Interview Preparedness Ask Questions You’re not the only one being interviewed! A Publication of Match Resumes and Careers

Why should you ask questions too? It's important to remember that every interview is a two-way street. You should be interviewing the employer just as much as they're interviewing you because you both need to walk away convinced that the job would be a great fit. So when the tables are turned and the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for me?" take advantage of this opportunity. It's the best way to determine if you'd be happy working for this employer, and whether your goals are aligned with theirs.  "The very process of asking questions completely changes the dynamic of the interview and the hiring manager's perception of you," says Teri Hockett, chief executive of What's For Work?, a career site for women. "Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to discover details that you might not have otherwise unveiled.“ Amy Hoover, president of TalentZoo, says there's another reason you should always prepare questions. "It's expected — and if you don't ask at least two questions, you will appear disinterested, or worse, less intelligent and engaged than a prospective employer would like." You should have at least four questions prepared, though, in case your original two are answered through the course of the interview. But, Hoover says, don't just ask questions for the sake of it. To actually benefit from them, you'll need to think carefully about what you want to ask.

Why should you ask questions too? It’s a good idea to prepare several questions as the interview process may involve multiple sessions with different people. It is absolutely fine to have your questions listed in a notebook. The last thing you want is to become distracted thinking more about what questions to ask when your interview is wrapping up. At the appropriate time let the interviewer know you’d like to refer to your notes for a moment. Take a few breaths as you select two or three questions that have not been discussed during the course of the interview. The questions in the next several slides are great examples of what to say when the tables are turned and the interviewer asks you… “do you have any questions” ?

Can you tell me what steps need to be completed before your company can generate an offer? . "Any opportunity to learn the timeline for a hire is crucial information for you," Hoover advises. Asking about an "offer" rather than a "decision" will give you a better sense of the timeline because "decision" is a broad term, while an "offer" refers to the point when they're ready to hand over the contract. 

How would you score the company on living up to its core values How would you score the company on living up to its core values? What’s the one thing you’re working to improve on? . This question supports your level of professional maturity. You want to understand more about the internal workings of the company before joining it.  If the interviewer reveals an area of weakness, you may have an idea how you can help.

What have past employees done to succeed in this position? . The answer to this question reveals what the employer values.  

If you were to hire me, what might I expect in a typical day? . Not only will this question communicate you are interested in the position, but the answer will help you decide if it’s a good fit for your goals and your skills. Dig deeper on this one if you have any concerns – we are talking about the “typical day”. Is it what you want to be doing?

doing well and advancing at the company? What type of employee tends to succeed here? What qualities are the most important for doing well and advancing at the company? . This question shows the interviewer you are looking for a career, with opportunity for growth and advancement, and you care about your future at the company. It will also help you decide if you're a good fit for the position

Is there anyone else I should meet with in the company – who will I be reporting to if I am offered the position? . The answer to this question will give you several possible insights: Does the company value teamwork? If the interviewer tells you they plan on scheduling several meetings with different co-workers, you will have an idea of the hiring timeline. You want to meet your teammates before you accept the position, of course!

How do you help your team grow professionally? . If you are looking for a career with growth opportunities, you want to know if the company invests in training.

How do you evaluate success here? . Knowing how an organization measures its employees' success is important. It will help you understand what it would take to advance in your career with the company — and can help you decide if the employer's values align with your own.

What are some of the problems your company is facing right now, and how are you working to solve them? . Company’s hire people for one main reason – to solve problems. You may have some ideas to share if you know what they are. Understanding a company’s problems also may tell a you bit more about their values.

What is your timeline for hiring someone for the position – when can I expect to hear back from you? . Asking this questions confirms you are interested in the position. The answer will help you plan when to follow up if you don’t hear back. Sometimes the process takes longer than expected, priorities change at companies all the time. You don’t want to be left waiting and wondering – rather you want to be proactive in your follow up.

or if not, why did the person leave? Is this a new position, or if not, why did the person leave? . This question could reveal two important points about the company. Was the person promoted? – good sign the company advances its people. If it’s a new position – good sign the company is growing.

Where do you see the company in three years – how will this position contribute to the vision? . Are you looking for a career? You will want to know where the company is headed so you can be a positive contributor. Shows the interviewer you know its important to stay focused on big picture goals.

How do you handle new business pitches How do you handle new business pitches? Who gets involved in generating new business at this company? Is there a team in place, and do they cull employees from different teams depending on the business that your firm is going after? . Asking about a company’s game plan shows you are success oriented. "Star performers are usually eager to get involved in the new business effort, even if they are not technically on the new business team," says *Oliver. "When you ask about new business, you're signaling that you're an A player.“ Vicky Oliver, "301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions."

Is there anything else I can provide you to help you make your decision? . This question not only shows your eagerness for the position, it will give you peace of mind that everything was covered during the interview. It could also prompt a question the interviewer would like clarified.

Asking questions during your interview shows you are prepared and interested in finding a good fit. If you are not getting interviews, it may be your resume does not stand out among the 100’s of applications employers typically receive. I help candidates get more interviews by writing targeted resumes to resonate with recruiters. For a review of your resume and a proposal for resume services, contact Deborah Olson, CPRW 206.310.7357 info@matchresumes.com The introduction and some of the questions in this presentation are extrapolated from an article on BusinessInsider.com. A Publication of ABC Company