Job interviews are a two-way street; you need to ask questions that sets you apart and helps you determine if the company is fit for you.
Photo credit: Christina
Summary
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While interviewing for a job, it is important for you to gather as much information about a company from the interviewer.
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It helps you know if the company culture aligns with your values and shows how interested you are in the role.
Job interviews are stressful but there is an upside to it. The interviewer will often finish by asking, “Do you have any questions for me?” Job interviews are a two-way street; you need to ask questions that sets you apart and helps you determine if the company is fit for you. As a job seeker you need a company culture that aligns with your values.
There are a number of questions you can ask during an interview to uncover more about the inner workings of a company. The trick is to be specific, and you could learn more than you think.
1. What was the last big achievement celebrated?
This question reveals if employees’ efforts are acknowledged or not. Do they show appreciation or go on without notice? You can tell a lot about a company by how it rewards its employees. That is why this question tops the list.
2. What recreational activities do you offer for employees?
Most companies have team building retreats, workshops and other conferences. The answer given will help you understand if the company is invested on team work and building good professional relationships.
3. What opportunities do you offer for advanced training & career development?
Not every company offers formal trainings or employee development. Ask this to find out whether the company values career growth of its employees. When employees improve their skills then the productivity in their work increases. The answer given to this question is key.
4. How does this company evaluate employee performance?
Various companies’ measure their employee performance based on amount of work done, sales or creative ideas and solutions. Look into the standard evaluation framework they use by asking this question.
5. What kind of flexible work arrangements do you have?
Remote work has been quickly adopted by companies which means that going into the office isn’t necessary. It is still good to confirm by asking. Do they have work from home policies? If not, is there sufficient work space or do employees work in shifts?
In conclusion, the questions above are a guide on how to frame your questions by making them relevant to the company culture. Many hiring managers pay attention to the questions you ask. It tells a lot about the candidate and their interest. Be confident and clear in your questions.
