You’ve arrived for a job interview all dressed up, and you’ve demonstrated that you have the experience and the skills required for the position.
You have managed to answer all the questions of the interviewer, even the trickiest ones.
Now, in all the job interviews, there comes a moment where the roles are changed.
When the interviewer says: Do you have any questions for me? This is a golden opportunity for you to learn more about the company and stand out among other job applicants.
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Max Woolf at Zety, lists the 7 questions you should ask in a job interview so that you can land a topnotch job.
1. What Are the Company Goals for the Next 1-3 Years?
Right off the bat, this question is going to show the interviewer that you’re future-orientated and that you care about where the company is headed. This question may also point out to the recruiter that you’d prefer to stay with the company for an extended period of time, which is a good thing because staff turnover costs Australian companies $3.8 billion over 12 months.
Besides, you will get to learn whether the company is serious about its objectives in the long run.
Tip: Make sure you do your research about the company so that you can ask some more specific questions. Perhaps, the company recently launched a new product, in which case you can ask the recruiter to give you more details on that.
2. Can You Describe My Typical Day at Your Company?
Having crystal-clear expectations is essential for job satisfaction. Different companies have their own workflows, which may or may not work for you. By asking the hiring manager this question, you will get an idea of what your typical days in the company will be like.
Back in the day, when I was an intern with no prior work experience, I worked for a company that utilized the “focus time” approach. It implied that during certain hours, the employees were not allowed to communicate (not even through messaging or emails) with each other on work-related matters but sit in silence instead to avoid disturbing each other. This approach worked for some, but the overwhelming majority of my colleagues didn’t have a particular liking to it.
3. Is There Room for Promotion in This Position?
This question will help you understand whether or not you are going to have a chance to advance your career within the organisation.
What’s more, you will also show the hiring manager that you are ambitious and are willing to make a long-term commitment.
4. What Is the Story Behind the Position?
It is a good idea to ask the hiring manager if the position has opened up recently or it has been around for quite a while now. You may not be comfortable asking this question, but it is important that you do.
Chances are that several employees filling the position have left or were let go in recent years, which means that something is off and you should be seriously cautious about taking the job.
5. What Are the Most Important Objectives for This Position in the First Months?
The way you start a new job is crucial to determining your future in the company. In many cases, your goals will already be predefined for you.
Knowing what your immediate objectives are will help you understand if you are the right person for the position. You will also know if the company expectations are reasonable and whether or not you will be able to deliver on them.
6. Do You Have Some More Questions About My Profile?
Once again, this is not an easy question to ask, but it can differentiate you from the competition as well as let you glimpse into what the recruiter’s decision about you is. If they mention some concerns about what they saw on your resume, you can address them with confidence and alleviate those fears.
With luck, this will reassure the interviewer, and you will also clear up any doubts they may have had about you.
7. What Are the Next Steps in the Selection Process?
This is the question that you must always ask in every job interview. By asking it, you’ll have a clear idea of what’s going to come next.
Perhaps, the company will send you over a test task to complete, or there will be another round of interviews involving the team members.
