If you are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. Read the job description and requirements carefully. Browse the web site to see how the organization presents itself. Search for news items and comments about the company on news sites and blogs.
For the interview itself you should dress smartly and appropriately. It is important to have some questions prepared and here are a few that could really help:
1. What exactly would my day-to-day responsibilities be? It is essential that you clearly understand your role and the tasks that you would be expected to undertake. It is easy to make assumptions and get the wrong impression of what the work would be so it is vital for both sides that there is clarity in what is expected of you. If the interviewer cannot give a clear answer then this is a worrying sign, so politely follow up with more questions. Some people even ask to see exactly where they will sit.
2. What are the opportunities for training and career advancement? This question serves two purposes. It helps you to understand where the job might lead and what skills you might acquire. It also signals that you are ambitious and thinking ahead.
3. What is the biggest challenge facing the organization today? This sort of question takes the interview away from the detail and towards strategic issues. It allows to you see and discuss the bigger picture. It proves that you are interested in more than just the 9 to 5 aspects of the job. It can lead to interesting discussions that can show you in a good light – especially if you have done some intelligent preparation. If appropriate you can follow up this question with some questions about the objectives of the department and the manager who is interviewing you.
4. When did you join? After the interviewer has asked a number of questions about you it can make a good change to ask a gentle question about them. People often like talking about themselves and if you can get them talking about their progress in the company you can learn useful and interesting things.
5. What are the criteria that you are looking for in the successful candidate for this position? The job advertisement may have listed what was wanted in a candidate but it is very useful to hear the criteria directly from the interviewer. The more that you can discover about what they want and how they will make the decision the better placed you are to influence that decision.
6. How do you feel that I measure up to your requirements for this position? This follows on naturally from the previous questions. It may seem a little pushy but it is a perfectly fair thing to ask. In sales parlance this is a ‘trial close’. If they say that you are a good fit then you can ask whether there is any reason you might not be offered the job. If they say that you are lacking in some key skill or attribute then you can move into objection handling mode and point out some relevant experience or a countervailing strength.
7. Would you like to hear what I could do to really help your department? If you want the job then this is a great question to ask at the end of the interview. Most interviewers will reply, ‘Yes.’ Drawing on what you have learnt in the conversation, you can give a short sales pitch on why you fit the criteria and why your strengths and ideas will siginficantly assist the boss to meet their objectives. Make it short, direct and clear with the emphasis on the benefits for them of having you in the team. At the end ask something like, ‘how does that sound?’
Many candidates take a passive role at the interview. They competently answer the questions that are put to them but they never take the initiative by asking intelligent questions that steer the interview in a helpful direction. If you are a proactive candidate who asks the sorts of questions given above then you will be seen as more dynamic and you will significantly increase your chances of being offered the job.
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehacklifehack.org [...]
Harry Brown’s book on selling goes into this topic, covering job interviews. According to Harry, the secret is “find the hiring manager’s motivation and appeal to it.” This relates to Question #3 above. You can read more about Harry’s method at http://www.marketingbullets.com/bullet29.htm
One thing I’ve learned is to ask “Where will I be sitting?” After an internship in a temporary workspace out in the hall, across from the bathrooms, I’ll never not ask that question again. I don’t care how good the job sounds, if they’re going to toss you in a closet or somewhere equally as bad, it’s not worth it.
This is so true. I asked a question similiar to #5, and I believe it made all the difference in how my interview went (I got the job). My interviewer actually looked really surprised I had asked anything, and said “wow, what a great question!”
[...] http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/seven-great-questions-to-ask-at-a-job-interview.html… [...]
[...] Questions to ask at an interview Paul Sloane at lifehack publishes 7 useful questions to ask in an interview (full article at http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/seven-great-questions-to-ask-at-a-job-interview.html). [...]
“Have you stopped beating your wife?”
How recently has your HR department measured management egos to ensure legal requirements?
When were you last cited for fire code violations?
