Though many people become very nervous about how to answer any questions an interviewer might have for them in a job interview, they forget that they're also telling the interviewer a lot about themselves by the questions they're asking. Where interviewers use questions to have leverage in the conversation it's also important to express yourself with your questions. A thoughtful question tells the interviewer what it is important to you and could be just what you need to stand out from the other applicants. Here are some questions that may help give the interview a look into your frame of mind:
1. What would be my daily responsibilities in this position?
- Asking this question not gives you additional information about the job, but also tells the interviewer that you're already starting to put yourself into the mindset of a person with this position. This forces the interviewer to envision you in this role in order to answer the question.
2. Has this position been newly created to fill a need within the company?
- Not only does the answer to this question let you know if there is already a predetermined schedule and set of responsibilities for this position, but the question says that you're also thinking outside of your own role/gain and thinking about the company.
3. If you'd be replacing someone, you might ask: "What did the last person in this position go on to do?"
- This is question can express that you're thinking about where this position can lead if promoted.
4. What kind of opportunities would there be for growing within the company?
- Asking about advancement can seem like you're already looking beyond a position you haven't even secured, but it tells the interviewer that you're interviewing for a career with the company rather than just interviewing for a job. You won't be able to be promoted unless you're very driven and focused on your work and this question tells the interviewer that you will be; even if for no other reason than to be promoted.
5. What are some immediate goals of the company?
- Again, any opportunity you have to express to the interviewer that you are interviewing for a career and not just a job will help you stand out as a team member who cares about the overall success of the company. Employees who take greater stock and pride in the company they work for tend to work much more diligently to ensure its success.
6. How did you get started with the company? What do you like about it?
- This is a unique opportunity to speak to the interviewer as an individual instead as an employee and get them to personally open up about their experiences with the company. The interviewer may or may not let their guard down and talk to you as an individual instead of as a representative of the company. Either way, it's a good way to ease tension.
7. Who would be my immediate supervisor? Whom will I supervise?
- By asking very specific questions, you're already beginning to feather the nest of your position at this company. Specific questions about day-to-day activities on the job express that you're a planner and think ahead.
8. What specific skill set does this job most require?
- Though asking very specific questions about a position you don't yet have seems like jumping the gun, it shows that you're thinking about how you can be an asset to the company in this position. The answer will also cause you to look within yourself to see if this job is really for you.
9. How has the interviewing process been going?
- This question is another way of breaking any tension in an interview and talking to this interviewer as a person rather as an ambassador of the company. Most companies want to hire people with personalities and not robots. By asking, you're giving the interviewer a miniature break from the interviewing process and an opportunity to let their hair down for a moment. However effective this question might be in relieving tensions, it's best asked towards the end of an interview. This shows that you're about getting business handled before socializing. If they give a very short official response that shows they're not interested in small-talk, quickly move on from the subject.
10. How soon do you think you will make your decision? How would you like to contact me?
- There's a good chance you'll want to ask this question for personal reasons, but it's also a good way of wrapping up an interview. It shows that you're looking towards the next step in your relationship with the company.
Just like you can't ace a test unless you know the answer to the questions, having the right questions that tell give the interviewer an expanded look into your frame of mind about a position is somewhat like bringing along your own bonus questions to answer. Always be extremely courteous, provide a firm handshake, good eye contact, proper posture, and most importantly, remain calm and be yourself.
For more questions to think about asking the interviewer in your next job interview, check out this write up from Resumagic.com. For high caliber jobs for high caliber workers in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas, log onto to Barracuda Staffing for more information.
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