5 Tips for Asking Questions During the Interview Process
Although it’s nothing new, I’ve been extremely bothered lately by the quality of questions candidates ask during the interview process. Most often, their questions indicate the lack of research conducted prior to speaking with me–a surefire way to entice me to make the offer to another candidate.
An interview is a two-way street–you’re evaluating me and my company just like I’m evaluating you. If you don’t ask thoughtful questions, how are you supposed to accomplish this goal?
A few tips to get you thinking:
- If you can find it on the Internet, you shouldn’t be asking it. Regardless of whether the position is an unpaid internship or salaried entry-level job, you need to do your homework. I have high expectations of candidates, and so do other hiring managers. Please don’t ask me something you can easily find on your own.
- Don’t ask about the typical day. I just hate these questions. First of all, very few positions have a “typical” day. Second, did you read the job description that included the responsibilities? While there will certainly be “other duties as assigned,” most of your tasks will come from that list. This is a wasted question!
- Culture rules. As a hiring manager, I need to find a candidate who fits well with my organization’s culture. As a candidate, you should be seeking the same thing. So, ask me how I would describe our culture in three words, how employees typically interact with each other and their supervisors, etc. Show a strong interest in cultural fit.
- Micro-manager or hands-off? You’ve already asked about the organization’s culture, but what about my management style? Your relationship to your supervisor is an important one, so don’t forget to ask how you will interact on a regular basis.
- Think about the future. What are my organization’s plans for the future as a whole or specific to a certain product/service? A question like this serves several purposes. First, it gives you a glimpse into where our organization is headed. Second, it lets me know you’re thinking long-term–always a good thing!
What other questions do you recommend asking (or not asking) during the interview process and why?
Abby
Hi Heather. These are good tips. As someone who’s searching for an entry-level job/internship, I disagree with the “don’t ask about the typical day.”
Yes, you can usually find the list of responsibilities on the job posting, but a lot of the time you can get a much better picture of what you’ll be doing by asking. Maybe they mentioned eight duties in the posting but you’ll really only be focusing on two of those. Or maybe there is an upcoming event that most of your work will revolve around (especially true for an internship).
I’ve found that some job postings give the wrong impression of the actual job responsibilities and you can get a much better feel for the position if you ask.
@abschoff
Posted 11-9-2009
Heather R. Huhman
Abby,
The other reason not to ask about a typical day is because there usually isn’t a typical day! You’re right, though, about job postings often lacking necessary detail. Perhaps the solution is to re-frame the question — “In addition to what’s already included in the position description, what other duties can I expect to perform?”
I think the question “How would you describe the typical day?” just shows very little thought. But again, re-framing the question to communicate your current understanding of the position would be better.
Appreciate your feedback!
Heather
Posted 11-9-2009