Why did the last person quit? In alternative, why was the last guy fired? No, not the cover story, the truth?
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack (tags: interview career jobs business questions tips) [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack (tags: tips work advice business career jobs Interview) [...]
[...] are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. Read the job description and requirements carefully. Browse the web site to see how the organization presents [...]
[...] By Paul Sloane, OriginalLink [...]
Tell me about the financial stability of the company?
If I talked to your customers what would they like about the company?
Tell me about the most successful person you have worked with that has had my position? What were the attributes that made them win?
As a manager, tell me about your style please? What drives you nuts? (better to find out now)
Describe the corporate culture?
My advice is always do your homework.
1. Download the white papers and read them and take notes. Bring them with you to the interview for reference and for reading material while you wait even if you have read them.
2. Google your interviewer
3. Look up other people in the company on linkedin with similar titles or in the same department. Look at their background and tenure. Did they stay? Did they get promoted? What types of colleges did they go to and where! Very important especially in large metro areas where many people are transplants.
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack [...]
I also ask:
What the employee turnover is?
Is this a new position? if not..
How much time did the person who left give the organization?
Do people not care about the organization and want to get away? Or do people care and care about their work and stay as long as needed until they get hired.
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack If you are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. Read the job description and requirements carefully. Browse the web site to see how the organization presents itself. Search for news items and comments about the company on news sites and blogs. [...]
“Would you like to hear what I could do to really help your department?” What a condescending, cliched, circle jerk of a thing to say. If at the END of the interview you haven’t been asked or indirectly answered this question, something is grossly wrong. How you can help IS the job, telling them such is the JOB INTERVIEW.
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack (tags: job) [...]
[...] Sette domande da chiedere ad un colloquio di lavoro. Tu quali [...]
This is great!
Great questions; however, I already ask them. And the interesting part of it is is that THEY feel threatened when I ask them as opposed to being positive. However, I will agree on the questions being asked as it will separate the wheat from the chaff.
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack (tags: business career tips advice) [...]
It’s very important to ask questions such as these at a job interview. The one I’ve always found to impress the interviewer the most is to ask about training and advancement opportunities. It lets them know you’re serious about bettering yourself and the company.
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack — 7:45am via [...]
Question 2 is best saved for a later interview. It may be information you want to have for evaluating the job and the company but it is similar to asking a question about benefits, vacation and holidays. The interviewer is most likely interested in filling a job opening not in furthering your career. “Ambitious” and “thinking ahead” are qualites you need to get your next job but not this one.
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
No. 6 has seriously backfired on me before. I asked it, almost exactly like it’s phrased here, and the interviewer sat there dumbfounded for a moment. Then she responded: “Never, never ask that question again. If you don’t know how you measure up, and if you can’t tell me that yourself, then you have no business being here.”
Sounds to me like they responded that way because they were uncomfortable answering it. Maybe they shouldn’t be in that type of role. You could’ve responded something like, “I apologize if I didn’t ask that very well, however, the purpose of the question was to see how you feel I measure up. I know that I am a great fit for this position, but am interested in your opinion.”
Paul,
Sounds to me you couldn’t explain why you measured up and probably didn’t qualify so… how was she able to answer that question.
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [Lifehack] Tagged:careersinterviewsjob search [...]
Thanks Paul and commenters! I have an interview Monday, you are all on my weekend reading list.
I believe it made all the difference in how my interview went (I got the job). My interviewer actually looked really surprised I had asked anything,
I believe it made all the difference in how my interview went (I got the job). My interviewer actually looked really surprised I had asked anything,
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
I always ask if they press charges. That’s important to me.
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
[...] apologize for this post since I am sort of backing into this recommendation, but I found that the Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview was a great article posted at Lifehack. If you are looking, or thinking of looking for a new [...]
Ask them if they test for drugs. If they say yes, ask them if they test for PCP. If they say yes, roll your eyes and sigh dramatically.
“Ahh, yeah… You should probably know I had a poppy seed bagel this morning for breakfast.”
