There’s no doubt about it: some job interviews are more equal than others. The difference lies in how each interview is conducted, which can make all the difference to your success or failure says Martin Polanco.
Here are our top five questions (and warning signs) to ask during an interview process to make sure you get what you came for – aka a job offer that’s perfect for you!
1) “What is the company culture?”
Employees who work with company cultures they enjoy are happier and tend to stick around longer. A strong company culture attracts top talent since workers want to be where their skills will be appreciated and rewarded. If your interviewer has much to say on this subject, the job is worth considering. But if your interviewer struggles to answer this question, investigate further – it may indicate a company struggling to define its culture says Martin Polanco.
2) “What do you enjoy most about working for this company?”
Any answer you get will tell you a lot about what matters most at that particular organization. This can be a great way to gain insight into an employer’s values and whether those align with yours. If there are some things mentioned repeatedly from different employees, new hires have a much better chance of being happy on the job. If potential new co-workers all seem really passionate about the same thing(s), ask them why as part of your conversation as well as during your interview! You could learn something very interesting just by listening!
3) “What is the work culture?”
You’ll want to know if there’s a team dynamic or whether it’s more of a “sink or swim” environment. If you’re looking for a position where the emphasis is on collaboration, there are ways to ask this question without coming off as someone who can’t stand being alone. One example might be asking about the company’s hiring process. You could also ask what your interviewer would do in your situation or what kind of training and on boarding new hires get. This will provide clues about how much support you’ll receive while learning on the job.
4) “How do employees grow their skills here?”
The answers will give an indication of how many opportunities you’ll have to grow and advance your skills. If the interviewer becomes visibly excited, especially if their voice becomes more animated and they lean forward in their chair, this is a great sign!
5) “How would I be evaluated after 90 days on the job?”
In many cases, this question will lead to answers that provide insight into whether or not it will become clear that your goals aren’t aligned with those of the company within the first three months. Sometimes a potential employer may say everyone receives formal feedback at 90 days. But if they can’t answer with detail about how you’d be assessed during the hiring process, there’s a good chance it isn’t something they’ve given much thought at all or there are some flaws in how people are evaluated. If the interviewer balks at this question, it’s probably best to ask why they seem uncomfortable with the inquiry. If they insist on not answering, that could be a warning sign in itself!
Alternative Questions to Ask During the Job Interview Process
When you’re asked an open-ended question like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” there’s really no wrong answer in most cases. But you can get more information about what will happen after you’ve started working for your interviewer by asking one of the following three questions:
“What is the next step in the hiring process?” or “How many interviews are I expected to have before I get an offer?”
This will tell how many people are involved in the interview process and how much time you should expect to spend before hearing if you’ve got the job.
“What does success at this company look like?” or “What is your ideal candidate like?”
This will give you greater insight into what the future holds for someone who gets hired for your position, which may include promotions says Martin Polanco. Learning about these opportunities can tell you whether or not it’s worth investing your time in an employer that won’t benefit your long-term career goals. It’s also possible that by learning about the types of employees who are most successful at their company, you’ll gain valuable information on how to present yourself as a good fit. The more people figure out how they best work together, the better!
Conclusion:
When you’re interviewing for a job, it’s important to think less about asking the right questions and more about what your potential employer will learn through your questions. The best way to prepare is by thinking of what you most value in an employer and how you can use this information to tell if their company is or isn’t a good fit for you.
