In order to excel in any job interview, you need to know how to answer questions as well as ask them. If you know what to ask too, you can avoid taking a job you end up disliking. That means learning as much as you can about the workplace environment, co-workers, and your boss. Not only should the employer obtain details about you, you should be able to source information about the company where you believe you want to work.
The primary topics covered in this article include the following:
Also, you have to keep this in mind – if you do not ask question, you, yourself, will not appear to be interested in the job. So, an interview should represent the type of discourse where both parties benefit from the exchange. By initiating the conversation with some inquiries of your own, you will make the following kind of impact.
Therefore, asking a question is always helpful – that is, as long as you know what to ask. Therefore, it is important not to ask “yes” and “no” type questions, or interrogatives that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” So, you want to ask open-ended type questions. That, way you can open up the dialogue and make the conversation more amiable for both you and the employer. Ask a follow-on question when you receive an answer. That way, you can turn the interview into a type of discussion.
Once you have met the interviewer or your employer and answered some of his or her questions, you may want to ask some of the following questions:
If the interviewer will be your boss, you may want to ask him or her about their management style. The aforementioned questions are helpful to ask then if you are meeting an interviewer for the first time. If you return for a second interview with the same person, it is not necessary or smart to ask him or her the same questions. If you do, you may as well look elsewhere for a job.
Once you become acquainted with the interviewer, you can pose some questions that are related to the job itself. Narrow down your selection to questions that will help you determine if you will like the job and be able to do well at the work. For example, you may want to ask the following:
If you ask questions about the company, don’t make inquiries that can easily be answered on the employer’s website or through a Google search. However, you can ask the following questions without too much worry.
Questions reserved for the end of an interview might include the following:
After your interview, make sure you send a thank-you note. By thanking the interviewer, you are showing you have good follow-through as well as professional courtesy. It also underscores your interest in the position. You can also include any information that you overlooked in the interview when you write a thank-you. E-mailing a thank-you also shows your skill in written communications. When you ask questions and show this kind of business decorum, you will gain more than you will lose both personally and professionally.
So, what questions do you think you could add to the above lists of questions? What kind of jobs do you think would encourage you to ask more questions?