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Asking questions in the interview
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In my last article, I presented a number of questions that you as an interview candidate could expect to be asked, and I provided guidance as to how you should respond. But as we have discussed before, an interview is not a one-way street. The word in Latin actually means "to get to know each other." You need to show interest in the job, and the best way to do that is to ask questions and demonstrate knowledge about the company you are seeking to work for. Here is a list of questions that I recommend you consider asking during the interview:
What will my duties and responsibilities be?
This question should be asked if it has not been clearly defined in the process leading up to the interview. Many jobs have generic descriptions, so learning how you will participate in the team is very important in your decision to take the position.
What is your management style?
It is imperative that you know how your manager leads. If you don't like a micro-manager, why would you want to work for one? If you thrive in an environment that lets you solve problems, then you want a manager whose style supports this.
Is this a new or replacement position?
If the position is a replacement, then you want to know why the previous person left it. This could be a warning sign. If the position is new, that is indicative of growth within the company, or at least the department interviewing you.
What would be a typical day’s assignments?
It is a good idea to understand what a typical day is like. If you bore easily, a job that has routine activity may not be suitable for you. Likewise, if you don't handle high pressure, you don't want to work in a situation that will place a lot of stressful demands on you.
What qualities are you looking for in the person you hire?
This question gives you more insight into what they are looking for in the right candidate. Once you understand what they are looking for, you can better determine if you are a good fit for it. Then you can ensure that your answers to other questions and your follow-up letter after the interview demonstrate how you are the right person for the job.
How long have you been here? What do you enjoy about it?
It is good to show interest in the job as well as the people you will be working with. This question is a great way to connect with the interviewer and to show you are interested in what they feel and think.
Remember that the interview serves two purposes. Not only does the interviewer need to decide about hiring you, you need to decide if the position is one you want to pursue further. You have the freedom not to pursue a position you are not comfortable with just as the interviewer may decide you are not the best candidate to fill the position.
In my next article, we will close our discussion on the interview process by discussing questions not to ask as well as those not to answer, and how to follow up after the interview.
For more info:
Preparing answers for common interview questions
