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4 important questions to ask at your interview
Written by Sanderson Recruitment | Blog | Clients | Posted 03/10/2017 16:53:55
It is a common misunderstanding that an interview is an opportunity purely for an employer to figure you out. In fact, an interview is a two-way street and you need to leave it as impressed by the employer as they are by you. So it is important when you get chance to ask some questions that you choose them wisely. Not least because it shows how prepared and forward-thinking you are, but also so you can make an informed decision on whether this is the company for you. Here are four questions you should consider in your next interview.
How would you describe a typical week in this position?
Generally, people only have a really good understanding of the job role when they actually start work. A job description on paper can only offer a limited insight. So this question is particularly useful as the information, appealing or not, can dispel many crucial unknowns before you’ve actually committed to the job.
What did the previous employee in this position go on to do? Have they progressed within the company?
This question demonstrates your desire for progression and enthusiasm for building a long-standing career within the company whilst also uncovering whether the role does truly have future potential. This reflects well on your ambition but puts the employer on the spot in terms of providing solid evidence for the progression opportunities they have likely listed on their job advert.
What are the biggest challenges of the job?
Before the interview create a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Asking what the biggest challenges are will help you gage whether the role has challenges you are excited to tackle or tasks likely to cause you a good deal of stress. In an interview it is easy to get carried away with being a ‘yes-person’ because you are so grateful for the opportunity, but take good note of the employer’s answers to this question and consider realistically whether these are challenges you want to face in your every-day.
Who would the business consider to be their biggest competitor?
This question can provide you with a broad range of information indicating what your job role will be like and what work you will be doing. Not only can you research the company you have applied for but also their competitors as it is likely the similarities will be two-fold. You can also measure the reputation and size of the business by who they consider their competitors to be.