8 Important Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
Versión en Español: 8 preguntas importantes para hacer en una entrevista de trabajo
Why is it so important to prepare questions when interviewing for a new job? Many applicants consider it rude to ask questions about aspects of the position, the company, etc. Others see the interview space as an additional opportunity to impress their interviewer, a transparent practice that is likely to annoy the person conducting the interview.
At Azul Advisors, we recognize that an interview is a two-way street - they are not only evaluating you to see if you are a good fit for the job, but you should also evaluate whether the job is a good fit for you. We spend a lot of time at work. You need to gather as much information as possible to make this important decision. The interview is a very important tool to get this information, and a valuable opportunity to demonstrate your seriousness in front of a decision that will so greatly affect your life.
1. "How will the person's success in this position be measured?"
This is perhaps the most critical question to ask your prospective manager. The job description is a good starting point, but many times these documents are not written by the manager. The manager should be very clear on the answer to how success and excellence are defined in your position. If the manager does not have a clear idea, it means that success in that role will be impossible!
Having this conversation openly from the first contact opens a door for good relationships and clear expectations, eliminating guesswork. If you are offered the job and decide to accept, you will come to your first day with a plan for success, and a good relationship with your boss.
2. "What do you hope this person will achieve in their first six months / year?"
The answer to this question will give you a very clear picture of expectations, and with this information, you can determine if your potential boss’s expectations align with your way of working/skill set. Some roles expect people to hit the ground running and achieve important goals in their first weeks / months. Others have a longer training and ramp-up timeline. It is very important that you are honest with yourself and analyze if the type of work they expect corresponds with the way you work.
4. “How has the rotation been in this position? Are the people who have held this position still part of the organization?
If there has been a very high turnover in this position, it may be a red flag - it is very important that you verify the reasons why. On the other hand, if previous people have had a successful career within the organization, it can be a very good sign. Ask for more details about the professional careers of those who have been successful in the role.
5. "Can you describe a typical week at work?"
The answer to this question will shed light on many of the details of the job. If the position involves traveling, you can find out if it's two days a month, or two days a week. It may also be the case that the job involves many client meetings, and the answer to this question will tell you if they tend to be efficient breakfast meetings, more relaxed dinners. If the job description mentions strategy development but it turns out that this actually only happens at an annual strategy meeting, you will be able to decide if this fits with what you are looking for or not.
6. "What is the company culture like?"
Every company has a different culture. Some are very formal and structured, others are more relaxed and employees have to create their own action plans without much direction. The answer to this question will give you the opportunity to verify if you will be happy in the company, and what tools you will require to be successful.
7. "What do you like about working here?"
Pay close attention to how the interviewer answers this question - it days a lot about the company. If the person is enthusiastic and easily describes various things he/she loves about the job, it is a very positive sign. On the contrary, if the interviewer has trouble answering this question, it is a definite red flag.
8. "What are the next steps?"
Sometimes a company is looking to make a quick decision, but other times the hiring process can be very long with several rounds of interviews and various candidates. It is super important to understand the decision-making schedule and next-steps in order to know what to expect and when to follow-up.
What questions did you find important to ask during an interview?
If you are looking for advice or help with the process of preparing your questions and answers in English and / or conducting a mock interview in English, we invite you to request a free consultation with us by pressing the Get Started button or the Request A Free Analysis button. Also, you can write to us at contact@azuladvisors.com.