Thought-Provoking Questions To Ask Your Interviewer

Employers take tremendous value in the questions you ask during an interview because they will reveal your level of preparation, engagement, and curiosity for the position. Quit focusing on yourself and how your personal needs will be addressed in the role. Instead, ask stimulating questions to produce a quality conversation that reveals you are invested in the team’s betterment and showcases your unique value.

Captivate your interviewer and position yourself as the ideal candidate by asking these five questions:

“What Efforts Does Your Organization Take To Uphold Its Culture & Values?”

Asking this question shows you take immense value in the company’s work environment and management style. As the candidate, you need to be sure their answer aligns with your most coveted factors and that you can visualize long-term growth. To the employer, it reveals you are not simply looking to jump on the first opportunity thrown your way. Awaiting an opportunity that aligns with your skill-set, core principles, and career aspirations displays yourself as an employee worth pursuing.

“Everyone will tell you that their culture is great, but only examples will prove it.” -Abby Kohut

Does their corporate culture and philosophy prioritize employee happiness and work-life balance? When conflict arises, it is a make-or-break scenario for management to either show authentic leadership or to ensue greater chaos. A poor leader will shut down and pass blame, often leading to a toxic work environment. An admirable leader will set the standard for accountability and turn away from his/her selfish tendencies. Ask your interviewer to share a recent example of when conflict arose and how it got resolved, or create a scenario for them.

“What Goals Do You Have in Mind For Me Within The First Few Months?”

Not all job descriptions are as reliable as the hiring manager or recruiter may claim. Not only should you verify the specific responsibilities, but you should seek to understand the specific goals they have within a 30-60-90 (Learning-Contributing-Leading) day plan. Are the goals realistic and quantifiable, or are they more generalized and open to interpretation? Asking about current projects and objectives within the role shows that you are an achiever, a hard worker, and eager for more responsibility. Additionally, it is your best chance at receiving an ‘inside look’ into a future with the company. 

As the interviewee, you must also be prepared for the scenario of the hiring manager posing this question to you. If you are serious about the job, you can truly set yourself apart by following a similar model in your 30-60-90-day plan. By setting performance goals, learning goals, personal goals, and clear initiatives, you reveal a willingness to work hard and an eagerness to ‘hit the ground running.’ As a result, you will undoubtedly secure competitive advantage as you enter the final interview stages.

“What Do You Like Most About This Company?”

Your interviewer has insight into the company’s strengths, weaknesses, management style, and overall sense of camaraderie. Posing this question naturally gives them the platform to talk about themselves and the topics they know best. They are likely used to hearing this question and know that there is no excuse for a lackluster response. If their response entices you, hitting on key metrics surrounding company values, culture, reputation, and open communication, you can rest assured that no one’s time is being wasted in this process. However, if their answer lacks quality, it is an immediate red flag to your potential job satisfaction and may indicate it is time to move on.

“What New Problems Are You Facing & How Can I Contribute?”

Inquiring on the specifics of other current challenges the company faces (that you have not already addressed) is a great way to start a serious conversation. Your interviewer will not only be able to provide information but share his/her specific opinion as well. Subjecting yourself to the ways your interviewer can see your skill-set being incorporated into their present challenges is a vulnerable proposition but conjointly reveals subtle confidence in your capabilities.

*Pro-Tip* Ask for examples of team chemistry and how the team collaborates daily. Diving into these details will cause your interviewer to picture you as a part of their organization and reveal you as a true team player. 

“Where Do You See Your Company in Five Years?”

Is this company your long-term home? Examining the company’s future provides insight into what makes the company tick. Furthermore, you can uncover whether you would be a fit long-term based on their response. For example, suppose the company reveals no plans to increase in size or expand into new markets. In that case, you have the grounds to fear becoming stagnant in your career. Conversely, suppose their plans to expand into new markets involved shipping you across the country to head up a new branch. In that case, you must be sure that you are open to that prospective scenario.

Asking about the future gives a positive impression to your interviewer because it shows you are thinking about the big picture. In fact, former Goldman Sachs’ Chief of Staff & current Solemates Co-Founder, Becca Brown, revealed to Business Insider that she often wished candidates would ask this question. Brown also stated it was a “great way for candidates to stand out.” Asking this question places stock behind the statement “I see myself here long-term,” because it signifies their answer did not scare you away.