(One of my all time favorites right before I administer the pre-employment drug test!)
I personally like “Where’s the bathroom?” It shows your human side.
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
I’m thrilled to see that someone else interviews the interviewer. As an employee, it has always been important for me to make sure that I was as much of a fit for me as it is for them. I’ve walked on several job offers because I didn’t care for the answers I received.
I’ve learned to ask, “To whom will I report?”. It is shocking how many times I am interviewed by someone other than the direct manager. Since that relationship is important for me, I want to make sure that I can get along and trust that person during the interview process.
I also have learned to say at the end of the interview, “Great. Now, what are the next steps?”. It’s a bit of a Jedi-mind trick that secures your place in the role. An interview on his/her toes will respond, “You’ll come back for a second interview” (and then I’ll ask for a date and time as I take out a pen and datebook), or “we would like to see you present”, or “I would like to see you start this Monday at 10am.”.
Whether I’m doing corporate training, a public speaking gig, or selling Avon – these tricks work for me.
Paul – Excellent article that even I learnt from and had some additional comments on some of the questions. I have excerpted your article onto my blog (mentioned above) with some inline comments. Hope you will have a chance to go through and provide feedback
[...] Sloane has a good compilation of some questions on his post, which I am excerpting below with my comments [...]
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview Share and Enjoy: [...]
Spell check please.
Always prepare questions, but those that are not answered in the company’s website or those you have not discussed. Asking questions shows you are interested to know more about the company or the job.
[...] So here you go, 7 Questions to keep in mind when you score an interview. [...]
[...] A key to get the job is to ask great questions. Check this well written article: Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview. [...]
This is a tremendous help to me for future interviews! Thank you so much for the post and the following comments!!
[...] Posted by Sarah on July 17, 2009 Lots of people practice answering questions before an interview, but it’s good to prepare a few questions to ask as well. This article gives examples of 7 good questions to ask at your next interview. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview for some insight into questions that you can tailor to your next [...]
this is really useful, i can never think of anything to ask in interviews
[...] you asking the right questions in your interviews? Take some time out today to review these Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview (via [...]
[...] 7 great questions to ask your interviewer! Published July 24, 2009 Crazy Leave a Comment Check this article out – http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/seven-great-questions-to-ask-at-a-job-interview.html [...]
[...] 7 great questions to ask your interviewer! Published July 30, 2009 Crazy Leave a Comment Check this article out – http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/seven-great-questions-to-ask-at-a-job-interview.html [...]
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[...] be expected to undertake. It is easy to make assumptions and get the wrong impression of what the work would be so it is vital for both sides that there is clarity in what is expected of you. If the [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview – Stepcase Lifehack. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview : For the interview itself you should dress smartly and appropriately. It is important to have some questions prepared and here are a few that could really help. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview : For the interview itself you should dress smartly and appropriately. It is important to have some questions prepared and here are a few that could really help. [...]
It helps you to understand where the job might lead and what skills you might acquire.
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview : For the interview itself you should dress smartly and appropriately. It is important to have some questions prepared and here are a few that could really help. [...]
This list of the questions you should think over is not that original but still these questions are really nice to bear in them in mind when your job search is almost over and you are going yo the interview!
That is the ugliest stock photo of hands I have ever seen!!!
Those meaty paws!!! They look like they belong to George “the animal” Steel.
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview If you are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview If you are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview If you are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions To Ask at a Job Interview If you are going for an interview as a prospective employee then you should do some research. [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview (Paul Sloane) [...]
[...] on December 19: Here are 7 more questions that you would ask your interviewer, from lifehack.org. The questions are actually a bit more [...]
[...] Seven Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview 10 Answers You Should Know Before Your Job Interview How To Nail An Interview (20 Tips) “Why Should We Hire You” Interview Question and Answers 5 Things You MUST Do Before a Job Interview Master the “Why Hire Me” Story to Land a Job Interview Myths That Keep You From Landing the Job How to Ask a (Near) Stranger for a Favor After Years With an Employer, Jumping Back Into the Interview Process Five Tips for Kicking Ass at an Interview Know What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview 10 Job-Search Rules to Break This Minute [...]
lol hairy hands!
