November 10, 2010

The right questions to ask during your interview

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By Kristen Fife
NWjobs

Q: : I've heard that the questions I ask the potential employer in interviews are as important as my answers to their questions. Is there a rule of thumb, or are there specific examples of questions I should be asking during interviews? How much time should I allow to ask questions, and what should I do if there is not enough time for all of my questions?
-TC, Kirkland

Kristen says: You may go through several different types of interviews in today’s market. Usually the first person you talk to will be in human resources or recruiting. This is the person you should ask broad questions about the company, as well as specific questions about salary, performance reviews and benefits. The recruiter’s primary focus is to find the right fit, not just for the position at hand, but also long-term for the company in general. Ask about company size, corporate culture, career path, organization and anything to do with being an employee of the company. If you are preparing for an in-person interview with a hiring manager, ask the recruiter about appropriate attire for the interview, how long to expect the process to be, how to prepare, who you will be speaking with and how much time you can expect for asking your own questions. S/he is also the intermediary to get further information you may not have obtained during interviews with the hiring manager or team.

When you are talking to the hiring manager, ask about the team at large: how many people are there, and what do they do? What skills are most important, and how does the team function both on a personal and professional level? A good question to ask is, “What does the successful candidate for this position look like?” Questions like, “What does a day in the life of this position look like?” will help you understand what you will be doing if you are hired.

If you meet with other people on the team, ask them what their roles are and how they interact with the position for which you are interviewing. Asking why they enjoy their jobs creates a personal rapport and gives you insight into communication styles. When you ask questions, it shows that you are interested and engaged.

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