Interviews are hard no matter what stage of your career you’re in. Whether you’re an entry level candidate or a senior level, interviews can invoke nervousness and bring out your greatest insecurities. It’s not easy to talk about yourself for 30+ minutes to a stranger when your career is balancing in front you. When the interviewer asks if there’s any questions you’d like to ask them, the answer is always yes. There’s one specific interview question I always ask, and you should too.
I always ask this two part question: So, why do you love working here? and What’s your favorite part of your job? This question allows you to listen rather than talk about yourself. Typically the interviewer will be passionate about their current role and will have a lot to say which is not only beneficial for you to learn about the personality of your potential future coworkers, but also give you some time to take a breather. Although the main purpose of an interview is for the interviewer to find out if you’re an ideal candidate, it’s also important to make sure that it’s the right company for you.
If the interviewer will be your direct coworker or the person you will be reporting to, it’s a great way to learn what makes them tick, what they’re passionate about, and the highlights of their day-to-day job.
It’s a good way to find a common connection that can open up a conversation rather than having the typical ask and answer interview style. If they really like their job because they get to focus on something that you’re passionate about, that gives you the opportunity to bond, and will make you a memorable candidate.
What question do you always ask in an interview? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @TheDavisCos!