[...] employers, then let’s hear any other questions you’d suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [...]
5 Killer Questions to Ask at Your Job Interview…
Usually, the emphasis in job interview prep involves getting your answers ready for the toughest interview questions–and there’s no doubt that it’s a critical component. But you must remember that interviewing is a two-way street. In …
[...] Asking the right questions leads you to give the most impressive answers and creates a very successful environment for you to have a killer interview. [...]
[...] Asking the right questions leads you to give the most impressive answers and creates a very successful environment for you to have a killer interview. [...]
[...] Asking the right questions leads you to give the most impressive answers and creates a very successful environment for you to have a killer interview. [...]
[...] Lifehack – 7 Great Questions to Ask at a Job Interview While you won’t be the one asking all of the questions, it’s important to ask some to make [...]
[...] Asking the right questions leads you to give the most impressive answers and creates a very successful environment for you to have a killer interview. [...]
[...] Asking the right questions leads you to give the most impressive answers and creates a very successful environment for you to have a killer interview. Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/5-killer-questions-to-ask-in-your-medical-sales-job-interview-2611785.html“ Share and Enjoy: [...]
Really nice post! i think I have Experienced 4 Question of them! Any way i really like your Job! keep it up!
Resume Professional
why you are join our company
If you are going to ask the interviewer No. 7, you need to be well prepared and prove that you are capable of improving their business.
Addition to these question, I would like to add few closing questions which can be a critical decision whether you are selected to the next steps of the interview or we say “closing” the interview.
So how the right closing will get you the Job Offer? Check this video. http://careerconfidential.com/job-interview-tip-how-the-right-closing-will-get-you-the-job-offer/
Addition to these question, I would like to add few closing questions which can be a critical decision whether you are selected to the next steps of the interview or we say “closing” the interview.
So how the right closing will get you the Job Offer? Check this video. http://careerconfidential.com/job-interview-tip-how-the-right-closing-will-get-you-the-job-offer/
Addition to these question, I would like to add few closing questions which can be a critical decision whether you are selected to the next steps of the interview or we say “closing” the interview.
So how the right closing will get you the Job Offer? Check this video. http://careerconfidential.com/job-interview-tip-how-the-right-closing-will-get-you-the-job-offer/
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Absolutely a great list of questions. Thank you! I just finished
a book called “That’s a Great Question” by management consultant Greg
Bustin. In it, he poses more than 500 questions that top business
leaders use to help drive results and impact change at their
organizations. It’s been a huge help to me as I’ve advanced at my
company. Check it out at Bustin’s site http://www.bustin.com
Sorry, but you wouldn’t get the job if I were interviewing you and you asked any of these questions. It gives me the strong impression you haven’t done your homework and are therefore not interested in the organisation. Also you appear to be asking questions for the sake of it. You’d be better off saying “When do I start?”
you criticize but dont offer any other suggestions.
[...] probing questions – Many candidates are passive, so you will stand out with the right questions. Ask about day-to-day responsibilities and challenges the company faces so you can point out how [...]
WOW! I hesitate believing someone has quality information to offer when they state “drawing on what you have learnt”! Last time I looked, learnt is not a word! I am shocked! Also, the day-to-day responsibilities and criteria for successful candidate are typically set forth in the job announcement and position description. Most of these questions are things I would not consider asking so I will look somewhere else. Personally, I would never tell the interviewer what I could do for their department unless asked. Waste of time article!
#2 is always a great question to ask, chances are you actually want to know the answer, and the interview will be able to see your genuine interest in being promoted and furhtering yourself. The other questions in this article are great as well, just make sure to only ask genuine questions, the interviewer will might catch your lack of enthusiam if you only ask canned questions.