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7 Essential Questions to Ask During a Job Interview

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If you’re like most job seekers, when you’re invited to an interview for a job, you’re likely focused on what questions the employer is likely to ask you, and how you will answer them. But have you considered that the interview is also a time for you to ask questions?

Job interviews are not a one-way street. Yes, the employer wants to know if you’re a good fit for the company, but you’re also there to find out if the job is a good fit for you. The job interview offers you a golden opportunity to learn more about the company, the team, and the role at hand. So when you’re inevitably asked, “Do you have any questions for us?”, seize the moment. Here are seven critical questions that can help you make a lasting impression while gathering important information.

1. What does a typical day look like in this role?

Landing the job is not the end-all, be-all, here. Once you’ve landed the position, you need to know something about what your day-to-day life will look like in that job. Asking this question shows your interviewer that you’re serious about understanding what will be expected of you. It also gives you a chance to peek into your potential future, understand your daily tasks, and determine if this is the kind of work you see yourself doing.

2. How would you describe the company culture here?

Workplace culture can greatly influence your job satisfaction and career growth. By asking this question, you can get an idea of the work environment, team dynamics, and the company’s values. The interviewer will invariably tell you positive things about the company culture, but you can learn a lot by listening to how they answer the question. Do they stumble over their words? Do they avoid eye contact? Or do they answer confidently and enthusiastically? How does the answer make you feel? This can help you decide if this is an environment where you will thrive and feel comfortable.

3. What opportunities for professional development does the company offer?

Your interest in professional growth shows ambition and a vision for your future. This question helps you understand what kind of learning opportunities the company provides, whether it’s further training, conferences, or opportunities for promotion. Plus, it sends a message that you’re viewing this job as a long-term investment, not just a stepping stone.

4. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?

The people you work with can significantly impact your job satisfaction. This question not only shows that you’re a team player and are keen on forging strong professional relationships, but it also gives you a sense of the team dynamics. The response can help you gauge if these are people you can learn from, grow with, and look forward to working with.

5. What are the biggest challenges facing the company/department right now?

This question shows that you’re not just interested in the good, but also ready to tackle the bad and the ugly. It demonstrates your problem-solving mindset and readiness to contribute positively to the company. Plus, it gives you a realistic view of the current challenges you might face in your role and how you might be helpful in providing solutions.

6. How do you measure success in this position?

Understanding how performance is measured can help you hit the ground running from day one. This question shows your dedication to doing well and your focus on meeting and exceeding expectations. It also helps you understand what specific achievements or milestones the company values.

7. What are the next steps in the interview process?

Ending the interview with this question shows that you’re eager to progress in the selection process. It sets clear expectations for follow-up and demonstrates your serious interest in the role.

Remember, an interview is not just about answering questions—it’s about asking the right ones too. By posing these questions, you encourage your potential employer to share valuable insights about the company culture, job role, and growth opportunities. You’ll also present yourself as a professional, someone who has confidence in your abilities and has a desire to make a positive difference in the company.

Of course, there’s a lot more to do to prepare for a job interview (not the least of which is landing the interview!), so if you’re looking for some guidance in finding the right job openings for you, I’m here to help. Simply schedule a complimentary initial consultation for yourself on my calendar here.

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Five Ways to Maximize Your Chances of Interview Success

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So you’ve applied for a slew of jobs, sent out a bunch of resumes, and now a prospective employer has called you for an interview. You may feel a mix of emotions ranging from excitement to panic, all in the same moment. An interview is a perfect opportunity for you and the employer to assess if you are right for each other. On the other hand, there’s a lot riding on those few minutes you spend with the interviewer. The more prepared you are going into the interview, the better your chances of success. Here are five tips to help you nail it.

1. Research the Company and Position

The first thing you need to do is effectively become an expert on the company you’re applying to. Learn about the industry, company history, organizational culture and interview process they use with prospective employees. Read through their website thoroughly and find out all you can about the day-to-day workings of the company. This will give you a sense of what is expected of you, what the company looks for in its employees, and how the interview is likely to be structured.

Next, find out who your potential interviewer is and research them, too, so when you meet them, you’ll know something about their background and expertise. You should also keep an eye on their social media profiles so that you’re aware of any news they happen to post. The more informed you are about the company, position, and interviewer, the more confidently you can approach the interview itself.

2. Prepare Answers to Common Interview Questions

If you’ve done job interviews recently, you probably already know some of the most common questions you could be asked. For example:

“What are your greatest strengths?”

“What is your greatest weakness?”

“What is your ideal work environment?”

“What accomplishments are you most proud of?”

