5 Types of Questions That Will Knock the Socks Off Your Interviewer

Post by:The Reserves Network

You’re coursing through question after question in your interview feeling like you’re nailing each one and then the ball drops: “Do you have any questions for me?” The “me” is always emphatic and the silence is always palpable. “Nope, I’m good!” is a standard response and only a one-off from incomprehensible stammering. You never feel quite prepared for this end-all and without questions of your own, the interview ends on a flat note. Never hear the crickets chirp at the end of an otherwise-dynamic interview again by choosing from these essential questions to ask your interviewer.

  1. Ask about the role.

In order to ensure that you’re a good fit, it’s important to know exactly what you’re trying to fit into. You’ve read the posting and the hiring manager has given you a rundown of the basics but now, it’s time to elaborate.

“Can you tell me what a typical day looks like for the person in this role?”
“What types of responsibilities will this role incur that were not mentioned in posting?”
“Does this position inherently fill in for another when someone is absent?”
“What does the training and onboarding process look like for the individual hired?”

Don’t focus on benefits or anything too self-serving. Take this as an opportunity to evaluate fit, not flair.

  1. Ask about the company.

You’ve done some research. You looked at the company’s website, LinkedIn, social media profiles, and any other newsworthy bits you could find. If you know people in their network, you’ve asked around. The posting and the interviewer have both probably mentioned other company fast-facts. Now, it’s time to dig in.

“Where does the organization as a whole intend to be in five years?”
“Are there any big recent developments or changes I should be aware of?”
“Why does the company need to fill this role; how would I serve the overall mission if hired?”
“How does the company support continuing education and growth?”
“What are the company’s policies or views on work conditions/atmosphere?”

  1. Ask about the team.

In a full-time role, you will spend 40 hours per week with these people, plus extra for happy hour, networking events, or rush deadlines. If you wouldn’t jibe, you may find the disconnect distracting if not impeding toward your work. Investigate the team like this.

“Who are the key players on the team for this role?”
“Does this role manage any other team members directly?” or if you know that it does “What management styles have proven effective for this team?”
“What is the nature of team meetings or collaborative events in the office?”
“Are there any remote teams, subcontractors, or off-shore annex teams to work with?”
“How will this role serve the team, i.e. ‘what position would I play?’”

  1. Ask about the interviewer.

Without schmoozing, you can easily develop a connection with your interviewer whether they are an HR professional with no further connection to the team at hand or the direct supervisor to the role being discussed. Asking personal questions is a fast-pass to rejection but genuine and appropriate intrigue is rarely forgotten. Try these.

“In your term with the company, what has been the biggest triumph or milestone for the organization? How was it celebrated?”
“Do you love working here? What do you love about it?”
“Where do you see yourself going in this company – what makes you want to stay?

  1. Ask about the process.

It is always appropriate to ask questions to better understand what to expect moving forward in the recruitment cycle. It is also okay to ask if there is anything else the interviewer would like to see in order to support your candidacy. Logistics are never taboo.

There is no need to prepare 20+ questions for your interviewer and in fact, less is more. Choose from these or craft your own but be sure they haven’t already been answered or couldn’t be researched at home – ask for insider info and make good use of the final countdown!

To get more tips for your next interview and bagging the job of your dreams, put your trust in the experts at TRN – the experienced representatives of talent like yours. Contact us today to get connected with your next opportunity.