With all of the current layoffs that have been happening and a possible upcoming possible recession. I figured it was only fitting I brought you some updated interview questions to ask as you prepared for your next interview. Keep in mind that some questions might get answered as the interview goes on, so it's always good to have a handful of questions in hand.
Here are the questions I have personally used and gathered while doing some research.
10 Questions To Ask During A Job Interview
1. Can you tell me a bit more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
This will give you a quick insight into what your days or week can look like. The amount of work is expected from you and some of the projects the team might be working on.
2. What type of skills is the team missing that you're looking to fill with the new hire?
OR
What characteristics and skills would a person need to be successful in this job?
This is a great question to ask your interviewer, as this question is designed to make the interviewer or hiring manager tell you precisely what they are looking for. Once they have answered the question, a plus is for you to turn it around and let them know (by talking about your experience) that you have those skills and will be a great addition to the team and company.
3. Does the company offer continuing education and professional training?
Your base salary is one of many things you can get from a company. If you want to continue your education, knowing your company would either cover it or help you pay for it is always good. I started a new job at the end of 2021, and by the beginning of 2022, my company paid the total of a certification that otherwise would have cost me thousands of dollars.
4. How would you measure my success? and what are things I can do to exceed your expectations?
OR
As an employee, how could I exceed your expectations?
Again, this is a great way to find out what your manager is looking for in an employee and what they would expect from you. If they start to sound a little too crazy, that might be a sign you do not need to go there. Also, knowing how success is measured is extremely helpful; this will give you an insight into how your work will be measured and rewarded.
5. How would you describe your management style?
OR
Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide?
I don't know about you, but I don't need any micromanagement in my life. By asking this question, you will get an idea of their management style and how supportive (or not) they are. The best managers are those who guide you and value your opinion. The ones that push you out of your comfort zone and give you credit. Those are also the ones that will advocate for you and give you the raise or promotion without you having to ask for it because they know you deserve it.
You want good managers in your corner, you deserve that.
6. Why did you choose this company?
Knowing why someone chooses a place to work is much better than asking, "how long have you worked here"- you can find that answer on LinkedIn. By asking this question, you get some insight into the company's culture and what it is like to work there. You want to know if it was the people, the management, their goals, etc. After that, you can be the judge and see if you want to work there yourself.
7. Do you feel like your opinions are heard here?
THIS QUESTION RIGHT HERE! A company that does not listen to its employees is one that you want to stay away from. You want to know how upper management handles opinions and how your manager will handle your opinion, whether it is even welcome or not.
Don't be surprised if this question throws them off a bit; that's fine. It could be a problem if they have no idea or have difficulty answering the question.
8. Could you name some challenges I might face in this position?
Again, another way of finding out what to expect from this job in terms of workload, projects, and expectations. This is also a good way to find out some of the ugly things in the team or even the company. Example: If the hiring manager tells you, that you might have to chase a lot of people down to complete projects or get answers- this is another way of telling you, that communication sucks.
9. How long did the previous person in the role hold the position? What has the turnover in the role generally been like?
This question will let you know if there is a problem within the team or the company. If the role has a big turnover, I say run. If the company has a history of low turnover, and so does the role, this might be a good sign.
10. Is there anything about me or my experience that gives you pause? If so, I would love to address that.
OR
Is there anything in my background or resume that needs clarifying?
I heard the first version of this question while listening to the "Her First 100K" podcast, and when I tell you this version stood up to me, I had to include it. Asking either version of this question is excellent. This is a way to know if, for any reason, the hiring manager/interviewer has any concerns. This could be because maybe you didn't explain yourself well or forgot to mention a critical skill. By asking this question, you are giving yourself another opportunity to tell the interviewer you are the right person for the job.
Remember, interviews are two-way streets. You want to ask questions, but not for the sake of asking but because you are vetting this job as much as they are vetting you, so ask the questions that are going to show you that this is the place where you want to work at- or not work at.
If you decide to use these questions, make sure to come back and let me know how it goes. Best of luck!