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Don’t Ask These Questions During Your Next Job Interview

When you are eager to begin your next journey with a new company, there is not much more exhilarating and nerve-racking than the job interview season. Meeting new potential employers during an interview is an exciting occasion because it acknowledges mutual interest in a likely long-term relationship.

To this point, you have dedicated hours preparing what to say, what to expect, and how to showcase your skills in a manner that convinces your interviewer you are best suited for the job. However, it is essential to remember that the interview is a two-way street, and you will be expected to ask questions. This can be a tricky line to walk as you balance 1) uncovering the unknowns surrounding the job while 2) staying appropriate and professional as not to deter your interviewer.

Your closing questions should not be a deep dive into specific company issues, nor should they be overly basic questions. Don’t tarnish any rapport you’ve built with your interviewer and spoil your shot at the job through incompetence. Here are a few questions you would be best suited to AVOID bringing up during your first-round interviews:

“What Does This Job Entail?”

At this point, you should have a decent understanding of the role you applied for and should avoid this generalized question. Instead, focus on specific aspects of the job, such as your daily responsibilities, who you will manage, or who you will be managed by. Ask about what future goals or projects they have in place and what you should prioritize within the role.

In a broader light, you can inquire about the work culture and work environment you will be joining. 

*Pro-Tip* Look back on the notes you’ve taken throughout the interview and pose a question based on your interviewer’s own words. Seeking further insight on a topic they covered will not only show you are a good listener but reiterates your interest in the job as well.

“What Is The Salary For This Position?”

The subject of salary and bonus potential is not deemed appropriate for you to bring up as the candidate. Leave this topic for the employer to reveal in a second or third-round interview or, to ask you directly: “What are your salary demands?” To answer this question, offer a specific range based on the research you have conducted for the position, location, industry, and experience level. Providing this range will leave room for compromise and negotiation. 

“What Exactly Does Your Company Do?”

Again, posing basic questions like this reveals a lack of preparation and a lack of interest to your interviewer. Either you failed to review the job description thoroughly, or you failed to conduct fundamental research into their website. Both will be seen as a red flag to any hiring manager or recruiter. As a general rule, you should never ask any question that you could have quickly answered for yourself online.

While you are expected to bring a blank notepad to track the information you receive during the interview, there is a similar expectation that you arrive with notes as well. From insight on the company’s mission statement, core values, target audience, provided resources, current challenges, and top competitors, speaking to these topics rather than asking about them will show you did your homework and are invested in making the most of your interview and interviewer’s time.

“What Is Your Policy On PTO & Health Benefits?”

Details surrounding paid vacation, 401k contributions, and provided health benefits can often weigh into your decision-making, but requiring this information early on will have your interviewer questioning your priorities. The more conventional approach is to evaluate these features in a later round of interviews or when weighing multiple job offers. Additionally, your immediate inquiry into paid time off will have employers questioning your commitment. If the details are not already revealed in the job description, it’s safe to assume the benefits will not surpass the industry standard.

“When Will I Be Up For A Promotion?”

While giving the impression that you are eager to grow and take more responsibility is admirable, your interviewer may not be keen to hear you are already looking beyond the job for which you are applying. Basic interview etiquette suggests that you should not be looking ahead to a new salary and job description before you’ve even been offered the job at hand.

Instead, ask your interviewer to define success within the role and provide an example of growth within the company. Turn your focus toward how you can impact the company rather than how it can best serve you. As the candidate being evaluated, you want to show you are ready to work hard and grow within the company rather than quick to pursue the next best opportunity.

Other Questions To Avoid (Which Shouldn’t Need Explaining)

– “Do I need to pass a drug test?”

– “Do your employees get breaks and if so, how long?”

– “Can I do this job from home?”

– “Will I be asked to work weekends or stay late?”

– “Will you be checking my references?”

– “Do you like your job?”

– “Do you have other openings I can apply for?”

Stay tuned for next week when I break down the meaningful, thought-provoking questions you should be asking during your interview.

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The Ultimate Guide To Nailing Your Job Interview

Do you have a firm grasp of what hiring managers and recruiters are looking for during your interview? What does it take to reveal yourself as the ‘ideal candidate’ through your comments and responses? From the interview classics to addressing your work history, future goals, job specifications, and more, our friends at The Muse recently constructed a supremely extensive guide to answering any question that may come your way. Join us as we break down a few of our favorite examples and offer our reaction and comments:

“Why Do You Want To Work Here?”

