At the end of most interviews, there’s a chance for you (the potential employee) to ask them (the potential employers) questions. The kinds of questions you ask tell the interviewers a lot about you, and this is also a good opportunity to learn more about them and the company. Therefore, it’s important to make these questions count — ask the questions interviewers actually want you to ask. Try throwing in some of these 10 questions to make yourself a standout candidate:
1. What’s a regular day at the office?
If you’re looking to work somewhere, it’s good to know the typical goings-on. What time people come in and what time people leave, what days of the week usually have meetings, if Friday is casual or not. These are the kinds of things that you’ll want to know about. For your interviewers, this shows an interest in company culture, which makes a great impression.
2. Why did you choose to work here?
Again, this is a great way to show interest, but this time it’s more personal. By directly asking the interviewer why she chose to work at that company, you’re forcing her to talk about herself, and people love talking about themselves. It’s human nature. By asking this question, you’re making a more personal connection with the interviewer, which means you might be a more memorable candidate.
3. How has this role changed?
This is a great question to ask because it might give you a glimpse of how much change the company typically goes though, as well as whether you’ll be in a position that allows you to grow within the company.
4. How can I add value?
Potential employers love to hear you ask this because it shows that you’re thinking about what you can do for the company as a whole. It shows that you’re a team player and that you’re interested in doing your part to make the organization successful.
5. What is your business model?
Like many of these questions, this shows that you’re interested in the way the company operates. This indicates to your interviewers that you understand various business models and that you’re interested in hearing about the different aspects of that particular company’s model.
6. What’s an example of something I’d learn?
Jobs aren’t all about walking in with all the tools you need to succeed — sometimes, it’s necessary to learn new skills while on the job. Ask your interviewers what you might be required to learn to do your job well. It gives you an idea of what to expect, and it gives them an indication that you’re willing to grow.
7. What have others done to succeed?
This is a big one because this question can only be answered using real scenarios. Therefore, the answer to this question can give you a really good idea of what you might be doing at this job and what others around you might be working on, as well.
8. What are some of the more difficult aspects of this position?
You’re going to want to know what you’re getting into, so make sure you’re told what exactly is expected of the person filling this role. With the right enthusiasm, this question makes it seem like you’re excited to tackle any challenges that might arise, which the interviewers will appreciate.
9. Do you see any gaps in my qualifications?
This demonstrates that you’re comfortable talking about any potential weak points on your resume. It also might give you valuable insight into the kinds of things you should be doing if you want to land a job like this one.
10. Who would I be directly working with?
This question lets you get a taste for your role within the company. Who you’re working with dictates much of your experience at a job, so make sure you like the answer before you sign up.
Featured photo credit: Steven via flickr.com
