Picture this: you have arrived at the end of a job interview that has gone very well and you are confident that you will get the job. The recruiter asks if you have any questions for him before wrapping up the interview and you answer that nothing comes to mind. What a mistake! Here are some things you can ask in order to impress the employer and show them that you are truly interested in the job.
What are your expectations?
By asking this question, you demonstrate that not only are you prepared to take on the job, but you are dedicated to doing it well in order to meet the company's expectations. It is also a great opportunity to learn more about what will be expected of you if you get the job, in order to get off to the right start. Another way to put the question would be to ask the recruiter about his idea of success. That will allow you to discover how you can give them what they need without any missteps.
What are the main objectives in this job?
You can ask the recruiter what a typical day on the job involves in order to get a better sense of the tasks you will be expected to perform on a daily basis. And in order to find out what things will really look like when you hit the ground running, ask the recruiter what is at the top of the list of things to do when you get started. By finding out the key short and medium-term tasks, you will be in a better position to tell whether or not this job is for you. If it is, you will have taken advantage of a great opportunity to show the recruiter how seriously you take the job.
What are the most important skills for this position?
Along the same lines as the previous questions, this will allow you to determine if you have what it takes to tackle the job. It is also a chance for you to find out about the qualities that are appreciated at the company. If the recruiter describes someone with strong public speaking skills and a natural talent for sales, while you are fairly reserved and would probably have a hard time selling a DVD to a film buff, you will know right away that the job is probably not for you.
How soon do you expect to make your decision?
Maybe you wouldn't feel comfortable asking this question. Ask it anyway! It's the only way to find out the next steps in the recruitment process. It will give you a good idea of whether or not you may be asked to do a second interview. What's more, if they tell you that you can expect an answer within two weeks and you still haven't heard from them a month later, you can either call to check where things are at or simply move onward and upward if you have found a job that suits you better in the meanwhile.
Do you have any hesitations about me as an applicant?
Let's say you absolutely want this job and do not want to miss out on the opportunity to get it. Don't hesitate to ask the employer if he has any doubts about you. That will allow you to clarify any points that might not have been clear, answer any additional questions he might have, and prove that his fears are unfounded and that you are perfect for the job. By asking this question, you also demonstrate that you can take criticism and that you have a desire to continue to learn and improve. And in the event that it's really not going to work out, you will know what to expect and won't waste any time getting your hopes up.
What management style do you subscribe to?
Wouldn't you like to improve your chances of avoiding a bad boss? Asking him about his idea of effective communication or how he manages employer-employee relations will allow you to quickly gauge whether or not it's a good fit, personality-wise. It's also a good way to get a quick idea of what works and what you should avoid with your future boss. You will also learn important information about their corporate culture and figure out if your values match those of your potential superior.
What do you like about working for this company?
If the person interviewing you has to think a little too long before answering this question, it should set off alarm bells. On the other hand, if he is passionate and can quickly give you multiple reasons why he is happy to get up each morning to go to work, you know there is a good chance you will enjoy working there too.
Armed with these questions, you can walk into your next interview fully prepared, because even worse than not asking any questions would be to ask one that has already been addressed during the interview! And if you need help in your job search, consider the experts at Technogénie.
