What to Ask the Interviewer
A job interview will quickly settle into an interrogation or monologue unless you ask some high-quality questions of your own. Candidate questions are vital to any successful interview because they create dialogue and help you understand the company and the position’s responsibilities.
The questions you ask also show your grasp of fundamental issues, reveal your ability to probe beyond the superficial, and challenge the employer to show his or her own depth of knowledge and commitment to the job.
Your questions should always be slanted so that you show empathy, interest and understanding of the employer’s needs. After all, you’re interviewing because the company has a job that needs to be done.
The following questions have proven very effective in generating a productive interview:
- What’s the most important issue facing the company (or department)?
- How can I help you accomplish this objective?
- How long has it been since you first identified this need?
- How long have you been trying to correct it?
- Have you tried using your present staff to get the job done? If so, what was the result?
- Is there any particular skill or attitude you feel is critical to getting the job done?
- Is there a certain aspect of my background you’d like to exploit to help accomplish your objectives?
Questions like these will not only give you a sense of the company’s goals and priorities but also show the interviewer your concern for satisfying the company’s objectives.