Your Questions

Rule # 647 – Always ensure that you have good questions for the interviewer.

Having questions for the interviewer gives them an opportunity to talk a little bit more about themselves, but equally as important, you have an opportunity to gather more information about the role you’re applying for, and the company you would be working for. You can ask any number of different types of questions, however, you will likely only have time to ask one or two, so make sure to ask the most effective questions. If you’ve been actively listening during the interview, then you the largest gaps in information you’ve gathered thus far.

This is your chance to show that you’ve done your homework on the company, the position, and that you’re a savvy candidate who actually knows that this is one of the most important parts of the interview. Saying “nope, that’s it, you have answered everything” only shows your interviewer that you either unprepared, not inquisitive or uninvested in the opportunity you are interviewing for. At the very least, use this time to gain more insight into the corporate culture.

The kinds of questions you might ask:

• About the corporate culture
• About the position
• About the interviewer

Different types of questions and suggests on how to deal with them:

• Tell me about yourself? Too many candidates give their autobiography.

• Why did you leave your last job? Express a desire for greater challenges, or growth opportunities.

• What is your greatest weakness? Many people bare their souls or “come clean”. Turn your weakness or fault into a positive, appealing trait.

• What are your strengths? Temper your ego. Give a succinct response without going overboard.

• Tell me about your proudest accomplishment at your current (or last) employer. Perhaps outline a successful project that you worked on, or a problem you helped solve.

• Describe how you work under tight pressure deadlines and give an example. Give the interviewer a sense of your work style, and provide a concrete example. 

• What two or three things are most important to you in your job? You can use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the role or culture. Ideally, your answer will illustrate why you are a good fit for the role.

• This is a very high-pressure job. Do you think you’re up for it? Be enthusiastic, but be honest. 

• Why do you want to leave your present job? Be honest, but be careful not to malign your current employer. Explain that you are looking for more opportunity, or growth potential.

For more information like this, consider joining the Executive Career Academy, powered by Vlaad and Company. This program runs over three days and fully explores best-practice themes, methods, and initiatives to use when transitioning into a superior career stream, re-entering the market, or simply finding a better career.