Job Seekers: Don't Forget To Prepare Questions For The Employer
The job interview I was conducting had been going well. The candidate, “Eric” (name changed), was intelligent, articulate, experienced, and met the majority of the job requirements. Near the end of the interview I paused. “Now that I’ve spent the last 45 minutes asking you questions, do you have any questions for me?” I asked.
The candidate stared at me with a look of sheer terror on his face. He looked down at his feet and then over at the clock on the conference room wall. I could see that he was frantically trying to come up with a question as he squirmed in his chair. Finally, he mumbled, “Um, no, not really.” An awkward silence followed.
Believe it or not, that situation is as awkward for interviewers as it is for job seekers. As a hiring manager, I specifically look for candidates who have done their homework and come prepared with questions (based on their research of the job, the company, and the industry) – so they can also evaluate whether or not the position will be a good fit for them.
It’s important to prepare questions ahead of time so when the hiring manager asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” you’ll have a list from which to pull. That way, you won’t have to worry about your mind going blank (like “Eric”) at that crucial moment.
As you prepare for your job interview, try brainstorming some questions based on the following categories: Hiring manager, job, department, and company. Here are some example questions, so you’ll understand what I mean:
Potential questions for the hiring manager:
- How would you describe your leadership style?
- What are the reasons you decided to work for this company?
- What do you like the most and the least about working here?
- Read more | forbes.com