Life
6 Best Questions To Ask In A Job Interview
We spend hours thinking of the best kinds of answers when we prepare for job interviews. We make up flaws that are really just socially acceptable humble brags, à la "my greatest weakness is that I try too hard." We think up fanciful reasons why we're the only woman for the job. Why we're special, why our unique life experience makes us the best candidate. But we often forget that interviews go both ways.
The interviewer doesn't just want to know why we're right for the job, but they also want to know why the job is right for us. Will it fulfill our needs? Will it help us grow? Will we be loyal to the company? Are we just looking for income and not thoroughly thinking out a future with the company? When they make a hire, they want to know that the person wants to work as hard and long as they can. Hiring costs the company money and puts them back, so they want to make sure that you're the woman for the job, now and later. Which is exactly why they always ask us if we have any questions.
And no matter how many job interviews we go on, we tend to forget this important part. Sometimes in life, the questions you ask show more about you than your answers — this is definitely one of those circumstances. Here are some questions to ask to prove you're not just the woman for the job, but that the job is for you.
What's An Average Day Like For Someone In This Position?
Get a good idea of the position so you can imagine yourself in it. Will the day be filled with meetings? Will you work alone most of the day? Will you work remotely ever? Will you be responsible for anyone else's schedule? Get as many details as possible so you can get a clear picture.
Is There Room For Growth?
What are their hopes for this position? Do they want to fill it for a long time, or are they hoping it's a stepping stone for another position? Whether or not they actually want you to move on from the position is important, especially if you're very ambitious.
How Will You Define Success For This Position?
Having a clear idea of what you need to do in order to please your boss is essential. You should know even before your first day what will be expected of you and where you should be putting your attention. How is that success measured? Who's measuring it?
How Has This Position Changed, Where Do You See It Going?
Is it a new position? Who had it before? Why did they leave? How is this position evolving? Is it going to change shortly after you accept it? Is it static?
What's Going To Be The Number One Priority Coming Into This Job?
When a job is filled, management will have strong and high hopes for the employee. Find out what's first on your agenda. What will they be looking for right off the bat?
What Are The Challenges Of This Position?
It doesn't make you look like a weak candidate to ask about challenges — it actually makes you look stronger. Find out ahead of time what struggles you might encounter and what unforeseen circumstances they might predict. These things probably won't be in the job description, so while you're at it, ask them what else you should know about the position that's not in the official listing.
