Are you about to sit down for a job interview? That’s an exciting possibility! But here’s something you may not have considered: the interview isn’t just for the recruiters to get to know you. Rather, it’s also an opportunity for you to dig deeper and understand the potential job and the organisation as well. The dialogue you create here goes far beyond demonstrating your qualifications and understanding of the industry – it allows you to assess if this is truly the right fit for your career goals, values, and aspirations.
Remember, an interview is a two-way street. Your potential employer is interviewing you to learn more about you, but you are also there to learn about them. Instead of a mere interrogation, it should be a balanced dialogue.
- The Importance of Asking Questions: Asking questions transforms your interview from a one-sided interrogation into a blossoming conversation, turning on its head the power dynamics in the room. It shows your genuine interest and commitment. Importantly, it helps you make informed decisions about your career path based on the responses you receive.
- Delving Deeper with Key Questions: Not all questions are created equal. You need to ask the right questions – ones that reveal essential aspects of the job environment, remuneration, organisational culture, growth and development opportunities, and overall job satisfaction.
- How to Make the Right Impression: Your approach to asking these questions matters. You should ensure your tone is respectful, your questions appropriate and your gestures non-intrusive. Remember, your recruiters will use your questions as a part of their assessment of your suitability for the role.
So, let’s dive into the world of query crafting, providing you with the key questions to ask your potential employer and some additional tips for approaching this critical part of the interview process. Ready to turn the tables?
Ask about the role
Diving into the heart of the matter, asking about the role offers crucial insights. Make sure you are clear on these important facets:
- Understanding the Position: What is the role in question? What are its key contributions and responsibilities within the team and the company as a whole?
- Why is this Role Open?: Is this a newly created position to meet growing needs or fill it a space left by someone else? Understanding the circumstances that have led to the role’s creation or vacancy can provide important context.
- Identifying Role Challenges: What challenges could potentially arise in this role? Knowing about possible roadblocks or hurdles on the way can help you prepare the right candidate.
Example questions regarding the role:
For quick reference, below is a table of the questions you might consider asking your recruiter:
| Category | Question |
|---|---|
| Understanding the Position | “Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this role? How does this role contribute to the overall business objectives of the team and the company?” |
| Why is this Role Open? | “Is this position newly created to cater to specific organisational needs, or is it an existing position? If the latter is accurate, what led to it becoming vacant?” |
| Identifying Role Challenges | “What are the typical challenges someone in this role might encounter? How can I best equip myself to overcome them?” |
Ask about the team
Inquiring about the team you’ll be potentially joining not only displays your eagerness to learn but also paves the way for an understanding of how your role will fit within the broader picture. Here are a couple of key areas you might want to delve into:
- Insight into Future Team Dynamics: This can give you a glimpse into how the team operates, the working styles of team members, and overall, the type of environment you’d be stepping into.
- Structure of Your Prospective Team: Questioning about the team’s structure can provide insights into the reporting lines and define your potential place within the team.
Example questions regarding the team:
Now, let’s shed light on how to phrase these questions effectively during your recruitment discussion:
| Area of Inquiry | Sample Questions |
|---|---|
| Insight into Future Team Dynamics | Could you describe the team’s working style? What is the team’s approach to collaboration and communication? |
| Structure of Your Prospective Team | Who would I be directly reporting to? How does the team’s hierarchical structure look like? |
Ask about the performance
When you transition from a prospective candidate to an inquirer, your primary focus should be on obtaining as much insight as possible concerning the role you’re considering. One way to do this is by asking about the performance. More specifically:
- Evaluating Your Contribution: How is performance measured and evaluated in your prospective role?
- Defining Success for Your Role: How does the company define success in the specific role you’re interested in?
- Alignment with Future Manager: How will your role align with your future manager’s goals and expectations?
Example questions regarding the performance:
In order to highlight this concept and give you a better understanding, let’s cast some light on a couple of example questions that you may want to consider:
| Area | Question |
|---|---|
| Evaluating Your Contribution | What are the key performance indicators for this role? |
| Defining Success for Your Role | How is success quantified within this role over the first 6 to 12 months? |
| Alignment with Future Manager | How do you see this role evolving to support your future strategies and how does this align with my prospective manager’s goals? |
Ask about the culture
In your journey from a candidate to an inquirer, a fundamental area of exploration is understanding the company’s culture. This extends beyond just knowing the mission statement or the brand image; it involves a deep dive into the heart of what makes that place of work tick. This is where you start…
- Grasping Company Culture: Your insights about a company’s culture should not be based solely on what you read in a pamphlet or on their website. It would be best to dive into discussions with the current employees, observe their work environment, and take note of their attitudes and interactions. Understanding the nuances of the company’s culture will provide you with a firm grasp of what it is like to work there and whether it aligns with your personal values.
- Personal Insights: Likes and Dislikes: Unmasking your personal likes and dislikes about a potential work environment is crucial. You don’t want to step into a position that may rank high on the corporate ladder but falls low on satisfaction or happiness. Reflect on the aspects of culture you’ve interacted with in your past experiences. What worked for you? What didn’t? And most importantly, why?
- Values Alignment Assessment : Perhaps the most significant aspect of selecting a company lies in the alignment of your values and theirs. Companies that foster a culture that aligns with their employees’ values are likely to have higher employee engagement, better morale, and lower turnover. Evaluate whether your personal and professional values align with the company’s. This assessment can lead you to a fulfilling job, wherein your values are respected and reciprocated.
Example questions regarding the culture:
| Area of Concern | Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Work Environment | What is a typical day like at the company? How does the team handle pressure or tight deadlines? |
| Corporate Values | What are the company’s core values? How does the company integrate these values into daily operations? |
| Employee Recognition | How does the company recognise and reward employee effort or achievement? |
| Team Dynamics | Could you describe the team dynamics or the team culture here? How do colleagues interact with each other on a daily basis? |
| Work-Life Balance | How does the company support work-life balance for its employees? Are flexible working hours an option? |
Ask about the recruitment process
Once you’ve got a clear grasp of the role, dig deeper into the recruitment process. This entails understanding what the future steps are (i.e. subsequent interview rounds, tasks, presentations), establishing a timeline (i.e. when decisions are expected to be made), and preparing for the journey ahead.
| Key Topic | Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Understanding Future Steps | Can you outline the subsequent stages in the recruitment process? Is there a chance that I’ll be asked to complete a task or presentation? |
| Establishing a Timeline | When can I expect to hear back about the next steps? What is the expected timeline for this recruitment process? |
| Preparing for the Journey Ahead | How can I best prepare for the next stages of the process? What additional resources/the information can you provide that might be helpful? |
In the journey from candidate to potential inquirer, it’s crucial to realise that posing insightful questions to your recruiter can make all the difference. Queries not only exhibit your keenness towards the role at hand, but also directly contribute to your personal knowledge and understanding of the recruitment process.
Remember, the questions you ask reflect your enthusiasm and engagement. They denote your will to step ahead with an informed footing – showcasing your proactive ethos.
From understanding future steps to establishing a timeline, and preparing for the journey ahead, your inquiries will render the recruitment process more transparent and approachable. This interaction is not just another systemic process; it’s a two-way street of communication, clarifying expectations and removing uncertainties on both ends.
Go ahead, ask your questions. Show that you are not just a silent participant, but an active seeker. Remember that the questions you ask today pave the path for the journey you embark on tomorrow.
As succinctly illustrated in this article, questioning is intrinsically linked with the successful navigation of your recruitment journey. So, keep those questions coming and stride confidently forward.
