When you're devoting all your brainpower to crafting persuasive answers for a job interview, remember that the inevitable Q&A segment is just as important. Asking too soon about money or benefits is risky, while declining to answer is a missed opportunity and sends the message that your interests are shallow. Think about the qualities you want in a potential employer to come up with thoughtful questions and set yourself apart from other candidates.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
A job interview isn't just an audition; it's also a chance for you to decide whether the company aligns with your expectations. Choose questions that spur deeper conversation and reveal less-obvious details about daily operations at the company. Find out what the interviewer likes about the company, and ask what qualities are most important for a new hire to be successful. If the interviewer is your prospective boss, ask her about her preferred management style. Open-ended questions give you more opportunities to share your past experiences while offering insight into the company culture and the tone of everyday interactions.
Probe for Leverage
Different employers have their own ideas about learning curves, so you should prepare to adapt to a new job as quickly as possible. Use the job interview to gauge the manager's immediate and long-term expectations and what actions the company takes to bring new hires up to speed. Ask how managers measure performance and whether professional development opportunities are available to help employees refine their skills.
Show your knowledge and drive to succeed by discussing the projects the company is focusing on in the next quarter and what solutions the team is pursuing. Find out as much as you can about the company's goals, so you can share additional experiences that may sway the interviewer's decision.
Improve Your Candidacy
If you suspect that a job interview isn't going well, use the question period to clear up any misunderstandings. Be direct, and ask the interviewer if she has any concerns about your qualifications or ability to perform well in the company? Asking this question requires confidence and composure, but it also shows your capacity for self-evaluation. Avoid taking the interviewer's answer too personally, and focus on introducing any background information about yourself that provides a deeper picture of your skills and character.
Clarify the Hiring Process
Save yourself from weeks of nervous worries about what happens next. At the end of the job interview, ask the hiring manager what you should expect for the remainder of the hiring period. You may gain a better sense of the company's timeline — so you know when to follow up — and the interviewer may be prompted to provide more information about the amount of competition you're up against.
Even if the hiring manager's mind seems made up, you can't always predict how the company feels about your personality or credentials. For better or worse, job interviews can rapidly change direction, so avoid clamming up or giving in to arrogance. Ask open-ended questions whenever you can to control the flow of the conversation and create more chances to market yourself.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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