What questions to ask an interviewer?

Posted on Monday, March 4, 2019 by Anne Jagger RecruitmentNo comments

 

One of the things that is always forgotten in interview prep is the need for questions to ask the interviewer about the company or themselves. We’ve all been there before. It may seem like it is one of those aspects of the process that we don’t need to spend any thought on.

 

Tell me something about yourself.

 

Turning the tables on the interviewer is a bold move but we are naturally curious people and entering a room with a stranger, it is a strange thing that we do not get to interrogate our interrogator a little.

 

To perform at the highest standards in this role, what sort of decision-making will I be responsible for?

 

Getting down to the nitty-gritty of the job is why you are in the interview in the first place yet how often can we cut through and get to the point? Some people may be intimidated in asking such a question but no company is the same and their cultures vary.

 

What is the company’s greatest weakness?

 

If you can be asked to look inside and admit your faults, why not ask about the things that aren’t quite working in the company you are interested in. This is also a great opportunity to offer the solution to their problem.

 

How would you describe the culture of the company?

 

You need to know as much about the company before you choose to take the role so why not enquire about the culture. You save a lot of time in the long-run if you find you don’t think you would be a good fit for the role.

 

Why is the person I would be replacing, leaving?

 

It is a fair question. You may get a standard answer but you may get a clue as to what the company is like and which kind of person would suit the role best.

 

Tell me a difficult work situation I will be expected to handle relatively regularly.

 

Sometimes in interviews the day-to-day facts of the role get lost as the interviewer asks you what kind of animal you think you are like. If they offer you the role and you accept, knowing as much about expectations they have of you, as soon as possible, stands you in good stead.

 

Where do you see the company in ten years?

 

Once again, finding out about the company and the expectations are so helpful. If you are looking to stay and grow within a company, you need to know where the company is going and where you will grow with it.

 

Remember: whatever you do, don’t say “No, I can’t think of anything”.

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