Clearly, the job listing and description caught your attention if it brought you to an interview, but hitting the bullet points from the job listing is too generic of an approach. If you want to stand out as a candidate, you must point to what makes the company unique and why it appeals to you. Take a deep dive into the history and foundation of the company. Provide specifics as to how and why you want to be a part of their success long-term, and allow your passion to take over. For example, you can reveal how you took a keen interest in a company’s new product line, marketing initiative, or management change. If you can’t come up with specific reasons or you are struggling to convince yourself of your own words, the position is likely not the right fit for you. 

“Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You’ve Faced at Work, and How You Addressed It.”

When your interviewer opens the floor to discuss your work history, keep in mind that they already reviewed your resume, and merely reiterating your content will be seen as a waste of time. Although no one prefers to discuss their conflicts and work-related stress, employers will want to hear how you’ve overcome obstacles in your career. Be open and honest, but remember to remain calm and professional, especially if it is not a fond memory. To showcase you are open to learning from difficult experiences, emphasize what you would choose to do differently. Lastly, keep the focus on the resolution more than the conflict.

“Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?”

Here’s a question you can certainly expect to be asked by your interviewer. Whether you were let go due to the pandemic or choosing to leave on your terms, any organization considering hiring you will want to know the details surrounding your exit and the relationships you carried. Do you want a salary/promotion your prior employer wasn’t willing to give you? Did you not get along with previous management? There is nothing you can gain from trashing a former employer or manager. Keep things light and straightforward while maintaining an eagerness for the job at hand.

Questions Concerning Your Goals & Preferences

In getting to know the candidates, employers will want to discover what makes you tick. What are your long-term and short-term career goals? If you are asked about your preferences in a work environment and what you want out of a job, the obvious route is to hit the specifics of the company and position to which you are applying (if it truly is the one you want).

As much as you need to prepare for your interview and position yourself as the best candidate, you cannot lose sight of the interview being a two-way street. Ask your interviewer questions such as:

 – Why is this position available? (Is it new, or did someone leave the role?) 

– What is keeping employees happy and long-tenured?

– Upon getting hired, what are the first steps?

– What makes someone successful in this role?

The most prominent leaders are tenacious and decisive, but also adaptable and introspective. If you see the makings of this leadership style within an organization, you may have found a great place to accelerate your career.

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Aligning Your Capabilities with Your Career Aspirations

Having a full understanding of your skills and behaviors is critical to reaching your dream job or dream industry. For a while, ambition can bring positive results and even a job promotion, but without introspection, your engaged, ‘self-starter’ approach will eventually fade. When you genuinely understand your capabilities and see them in action, confidence can take over when it comes to achieving your highest aspirations. Carrying out your career aspirations brings benefits of intense focus, passion, and clarity. If this is a step too soon for you and you require a little guidance for your career indecision, consider these thoughts.

“There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” – Napoleon Hill

A former Fortune 50 COO and leadership coach, India Gary-Martin, credits networking and leadership development courses for overcoming her lack of experience and producing her eventual success. Below, she reveals five crucial questions you must ask yourself in aligning yourself with your aspirations:

Do you have any existing relationships with the leaders who will become your peer group?

There is no substitute for experience. If you desire a leadership role, you can anticipate work experience to be your greatest bargaining chip. If you want to learn more about a specific company, industry, or position, reaching out for an informational interview is your window to a firsthand perspective. It is very likely that the career professional you admire received some help along the way, and they will feel inclined to ‘pay it forward.’ If you don’t ask, you don’t receive. 

What are the attributes of those who are currently or have previously been in the role?

Whether through an in-person meeting, a phone call, LinkedIn messaging, or thorough internet research, understanding the features that construct the position of power you covet will bring you one step closer. For example, if you desire a leadership position in business operations, you may come across crucial components such as organization, problem-solving, analytics, supervising, and decision-making. Is cost efficiency and budgeting in your nature? As you converse with seasoned professionals, note whether or not their journeys align with your background and capabilities. 

How do leaders and staff perceive you?

Are you aware of what your peers and superiors think about you? It may be time to ask the tough questions with your most trusted and authentic associates. Discover how they observe your greatest strengths and most notable weaknesses. What are your most impressionable ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills’? Do they believe you would thrive in a position of leadership? Saying you are ready and actually being ready are two different things. These perceptions about you matter because they will come to fruition in your next role, whether you believe it or not. 

