It’s an interview rule to take time prior to an interview to research a company and come up with a few questions to ask the interviewers. Of course companies want to see how much effort you took into knowing the organization’s background, products and/or services, and overall structure. However, there is some information that is just not accessible via the company website or Google and that’s the information you should also be focusing on.
As a potential employer, interviewers want to make sure they are hiring curious, intelligent, and motivated individuals. Take the time in an interview to display your level of curiosity, desire to know as much information as possible, and how interested you are in the opportunity. Below is a list of some valuable and resourceful questions to ask your interviewer.
- What are the most important qualities for someone to excel and be successful in this role?
It’s important to hear the opinion of the employer on what they’re looking for in a candidate. They might not tell you this upfront, so dig in.
- What do the first 3 months, 6 months, or year look like for this role?
It’s key to have a good understanding of the initial expectations of this position. A job description can be very vague, so ask further questions on the short term.
- Can you describe the culture of the organization and dynamic of the team?
An employer can tell you all the perks of an organization, but it’s crucial to dig deeper into the dynamic and culture characteristics. You might realize it’s not a good fit or are not comfortable with how the team operates.
- What is the company’s vision? Where do you see the company heading in the upcoming 5 years?
If you consider yourself a long time employee, it’s important to see the long term goals/visions of an organization you’re going to join. This question will also prove to the interviewer(s) that you are serious about contributing to success and sustainability of the company.
Of course, these are not the only variations of questions you can/should ask. Be creative, and always think about the information that only a current employer would be able to tell you. Anyone can take some time to Google information!
