“Do you have any questions for me?”
When your interview wraps up with this final question, don’t be caught off-guard. While interviews can be nerve-wracking even for the most seasoned job seeker, nailing this closing inquiry with thoughtful, direct questions can be the make-or-break factor for any interviewee.
Typically, the experienced hiring professionals at Sabio Systems recommend showing up to your interview authentically and resisting rehearsed answers so you can be present enough to recognize red flags.
There is one thing you can prep in advance and have scripted, though: your interview questions for the interviewer.
Why should every job seeker ask questions during their interview?
The job market landscape has seen some considerable changes in the last few years, from the Great Resignation of 2020 in which millions of employees abruptly left their positions, to expectation-defying open job listings in the last few months.
Now, more than ever, opportunities for advancement and complementary company values are influencing the decisions employees make about accepting and staying in positions.
Asking your interviewer questions not only signals competency and attention to detail, then, but also offers the opportunity to vet the company and make informed choices. Use the 10 questions below to learn more about the intricacies of job position expectations, company culture, and whether or not you’ll succeed in this role.
5 questions to ask your interviewer about the job
Is this a new role or is the position being refilled?
If you’re the kind of trailblazing professional who prefers forging a path for operational workflows, then accepting a newly created role might be the perfect challenge for your skills of self-direction.
Follow up this inquiry with applicable questions, depending on your interviewer’s answer, like: why did the previous employee leave this position? Or, what goals does the company hope to accomplish with this new role?
What metrics will be used to evaluate my performance?
Even if you’re quick to learn new processes and platforms, knowing the performance markers of these tasks is crucial to accomplishing them effectively and efficiently. Avoid on-the-clock miscommunications by clarifying expectations before your first day.
What are the most important things I should accomplish in the first 90 days of this role?
This show-stopping hypothetical will indicate not only a preparedness for the interview, but for the open job position itself. It should also elucidate more details about what your day-to-day life will look like, should you choose to accept this position.
What, if anything, do new employees find surprising or confusing during onboarding?
Unless you’re the very first hire, the company you interview with should have at least a few examples of successful or difficult onboarding experiences. An honest answer can help you be ready to meet challenges head-on, and is a huge green flag from your interviewer.
Plus, it offers your interviewer an opportunity for reflection, which could lead to streamlined processes and simplified onboarding for future candidates.
Are there opportunities for training and advancement in this role?
Not every job will unfold into your lifelong career, so having little room for further development doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t learn and grow within the singular role.
That being said, the number one reason employees changed jobs in 2022 was for new opportunities. Knowing the options for advancement before you accept the role can save you and the company valuable time, especially if you need variety and innovation to stay inspired at work.
5 questions to ask your interviewer about the company
Can you give an example of a time when conflict was resolved efficiently and courteously?
This twist on the typical question requires a little bit more from your interviewer, and can reveal important details about the company’s inner workings. By asking for a specific example you can get real-world information, instead of a quip that says more about their aspirations than their actual practices.
What are the company’s current goals or growth points?
It’s important to know where your new role fits in within the larger framework of the company’s current trajectory. If an industry pivot or exciting advancement is on the horizon, the best time to find out is before you commit to working with the business.
What are the most and least desirable parts of the company culture, in your opinion?
As a respectful reversal of the infamous strengths and weaknesses question every interviewee dreads, this inquiry puts the spotlight on the collective undercurrent of the company. Even top-rated businesses have areas in which they could grow, so listen for an answer that acknowledges both the benefits of working with their team and improvements needed.
How has the company changed since you joined the team?
After putting your interviewer in something of a hot seat, give them a chance to expand and express the potentiality of the business with this follow up question. Their answer just might uncover a striving towards betterment — a green flag that could mitigate the negative aspects of the less desirable parts of the company culture.
Whether or not the business is capable of adapting to inevitable, large-scale social changes swiftly and intelligently can sway your opinion as well. As a bonus, you can ask a follow-up question about their latest social media integrations or how they handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
What kind personality would best support the current team?
Difficult coworkers can make even your dream job an unsuitable, unsustainable fit. Before you dedicate your skills and talents to the company, find out if the current team will support your growth and help you thrive to avoid needless stress and wasted time.
Do you flourish with direct guidance and feedback? Or does your best work come from space to tackle tasks without distraction? Understanding what you need to prosper within a new role can make this question an informational gold mine that impacts your decisions.
If you do decide to reject the job offer, don’t fear. Just last month, there were 263,000 jobs added and employers are currently active and hiring across the country, and the professional recruiters at Sabio Systems can utilize their expertise to help you find the perfect fit.
Start by exploring verified job openings, reviewing our job search advice, and further your education by learning how to spot the top 5 green flags in your interview.