An interview with a recruiter is a beneficial conversation. The company is looking for a good fit, and you are looking for a place to work comfortably. And usually, when at the end of the conversation you hear, “Do you have any questions for me?” it can get you off guard.It is easy to miss something important, and then certain things can pop up right in the workflow. It leaves you puzzled, disappointed, and full of regrets that you haven’t used the opportunity to clarify certain things during the interview.
Moreover, the employer waits for your questions, as they can show your level of competence. It’s also the best indicator of how interested, engaged, and enthusiastic you are. A motivated employee who knows the limits of his responsibility is a goldmine.
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Web feed is spangled with advice on what to ask and what better not to say when talking to your potential hirer. Gather it all – and you’ll have a full SAT to pass! But why take the trouble, when all the most necessary information can be got just by few inquiries?
Here are 10 questions that will let you find out key aspects of the job and leave a good impression.
As a rule, key demands are put into a job description you read when applying for a position. However, every work has its specificity and pitfalls. Sometimes challenges you may face are not so obvious. It is better to talk through your responsibilities and what is expected from you before the mismatch happens. It will help you realize if this job is what you truly want and have the necessary skills to perform. At this point, try to define the scale of responsibility and compare it to the offered benefits.
Each company has its own way to evaluate employee performance efficiency. You can focus on one particular part of work when your manager uses totally different criteria to measure your success. That’s why it is better to find it out and get some perspective before push comes to shove. Furthermore, knowing this, you can decide if your values match and see if you can be considered for promotion.
The answer will let you clearly understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate and define if you fit the position: which of your professional skills match the demand and what has to be learned or improved. If the company’s expectations are too high, it may be a sign to think twice. Sometimes, it is better to leave than to break your back working.
On the other hand, this question gives an opportunity to “sell” yourself and prove that you are exactly what the company needs.
Just like recruiters ask, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
You can enquire what objectives are set by a company. Principles of corporate thinking are the point of great importance. Employers make many candidates eager to be a part of a team and share its goals. Knowing the direction, you can decide if you want to go the same way.
The answer will provide you with a better understanding of the company’s attitude towards employees and give the perspective of its corporate culture from the inside. You can find out what other team members appreciate most and also compare if it matches your values.
Besides, this way you can create some kind of fellowship with the interviewer.
If career development is important for you, it is better to clarify this point at the beginning.
First of all, answer to yourself which opportunities are important for you – paid vocational training, corporate classes, mentorship, career advancement. Write down your list of expectations and then see what the company offers. Pay attention to what is needed to reach the top of the corporate ladder. It can be a mandatory certification or a personal development plan including certain stages which are then reviewed to make a decision.
Before you start working, try to get some information about your future team and the company’s hierarchy. That way, it would be easier for you to understand how inner communication is operating, who you can ask for advice, and what kind of subordination is there.
Knowing what skills and personal features the company recognizes as valuable, you can get the idea of the management approach. Such a question can also be considered a sign of your serious intentions and long-term plans regarding the company. It can naturally benefit you.
On the one hand, this question shows your interest in a vacancy, on the other – it helps to imagine your everyday work life. You should know if the corporate culture is suitable for you or not. Find out how formal communication is going to be. What are the corporate values and traditions, how flexible the management is, and how do leads interact with teams. You can also clarify the schedule and dress code.
It’s important to know what is going to be after the interview. If there are more selection rounds, then you should know about it. If there are no more steps,ask when to expect the decision or how much time you have to make yours. It will make the process of waiting less pressing for both parties.