Do you have a compelling story?

It’s unlikely that you will check every box for an employer, and that’s where your preparation and storytelling come into play. The difference between the candidate who gets hired versus one who is not is often their ability to tie their work experience and achievements into the job description at hand. Your ability to control the narrative in what makes you the most qualified and presentable candidate can put you a step above your peers. 

“Why you?”

After checking all the boxes and offering a compelling story, you still have to address this final question. What is it about you that will benefit the company specifically in a way no other candidate can? Is there a unique anecdote that goes beyond the alignment of your capabilities and the job you desire? If you don’t believe in yourself, you are only causing others to do the same. Confidence plays a significant role in achieving your big dreams, even if it is through small, practical steps. 

Whether companies are hiring or not, make an introduction and let your passion lead the way. Carry yourself with a mindset of endless opportunity and curiosity. You are likely more qualified than you believe.

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Resume Must-Haves For 2021

If you fail to ‘adapt with the times’ as a job-seeker, your resume will fall short. Making the proper adjustments starts with a willingness to learn and acclimate to new trends. Similar to how there are expectations for you to tailor your resume’s content to the job description you are applying for, there are expectations for the integral structure of your resume as well. The more months that have elapsed since you’ve last reopened your job search, the more alterations you will discover to be necessary.

Furthermore, between spiked unemployment rates and fluctuating employer needs, COVID-19’s impact makes a strong resume vital now more than ever. With the help of the career experts at The Ladders and CNBC Make It, we reveal four resume expectations all hiring managers will have amidst the coronavirus pandemic:

Remote Work Skills

Due to the pandemic, employees were forced into an abrupt change of environment, pushing many of you outside your comfort zone. As a result, there are likely new telecommunication skills and other resourceful skills you’ve acquired. Don’t gloss over this experience with generalized statements such as “I am a quick learner” or “I am adaptable.” Instead, share your experience working remotely and how you’ve been able to manage all your responsibilities or even become more productive. Provide details on how your company utilized Zoom, Slack, or another communication platform, and how you stayed heavily involved in meetings. 

How You’ve Adjusted to COVID-19 Within Your Role

Employers are looking for employees who have demonstrated an ability to adjust through unprecedented challenges and altering expectations. Reveal how you have proven yourself to be adaptable. Outside of the change in scenery, this may include budget adjustments, new technology, new responsibilities, or communicating with co-workers you haven’t worked with before. 

Showcase examples or critical metrics that highlight your abilities in critical thinking, organization, dedication, and other vital strengths you possess. But remember, this conversation is your chance to interview your potential employer as well. If you desire open communication with management, resources available to delimit workplace stress and aid mental health, or strong precautions put in place to limit the spread of the virus for all employees, now is the time to present these concerns.

Describing Previous Role and Employers

Unless your previous employment was with a nationally known company such as Google, Microsoft, or Amazon, it’s pivotal that you provide a brief company description. When you reflect on your previous role’s responsibilities, can you identify any similarities between your duties and the present job description? Incorporate a few of the keywords used by the employer as you highlight your relevant work experience. When emphasizing this experience in a previous role, Yang also recommends listing the company size as it will speak to the workload you took on and resources you had available.

*PRO TIP / BONUS TIP* – Include the job title for which you are applying at the top of your resume. A bold, relevant title can immediately grab the attention of the hiring manager. Career coach Peter Yang recommends you place this title directly beneath your name and contact information.

A Link to Your LinkedIn Profile

An often-neglected step in your application process is including the link to your LinkedIn profile page. Providing the link will offer quick access to the hiring manager when they download your application and garner a proper first impression. Presenting this digital first-impression promptly is critical, considering how much of the interview process is conducted virtually. A ResumeGo study found that candidates with a “comprehensive” LinkedIn profile have a 71% higher chance of getting an interview than those who don’t. Just remember to optimize all the features LinkedIn has to offer, rather than simply repeating your resume. Those who optimized LinkedIn’s features for a comprehensive profile page saw a 6% increase in callbacks over those who did not.

Wrap Up

Incorporating these four elements will maximize your shot at landing the interview and, ultimately, a new job. For more insights into constructing a winning resume in 2021 and real examples, check out Peter Yang’s full article. Yang discusses the importance of including an experience summary, which should take precedent over the age-old objective statement.

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