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Interviewing can be a gut-wrenching process. Most books on how
to interview list hundreds of questions you need to be ready to answer,
but few talk about the questions you need to ask.
Take
more control at your next interview by asking some pointed questions of
your own. Here are six must-ask questions and why you should know the
answers.
1. What happened to the person who previously did this job? (If a new position: How has this job been performed in the past?)
Why You Need to Ask:
You need to know any problems or past history associated with this
position. For instance, was your predecessor fired, or was he promoted?
Is this a temporary position or brand-new? The answer will tell you
about management's expectations and how the company is gearing to grow.
2. Why did you choose to work here? What keeps you here?
Why You Need to Ask:
Although you may like this company, you're an outsider. You need to
find out what an insider has to say about working there. Who better to
ask than your interviewer? This also forces the interviewer to step out
of their official corporate role and answer personally as an employee
and potential coworker.
3. What is the first problem the person you hire must attend to?
Why You Need to Ask:
You need to be on the same page as your new manager, as well as be
clear on what the initial expectations are and that you can deliver.
What you don't want is to allow yourself to be misled about the job’s
requirements and end up overwhelmed and over your head after the first
week on the job.
4. What can you tell me about the individual to whom I would report?
Why You Need to Ask:
It doesn't matter how wonderful the company might be; your time will be
spent working for a specific manager. You need to find out who this
person is and what kind of manager he is -- earlier rather than later,
before personality clashes develop. If you're an independent type used
to working through solutions on your own, for instance, you'll chafe
when you find you're being supervised by a micromanager.
5. What are the company's five-year sales and profit projections?
Why You Need to Ask:
You need to know about the future of the company you plan to spend
several years of your life working for. It doesn't have to be this
exact question. For example, you might want to ask about the company's
future plans for new products and services or any planned market
expansion. Of course, you've done your own research, but nothing can
beat an insider’s observations and insights. This also shows you've
done your homework and are serious about this company.
6. What's our next step?
Why You Need to Ask:
This is your closing and the most important question to ask at the end
of the interview. You need to know what happens after this point. Many
books advise asking for the job now, but most people may feel too
intimidated to bluntly do so. And with more candidates already
scheduled for interviews, they're not likely to make you an offer yet.
You may also need to do some additional research on the company, making
it too early to ask for the job.
A good compromise: Take the
lead and set a plan for follow-up. You'll also be able to gauge their
enthusiasm when they answer. Don't forget to ask for your interviewer’s
direct phone number and the best time to call.
What to Remember
As
a job seeker, the key to a good interview is to find out as much about
your potential employer as possible. Asking these six questions will
not only make you appear more committed as a candidate, but will also
give you better insight into both the challenges and opportunities that
may lie ahead for you.
[As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent
the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the
best jobs of their careers. He makes it easy for anyone to find and
land the job they really want -- all on their own in the shortest time
possible. Discover more insider job search secrets by visiting Job Change Secrets.]
