If you think by the time you are asked ‘what questions do you have for me?’ the interview is over, think again. A good interviewer knows the importance of this question: they want to recruit inquisitive, considered and well-prepared staff
Asking good questions demonstrates many skills and candidates with good questioning techniques generally get the job. Most interviewees, however, only prepare a few vaguely relevant questions – the sort of thing you can get in five minutes following a search in Google.
There are three techniques to use:
- Do not rely on a few mediocre questions gleaned from a Google search. Being average does not secure jobs. Besides, this is your opportunity to determine if the organisation is a good match for your own interests and goals.
- Set aside a reasonable amount of time to generate some questions generating good questions is not a two-minute job. You must conduct thorough research on the employer. Look at recent news about the organisation, topical issues affecting the industry and relate it to the position you are applying for. Show you have an interest in the business activity. Use your findings to generate questions.
- Plan to integrate your questions throughout the interview. Don’t wait to be invited to ask. Think about natural points to do so, for example when asked ‘Tell me a little about you’ finish your answer with a question. Remember, the interviewer wants to be in a conversation with you, not a formulaic question and answer session.
If you ask good questions and spread them throughout the interview, you are hugely increasing your chances of securing the job. Asking the right questions takes as much skill as giving the right answers.
Examples:
The company
- How do you compare to your competitors?
- What is your market share?
- Your company was purchased by another firm recently. What effect has this had?
- I see the bad weather means bookings have fallen. What is the impact?
- With the election coming this year will projects be put on hold?
- I read in the paper you have a change management program in place. What does this mean?
- What do you think makes this company stand out as an employer?
The customers
- Why do your customers buy from you?
- Can you describe your relationship with a typical customer?
- How do you look after your customers?
- What percentage of customers do you keep?
The people
- What sort of experience does the team have?
- When good people leave the company, where do they go and why?
- What is the culture of the team?
- Who is your manager? And how do you work together?
- What interesting projects do you have planned for the next 6 months?
You and your role
- What will my first seven-to-10 days involve?
- What strengths and weaknesses do you see in me?
- What is the most important thing I could do in the first 90 days to help?
- What is expected of me and how will you measure my performance?
