(Infographic) 10 Discerning Questions to Ask During Your Job Interview
(Infographic) 10 Discerning Questions to Ask During Your Job Interview
Most of us spend so much time and energy preparing answers for the interviewer’s questions that it’s easy to forget how equally important it is for us to ask the right questions. The interview is your opportunity to evaluate the company as much as it is the interviewer’s to evaluate your suitability for the position. Posing smart and thoughtful questions also tells the interviewer that you’re a discerning candidate who considers a variety of factors besides the obvious financial aspects.
It goes without saying that pay-related questions should be reserved for the final interview stage, or negotiated upon receiving a firm employment offer. During the initial stages of the interview process, the candidate’s questions should focus on issues such as the company culture, values and approach, team dynamics and career development opportunities.
10 Discerning Questions to Ask During Your Job Interview
Company Culture | Why This Is Important |
| If the company’s expectations are a complete contrast to yours, this might not be the right organisation for you. |
2. How would you describe this company’s work culture? | Ensuring that you share compatible work ethics and goals with the company is essential for both parties. If you don’t enjoy teamwork for example, you might struggle to fit in in a company where team spirit and open collaborations are valued. |
3. What is the leadership style in this company? | Knowing what to expect from the management in advance helps you understand how the company operates and keeps your expectations in check. |
4. What are the values you hold employees accountable to? | This allows you to decide whether you are a good fit with the company, as well as how aligned the company’s values are with yours. |
Team-specific Issues | Why do you need to ask |
5. What are some of the issues in the team that need to be worked on? | Knowing this allows you to propose practical suggestions and ideas to improve the team performance and productivity. |
6. In what way can I contribute best to the team? | Knowing what’s expected of you removes the guesswork so you can focus on delivering results from day 1. |
Goals (Employer & Employee) | Why do you need to ask |
7. Is there a process in place to ensure ongoing career development for employees?
| It’s important to know whether the company takes its employees’ career growth seriously, or whether it’s an afterthought. |
8. What are the company’s short-term and long-term goals? | This will tell you what the company’s priorities are, and their plans for the immediate and distant future. |
Employee Retention | Why do you need to ask |
9. What would you say are the key benefits of working for this company?
| Getting personal insights from the interviewer is always useful, if they are open enough to share candid views on the company perks. |
10. What is the average tenure for most employees in this company? | The answer to this will tell you how loyal the employees are, which often says a lot about the management of a company. |
Remember that the interview goes both ways; you’re not the only one being evaluated. The company needs to prove their worth as an employer too. So think long and hard about the kind of employer you wish to work for, and go prepared. Good luck!
