Interviews are a one-way street. As much as the interviewer takes a microscope away from you and your skills, analyze whether the company really suits you. Asking questions during your interview will help you understand the company culture and is key to a successful interview.
Job Search Site Circular Board Reports 47% of employers say they reject candidates if they are unfamiliar with the company. Asking questions during the interview process shows that you’ve done your research and want to learn more. But what you ask is also important – the caliber of questions you ask could put you ahead of the competition.
Ask specific questions about the job
Chegg urges respondents to research and be strategic about the questions they ask.[d]Don’t ask questions that anyone can answer with a quick look at the company’s website. “Asking general questions can have a detrimental effect in an interview and reveal what can be interpreted as a lack of effort. Instead, ask for the details of the position. “What would an average working day look like for this position?” is a question that lets the interviewer know that you are interested in the details of the job and that gives you a clearer picture of what the job will involve.
Liza Kirkpatrick, Director of the Career Management Center at the Kellogg School of Management, said CNBC The respondents should inquire specifically about the first 90 working days. Kirkpatrick advises to ask “What are the biggest challenges in the first 90 days and how is success measured?” Asking about the challenges and metrics of success will give you a clear picture of the company’s expectations and also show your ambition. Also, you can find out if those responsibilities and expectations make it seem like this is really the job for you.
G / O Media can receive a commission
Ask about the corporate culture
In the past few years, Callout culture has challenged the problem of toxic work environments and called for accountability for employee and corporate actions. And while the movement has led to one Increase in anti-racist initiatives and corporate actions towards diversity and inclusion, that doesn’t mean the company you are referring to lives and breathes.
Don’t be afraid to inquire about your potential employer’s actions in this regard. I once interviewed a company whose treatment was questioned by black women. I respectfully asked how the situation had been approached and what systems were in place to promote the equity of their employees. My question was received with appreciation and the interviewer commented on the changes he had made and provided insight into his personal experience of the company’s realignment. Questions like these are critical to your own understanding of how the company respects its employees and how they fuel their diversity and inclusion efforts.
The corporate culture also extends to changes in infrastructure due to the pandemic. Many companies were forced to do so postpone how they work quiteMoving from personal work to a completely remote structure or a mixture of both. Ask how the company handled obstacles during the pandemic and how employees (including the interviewer) were affected. You will get a feel for the company’s ability to look after its employees and the flexibility of management. It also gives the interviewer the opportunity to deal introspectively and openly with a hopeful future employee.
Ask about your chances
Before ending the interview, ask about your skills: What do you think the interviewer can do to the company? This can be an awkward question as you are essentially asking about your own chances of getting hired. Kirkpatrick suggests being forward in your approach by asking: “Is there anything about my background that you hesitate to take me forward in the interview process?” She explains, “Hiring managers love when candidates ask this question because it shows a sense of self-awareness.” A question like this can help you identify your weaknesses and how you can further improve your skills.
If the direct approach doesn’t suit you, check out The Muse career coaching website suggests an alternative::
“Make this question more supportive by saying, ‘Are there any other experiences or qualities that I could elaborate on?'”
The most important thing is to be confident and remember this: you are interviewing the company just as they are interviewing you.
