Some interviews may feel more like interrogations. Actually, they should not. Close your eyes and think of a tennis match where the ball is hitting back and forward. An interview should be like a casual game of tennis, where questions are lobbed back and forth. They ask a question, you respond. Then you ask a question, and they respond. The key is to ask the right kind of questions. The type of questions you chose to ask your interviewer should stem from what you need to know in order to evaluate the position and your future employer. This means the questions you choose to prioritise should be well thought out. Here are some questions to get you in the right frame of mind:
1. What do the day-to-day responsibilities of the role look like?
Because how you spend your day is how you spend your life. Success and happiness in a job boil down to the contentment of every day.
2. What characteristics do you look for in employees in order to represent your company values?
Dig deep to get more information on the company culture. You will get insight into what is most important to the company, and what it values in the individuals who work there.
3. What is your favorite part about working at the company?
It is important to get a sense of your interviewer’s opinions on working at the company. If enthusiasm flows easily, that is a good sign. If it doesn’t, that is worth noting too.
4. What does success look like in this position and how do you measure it?
It is crucial to have a good understanding of how the company measures success. What are the key performance indicators for the role and how often are they measured?
5. Are there opportunities for personal and professional development?
By asking this question, you’re looking to key into whether there are opportunities for growth and whether the company has a Learning & Development program.
6. Who will I be working most closely with?
This question will help you get a better sense of the dynamics in the organisation and, more importantly, in your day-to-day life at the office. Write down names and ask for titles, so you will be able to do some (online) research after the interview.
7. What do you see as the most challenging aspect of this job or working in this industry?
Knowing the good is just as important as knowing the not-so-good. You also want to understand the scale of the challenges you will be dealing with, right?
8. Is there anything about my background or resume that makes you question whether I am a good fit for this role?
This question displays you’re highly invested in the job and committed to understanding your prospects as a candidate. Plus it will also allow you an opportunity to respond to any potential concerns.