“Tell us about a time when you set a goal and reached it.”

Take some time to think out some clear, detailed answers to these and other common questions. For the best impact, think about the company itself, as well as the position you’re applying for, and align your answers with that company and position. For example, if you’re asked, “How would you respond to this-and-such situation?”, assume they’re talking about their own company and answer the question in that context. When answering questions, provide examples about how your work experience aligns with the company’s needs.

Practice answering these questions in the mirror or with a friend/coach until they come out naturally and don’t sound rehearsed. You should also be prepared for interviewer follow-ups such as “How do you handle frustration?” or “Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for an employer.” The more prepared you are with thoughtful answers, the better chance you’ll have of showing how well you would fit into the company culture. (Click here for a list of some common interview questions.)

3. Be Respectful of Their Time

Given the current job market, chances are you aren’t the only one interviewing for this position–and even if the employer intends to wait until everyone has an interview before hiring someone, they’re still making up their minds as they go. Timeliness is part of your all-important first impression. If you’re having an in-person interview, be on time (meaning at least 10 minutes early). If you’re interviewing remotely by Zoom or Skype, be ready to go at the scheduled interview time. Doing so shows respect for the interviewer’s time and demonstrates self-discipline and thoroughness–all of which are highly desirable qualities in an employee.

4. Frame Yourself as an Asset

Do you know why I had you do all that research on the company in the first tip above? So you could identify the company’s needs, learn about the position they’re filling, and position yourself as the perfect fit for that position based on your prior experience. (That’s also why I said to align your answers to interview questions around the company and the position.) Be modest, but confident. Your skills and expertise are what this company needs, so every time you have the opportunity to speak, try to speak specifically to the company’s needs and how you can help. By doing this, you’re making the conversation about them, not about you or your need for a job. The more they can visualize you in that position, the more likely they are to make an offer. So make sure they see you that way.

5. Prepare Five Points

One last “secret weapon” I like to recommend to my clients when prepping for an interview: identify five points you want to make—points that demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate for the job you’re seeking. Keep these points in mind as you go through the interview and look for opportunities to say them. If the interview questions don’t give you an opportunity, then save them for the end when you’ll get the inevitable question, “Is there anything else you’d like to add?” Sharing these five points ensures that you don’t leave anything unsaid that you feel you “should have said,” and you can walk out of the interview confident that you gave your best effort.

If you want more one-on-one help prepping for that next job, I’m here as always. Shoot me an email at terrylynn@giraffesconsulting.com and let’s set you up with a free 30-minute consultation.

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Step One in Job Search Success: Show Up

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I’ve got some good news for job seekers, but it comes with a twist of irony…

Would you like to know how to boost your chances of beating out your competitors for a job opening by about 50 percent?

Just show up for the interview.

No kidding.

Just. Show. Up.

Apparently, this is a thing now. According to a recent article in US News and World Report, the practice of “ghosting” has now extended beyond the dating scene into the job world. Some businesses are reporting that about 50 percent of their job applicants simply don’t show up for their job interview—or even worse, they don’t show up for work after being offered the job.

While this news seems unbelievable, it also means that just by the act of going on the interview, you will have beaten out half of your competitors for the position you’re looking for.

Why Is This Happening?

Why is job ghosting becoming more common in the work force? Some experts attribute it, ironically, to a strong job market. Low unemployment and plenty of job openings means prospective employees often have more of an ability to cherry-pick from a number of job offers. Dawn Fay, a district president for the Robert Half staffing firm, explains this phenomenon to USA Today: “You’re seeing job candidates with more options. It’s definitely influencing their behavior.”

However, being a bit more “old school” on this matter as a former HR executive, I have a different take on it. While I see it as a negative trend, obviously, I also see it as an opportunity for the more serious job seeker (like my clients) to make a positive impression by moving in the opposite direction. If you act like you actually care about the firm—starting by showing up, and showing up on time—even if you don’t land that particular job, the interviewer is more likely to remember you in the event of another job opening, or sometimes even to refer you someplace else.

Just for the Record…Don’t Ghost. Ever.

Just because job ghosting has become common, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t turn around and bite you if you do it. Employers still consider this behavior to be very disrespectful and rude, and they have a habit of remembering when someone just doesn’t bother. Not only could it prevent you from ever working at that company or firm, it could fare badly for you for future job searches as well. The business world is smaller than you think. You never know when you might face another interview with that very same person at another firm, or whom they might have told. That one act of irresponsibility could have serious repercussions for your professional career. Trust me, it’s not worth it. If you can’t make an interview or you take another job, take a couple of moments to let the other employer know.