Many individuals are unaware that job interviews are a two-way street. Ruth Nzere, Head of People Experience at Afrimash Company Limited, shares insights into top interview questions every candidate should ask during an interview.
“Do you have any questions for us?”
It'll come up in practically every interview. And, while you might be tempted to sit back and relax at this part—while the recruiters put you on the spot—doing so is not in your best interests.
We had an interesting chat with Ruth Nzere, the Head of the People Experience Team at Afrimash, a global startup that leverages technology to provide agricultural solutions. During our conversation, she shared some key insights into interview best practices and how candidates can improve their quality scores by asking questions during interviews.
Why is it important for candidates to ask questions and engage in conversations during interviews?
A job interview is a two-way street. It is an opportunity for an organization's stakeholders to determine whether you are the right fit for the job you're applying for, as well as a medium for you to evaluate your employers and assess the organization beyond their vision, mission, and other tenets you've read up on. You want to be certain that it is a win-win situation if you are chosen and that you made the best decision.
As a recruiter, what questions shouldn't candidates be afraid to ask?
Ask the following interview questions if you want to impress your interviewers:
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What does success look like in this role?
You should have a thorough understanding of the job requirements and the specific metrics that will be used to evaluate your performance.
This question will let you learn what is expected of you before you even receive an offer. This could either excite you or draw some red flags. Either way, it will give you valuable information on how your success will be measured if you accept it.
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What do you love most about working here?
You can direct this question to the team's HR representative and expect responses that will provide insights into the company's culture and work-life balance, benefits if any, that you will receive if you join the team.
It’s also the perfect question to catch the recruiter a little off-guard and get an honest answer. Regardless of what they say, you can probably gauge how they truly feel about their company, which gives you another indication of whether it’s the right fit for you.
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How does this role contribute to the company's mission?
This allows you to determine whether you are a good fit in the company's current framework and its plans.
From a candidate's perspective, it's a great way to determine whether the role you've applied for will be high-profile or low-profile. It also indicates what is expected of the person who fills that role.
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Is there room for growth?
This demonstrates a level of interest, self-leadership, self-motivation, and a drive to learn new abilities that will allow you to advance and build with the organization.
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What does a typical day look like here?
This is a favorite question of mine because it allows you to picture yourself in a role and how your time will be spent daily. It will also assist you in gaining a clear understanding of the workplace structure and the specificity of expectations.
Can you share some personal interview hacks job seekers can learn from?
When you've mastered cover letters, resumes, and job applications and are receiving interview requests, it's time to learn how to succeed in the job interview so that you can get closer to your goal of getting your dream job.
The following interview hacks can make the difference between a decision to decline a candidate and a decision to proceed with an offer:
1. Research about the company/role: This is almost everything because it will offer you an idea of what you're in for as well as the knowledge you'll need to make a solid first impression.
2. Align your application to fit the role: If your CV is an application, it should be personalized to ensure that you are a suitable fit for the position. Much more, you should go over it again and again and be prepared to clarify critical points like your course/second-degree decision, employment changes, and why you wish to leave your current position.
3. Be enthusiastic: In an interview, your goal is to persuade the panel that you are the best fit. This means you should dress the part and speak the part. This may necessitate practicing your mannerisms in front of the mirror or with friends to ensure that your facial expressions are correct and your responses are authentic and concise.
4. Finally, never criticize a previous employer, boss, or colleague. Your primary goal should be to make a strong case for yourself.
The hiring manager understands that you want to know if the position is a good fit for you, so they will expect questions. Not asking interview questions could be a negative for you, and you can read up why here.
By modifying a couple of the examples above to fit your own situation, we can almost guarantee you'll spark some precious discussions that will help you make the right decision about the role. So do your best and ace that next interview!
