Introduction
It’s crucial to have great questions prepared when going into a job interview.
This is because the questions you ask say a lot about you as a person and can help you sell yourself as the right candidate for the job.
This article emphasizes the importance of asking good questions during a job interview. To prepare, create a list of intelligent questions that show your motivation and level of interest in the job.
The article also provides a list of 20 sure-fire questions to ask about the company, the job, career growth and performance, and the hiring process.
Preparing Questions
To ensure that you ask the right questions, it’s essential to prepare in advance. This means creating a list of intelligent questions that show your motivation and level of interest in the job.
Reason to Ask Good Questions
1. Show your skills, behavior and professional experience
During the interview, every moment counts, including the time you spend asking questions.
This is an opportunity to showcase your skills, behavior, and professional experience. It also demonstrates your overall interest in the job, which can help establish a positive rapport with the interviewer.
2. Establish a Positive Relationship
To progress to the next stage of the interview process and ultimately receive a job offer, it’s important to build a positive relationship with the interviewer. This can be achieved by asking interesting, thought-provoking questions that set you apart from other applicants.
3. Spontaneous Questions During the Interview
While the interviewer may lead the conversation, it’s important to view the interview as a two-way dialogue. This means interrupting tactfully from time to time with spontaneous and curious questions. This will demonstrate your engagement with the job and your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
4. Be Ready with a Set of Questions
At the end of the interview, the interviewer will typically invite you to ask questions.
It’s important to be prepared with a set of ready-made questions that you can ask confidently. Bringing a list of questions with you also demonstrates that you are an organized person who takes a serious approach to the job.
5. Tactical Questions
The way in which you ask your questions can also make a difference.
By framing your questions in a way that creates a picture of yourself working in the job, you can help the interviewer visualize you as a strong candidate. This can help establish a mutual tone and create a positive impression.
6. Differentiating Yourself from Other Candidates
By asking questions that distinguish you from other candidates, you can set yourself apart from the crowd.
This might include questions that ask about the next steps in the hiring process, or that seek to learn more about the team you would be working with.
Remember, it is fine to simulate yourself in the job – The interviewer will also notice and will like it. After all, you are there for the job.
Think how such a question may distinguish yourself from the rest of crowd (i.e. the other candidates).
Questions such as –
- “How soon can I start working in this position?” as compared to a similar question “How soon do you plan on filling this position?”
- “When shall I expect to hear back from you” as compared to “When do you intend to make the hiring decision?” or “What is the next step for consideration?”
- “Who are my team members” as compared to “how many members does the team consist of?”
Being assertive is basically being confident, while still being polite and not aggressive.
Good questions to ask the employer/interviewer
Below are some sure-fire and positive questions you might want to ask during a job interview.
In any case, avoid asking about the salary package and issues that were already covered during the interview.
Questions about the company:
- Why is this company so attractive?
- What do you like about working for this company?
- What attracted you (the interviewer) to this organization?
- What do you like the most about working for this company?
- What do you consider to be the company’s strengths?
- What are the company’s long and short term goals?
- What is the management style of the organization?
Questions about the job:
- What projects and assignments will I be working on the first day?
- What are the current challenges for my position?
- What are the main aspects for making the difference in this position?
- What are the most challenging aspects of my job?
- With whom will I be working most closely?
- Who are my team members?
Questions about career growth and performance:
- Can you describe the opportunities for advancement and the company’s promotional policy?
- What is the uniqueness of the talent employees within the organization?
- What feedback/support will I get? Who will determine my work goals?
- Who will evaluate my performance? What are the performance appraisal methods and the advancement opportunities?
- Do I get on the job training and external/professional training?
Questions about the hiring process:
- When shell I expect to hear back from you?
- How soon can I start working in this position?
In Conclusion,
By asking informed questions, such as the above, you not only gain knowledge about the job and the company, but you also make a good impression of someone who knows what he wants.