort. Your responsibilities should go in line with your passion.
7. What Challenges Come With the Position?
If you have ever been in a job, you know that the first 90 days are the toughest in a new job. This is because this is the time when all the challenges come up and you have to overcome them. Once you go through the first 90 days, you can get through the job successfully. Understanding the challenges makes you get prepared for them even before you start the job.
8. Does the Company Provide Training?
One of the objectives of taking up a job is to grow your career. Ask the interviewer whether there are training opportunities, and who pays for the training courses. This shows you the commitment of the company to making you better and gives you an insight about your potential for growth.
9. Describe a Typical Day or Week in this Position
When you ask this question, you show the interviewer that you are thinking well beyond the interview and you are visualizing yourself in the position even before you get the job. On your part, it shows you how your job experience will be. The interviewer might tell you what happens during holidays and if you will be required to work overtime.
10. What is Your Management Style?
Your boss has an enormous impact on the way you will perform at work and the quality that you will bring to the job. The manager might not provide all the information, but will be able to give you an insight into the various components of the management styles that is used.
Final Thoughts
You cannot ask these questions without performing research into the company. Before you go for the interview, make sure you know more about the company and prepare a list of questions that will demonstrate your knowledge of the company and your interest in it. Your questions need to be well crafted and probing enough to give you the information you seek. The questions should also communicate your desire to work for the company.
1. What is the Culture of the Company?
Ask your interviewer to describe the culture of the company you seek to work with. Ask this question so that you find out whether you fit in or not. Ask about the personal experience of the interviewer with the company. If one of the interviewers is your potential supervisor, you need to ask for some work examples that depict the culture.
2. Where is the Previous Employee?
If it’s a new position, this question is irrelevant. However, if the position has existed before, ask the interviewer where the previous employee is now. The answer you get will point out whether you stand to advance in your career (if the employee has been promoted to a better role). You also get to understand if there are some restrictions that made the worker leave that you need to know in advance.
3. What are The Strengths of the Current Team Members?
This question allows you to probe the current team dynamics of your potential colleagues. Understanding these will allow you to find how you fit in the team.
4. What is the History of This Position?
Ask the potential employer about the history of the position you are being interviewed for. Ask about the accomplishments of the previous employees who handled this position. The responses to this question will give you valuable information to the potential for growth. If previous employees worked for a short time and were given better positions, then you know that you will be in a lucrative position soon.
5. What do You Want Me to Accomplish?
Ask the interviewer what their expectations are from you in case you get the job. Be specific with the timelines, for instance asking what the expected accomplishments are after six months, 1 year, or 5 years. This question gives you a chance to understand whether you will be able to live up to expectations or not.
6. What are the Top Responsibilities?
You might think that everything has been outlined in the job advertisement, but you need to find out more information. Do not depend on the title of the job to understand your responsibility; the interviewer will give you a clearer insight into the position.
Asking gives you a better understanding of this post. It goes a long way in helping you decide whether the position is worth your time and effort. Your responsibilities should go in line with your passion.
7. What Challenges Come With the Position?
If you have ever been in a job, you know that the first 90 days are the toughest in a new job. This is because this is the time when all the challenges come up and you have to overcome them. Once you go through the first 90 days, you can get through the job successfully. Understanding the challenges makes you get prepared for them even before you start the job.
8. Does the Company Provide Training?
One of the objectives of taking up a job is to grow your career. Ask the interviewer whether there are training opportunities, and who pays for the training courses. This shows you the commitment of the company to making you better and gives you an insight about your potential for growth.
9. Describe a Typical Day or Week in this Position
When you ask this question, you show the interviewer that you are thinking well beyond the interview and you are visualizing yourself in the position even before you get the job. On your part, it shows you how your job experience will be. The interviewer might tell you what happens during holidays and if you will be required to work overtime.
10. What is Your Management Style?
Your boss has an enormous impact on the way you will perform at work and the quality that you will bring to the job. The manager might not provide all the information, but will be able to give you an insight into the various components of the management styles that is used.
Final Thoughts
You cannot ask these questions without performing research into the company. Before you go for the interview, make sure you know more about the company and prepare a list of questions that will demonstrate your knowledge of the company and your interest in it. Your questions need to be well crafted and probing enough to give you the information you seek. The questions should also communicate your desire to work for the company.
Amy Klimek is an
experienced HR recruiter and VP
of Human Resources for ZipRecruiter, a company that simplifies
the hiring process for small to medium size businesses. Prior to that Amy has
held similar roles at Rent.com, eBay and US Interactive.
For
Amy, corporate culture isn't about dogs and free lunches, it's about empowering
employees and creating an enriching environment for people to excel.
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