Faced with one pointed question
after the next regarding your career, a job interview can quickly take on the
feel of an interrogation.
But
employers aren't the only ones who get to poke and pry during the sit-down. At
some point, job candidates can make inquiries that flesh out everything from
expectations to why their prospective boss enjoys working for the company. By
asking thought-provoking questions, you can not only collect valuable
information but also distinguish yourself from the pack.
Here
are some questions you can ask and tips for interpreting the responses from
your interviewer.
1. How
has this position evolved since it was created?
Getting
a brief history on the role should clear up whether the position has expanded
over the years or has been a dead end for employees.
Interpreting
the response: If the
interviewer says the position has expanded beyond its original scope (and is
continuing to do so), that signifies an opportunity for growth within the
company. If the position has stayed static for years, don't expect to blossom
there.
2. What have past employees
done to succeed in this position?
Knowing
how the organization measures achievements will help you understand what the
expectations will be and whether you have the skill set to meet them. But don't
undermine your past accomplishments just because your route to success doesn't
match up with the one embraced by the company. "You also don't want to be
too narrowly defined by what other people have done. Because you're a different
person, you may approach things a little differently,"
Interpreting
the response: You may
hear a description that highlights the positive and negative attributes of your
predecessor. That could be a good indicator of the company's culture.
"Typically, what one person has done to be successful is what the
organization tends to do to be successful,"
3. What
have you enjoyed most about working here?
Your
prospective boss can relay what he or she values most and what led to his or
her personal success with the organization. You can internally ruminate about
whether you share the same values and can envision yourself working there.
Interpreting
the response: Your
interviewer may commend the company for everything from benefits to year-end
bonuses. On the other hand, "if they're struggling to come up with
something positive about why they like working there, chances are good that
you're not going to be able to come up with anything positive after having
worked there either,"
4. What is the top priority for
the person in this position over the next three months?
This
question is helpful so you know what to focus on if you do get the position.
Without a clear expectation, you won't know what to accomplish or how to make
the right impression during your first days on the job.
Interpreting
the response: You may
be told that you need to complete 15 tasks rather than two or three. "If
these are all big initiatives that they want you to handle, probably not that
doable,"
5. What are the qualities of
successful managers in this company?
If
you're interviewing for a managerial position, you'll want knowledge of the
skills and core competencies the company treasures in a leader, says David
Lewis, founder and president of OperationsInc, a Connecticut-based human
resources outsourcing and consulting firm. If excellent people skills and
multitasking top the list, emphasize how you've demonstrated those traits
throughout your career.
Interpreting the response: According to Lewis, you may get
a response along these lines: "The best managers in our organization are
independent thinkers, are good teachers and completely aligned with the
direction the company is going in." If he or she can't name a single star
in the managerial stable, that's problematic and speaks to an organization
short on progress and promotions, Lewis notes.
6. If
offered the position, can you give me examples of ways I would collaborate with
my manager?
As an
entry-level staffer, you may want to work with management as a means to
showcase your skills and move up. But there's a distinction between simply
taking orders and actively working with a superior who is grooming you for
something better. "[Finding] out how an organization utilizes people at
the staff level is key," Lewis says. "Is it a dictatorial environment
or a collaborative one?"
Interpreting
the response: The
employer may be short on examples or dismiss the notion of working with
management altogether. Prod further, Lewis says, and find out why that it is.
There may be a legitimate reason behind why the company doesn't promote
collaboration.
7. What
are some challenges that will face the person filling this position?
You owe
it to yourself to know what you're up against. "It just gives you a
reality check,". The drawbacks may differ depending on whether the
position is managerial or entry-level. As a manager, you may oversee a
department that runs on a shoestring budget. As a lower-level staffer, you may
work odd hours or get stuck with assignments that lack substance.
Interpreting
the response: The
interviewer may point out the least offensive parts of the job. But if he or
she denies any downside whatsoever, that should raise doubts about his or her
credibility. "Any boss that tells you there are not challenges, they're
lying. It's just that simple,".
8. Do
you have any hesitations about my qualifications?
Asking
a question like this lets the interviewer know that you're secure enough to
openly discuss your vulnerabilities. It also signals confidence and the ability
to be coached, says John Kador, author of "301 Best Questions to Ask on
Your Interview." "Coachability is a hugely attractive attribute as
far as interviewers are concerned," he explains.
Interpreting
the response: At your
urging, the interviewer may voice concerns about a lack of training in certain
areas or gaps in employment. Rather than gloss over your shortcomings, address
them and put up a respectful and reasonable defense. "You may be able to
come up with a satisfactory response, you may not," Kador says. "But
at least you have the chance."
