Interview Prep: 4 Interview Questions To Ask
Interview questions to ask might seem a bit weird coming from you (the candidate). But now that you’re fully prepared to A C E that interview, there’s a little something else we need to talk about. Usually when we think of interviews, we’re typically discussing how YOU can respond to potential questions. “Tell me about your previous work experiences”, “What brings your interest in this company?” and all that jazz. But there’s the thing….the interview goes both ways. Not only is the interviewer questioning you but YOU are interviewing the company.
*record skip*
Yup, any interview is a two way street for both the interview and the interviewee. Here’s a common but misleading way of thinking about interviews: The candidate (you) has to jump through hoops and questions just to make it through the gauntlet…that the interview is ALL about answering questions and HOPING they like you. But here’s the thing….you don’t need to knock on wood and cross your fingers during an interview. You’re an active participant in this interview.
Interviews usually have a section where the interviewer asks “Do you have any questions for us?” Or something to that effect. This part of the interview is saved for last. But that’s where you get to assert yourself and determine whether or not the company is a good fit for you! This is a delicate part since you want to come off as confident and assertive. Cross the line and you might give off bad vibes as pushy or demanding. It’s important to find that balance. Think of yourself as Elle Woods at the end of Legally Blonde and STUNNING your peers!
Route Networking Group Presents:
Interview Prep: 4 Interview Questions To Ask
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What are some expectations of my first months here?
You’ve heard of the saying “fences make good neighbours” and that applies to work too. It’s good to establish some outlines of what your company expects from you in the first few months. Make sure that your new company isn’t expecting the moon when you’re just getting off the ground. Cuz that will cause some problems in the future. You might wanna probe and ask what kind of metrics you can use to measure your progress as well. Having a common “ruler” will help both you and the company be on the same page.
2. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
Again, this is about OUTLINES and establishing bounderies. When we talk about bounderies and outlines, it’s not to limit you. These rubrics are to help you and the company GROW in areas that both parties need. When you don’t know what to do (that’s normal and it happens a lot to new hirees ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ), you can go to the guidelines that both of you agreed on. Rome wasn’t built in a day but it was built brick by brick. Your daily, weekly goals, monthly goals and quarterly goals are a part of that growth.
3. Who do you consider your top competitor, and why?
Alright, this is where the tea will be spilled. And it will be hot! Companies don’t work in isolation since they’re in competition for the same audience. Employees DO talk about each other (you know it’s true!). Figuring out who the company considers competition will help you orientate your work strategy. As Sun Tzu (or Miss Piggy) once said “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
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How long do employees stay here?
Let’s get to the point. Employees stay when they’re satisfied with the company (generally speaking). A bigger number is better. The more time an employee stays on average is a very soft metric of employee satisfaction. There are numerous reasons why an employee stays. They might actually LIKE the company, they might feel valued as a worker…heck it just might be inertia or the overall benefits are just good enough to stay (we call that situation ”golden handcuffs”). The Harvard Business Review has a rather long detailed article on why employees stay. Just keep in mind that employees stay for a number of reasons and a number doesn’t necessarily tell you everything.
Having said that…
The same is true for the reverse. A smaller yearly average is worse. If there’s a high turn-over rate, then that could signal an issue with the company, the company culture, management etc… In a way, you might want to be more concerned with hearing a smaller number than a larger one. Take this with a grain of salt and listen to your gut. If something FEELS off, pay attention to that feeling.
Knowing how to ask these questions will help you determine the bigger decisions you need to make (like if the company is a good fit for you!). Plus, you’ll ask these questions without sounding pushy. As always, remember to PRACTICE a bit, speak a bit slower, and enunciate. You only get 1 interview, so make sure that you stick the landing. Our interview tips work every time, just like the Bend-N-Snap! 😉
Any Cosmo Girl would know.
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A little about us.
Founded in Boise, Idaho, we are proud to be a recruiting agency that is deeply connected to the communities we serve. We exist to help Idaho and Northwestern companies meet their growth strategies by providing them with exceptional, hard-to-find talent. We focus on developing close relationships with both our candidates and our customers through a high-touch, tailored, and efficient experience.
As an agency dedicated to “networking” (it’s in the name), we like to think we help keep the “human” element in “human capital”. And, we’re building a professional network unlike any other.
Whether you’re a candidate considering his or her career options, or a business with hard-to-fill position openings in the Northwest, Route Networking Group can provide you with extensive employment and recruiting support.