What Types of Questions are You Asking In a Job Interview?
You walk in, exchange names and a hand shake and sit down to start the interview. The HR Rep explains the position and asks you a few pertinent questions about your experience and your interest in the position.
It’s going well, your answers are top of the line and you know it. You feel good, you look good, you are in your element. The interviewer can see it. The office is filled with some positive energy and some excitement and enthusiasm is building for both of you. More and more the feeling is the company has found their new employee.
Then the interviewer gives you your turn. “Are there any questions you have for me?” Now is your critical moment, your time to truly shine and show them your stuff and what do you say? What is your FIRST question:
“Nope. I have no questions.” Bomb!
Or “Yes, how much vacation time do I get every year?” Bomb!
Or “Now how long before I would see my first raise?” Bomb!
Shake hands and leave now! You blew it big time. The rule of thumb is to always have a question or two prepared, more if you can. The second rule of thumb is that the first questions asked are never about salary, benefits, vacation time, etc. (in other words, the things you get).
Your first questions should always be showing two things: First that you’ve taken the time to do a bit of homework on the company, and second that you have a strong interest in the position itself. Accomplish these two before you ask about anything for yourself.
A good first question may be something like: “I was recently reading in the New York Times that your company has just gone public and will begin trading on the NYSE in the near future, which I’m sure is very exciting for everyone, I’m curious if you know how that may affect your upcoming growth projections?”
To show your interest in the position, ask questions like why the position is available, or if this is a brand new position or an existing position. Ask who your supervisor would be and/or who you will be supervising and how many people there are to supervise or in the department you will work in. Ask about the type of work or assignments that are typically done in the department. Ask about the company’s philosophy if it has not already been explained. Ask about advancement in the company and any ongoing training requirements the company may have. After you have satisfied yourself and the interviewer that you are there for the position, then it is ok to ask about salary, benefits, and so on.
Just keep in mind that you and the interviewer are looking to see that this is the job for you, this is the company you would like to be a member of because you like the company and what it is doing and you believe that you can contribute to its growth and expansion. The interviewer understand that you are not going to work for free and that an important part of the process is the discussion of compensation, just do not allow it to become the main topic or the primary reason for the interview, and you will walk away with a strong potential to have that new position.
Tags: job interview