During your job interview, you can expect to be asked a lot of questions—questions about your skillsets, your employment history, and your reasons for seeking a new job, among other topics. At the end of your interview, though, the tables will be turned; almost without fail, interviewers conclude things by asking what questions they can answer for the jobseeker.
Not All Questions are Created Equal
Don’t be mistaken: This does not mean the interview is over. Far from it. Actually, the questions you ask are still very much a part of the interview. You shouldn’t just ask questions to gain information for yourself, then, but to convey the kind of candidate you are.
For example: You could ask a question about the company’s size or its history. While these are reasonable things to be curious about, they are also things you can easily research on the company website. Asking these questions doesn’t say anything about you, except that maybe you didn’t do enough research.
Instead, you should ask questions that demonstrate your critical thinking skills; questions that prove you to be both a fast learner and a valuable contributor.
What Questions Should You Ask?
So what kinds of questions should you be asking, exactly? The best questions are the ones that set the interviewer up for a thoughtful follow-up, and provide you with something meaty to think about after you leave.
Generally speaking, the best questions are open-ended ones about big topics. Here are just a few examples of questions that can make you look good:
- What’s the biggest business problem you’re currently facing?
- What upcoming projects or campaigns are you most excited about?
- What keeps you awake at night?
- How does this role fit into the big picture? How does it help advance the company’s values, mission, and culture?
- What has a successful candidate for this role done within 60 days on the job? Within the first year?
Remember that you may need to tweak these questions slightly, just depending on the nature of the company you’re applying to. The important thing is to ask something that shows you want to understand the company better—and to gain a better sense of how you might add value to it.
That’s how you can use the questions part of the interview to further position yourself as the ideal applicant. But don’t forget: You’ll need a great resume just to get your foot in the door. That’s something we can help you with. Schedule a consultation with one of our resume writing professionals today: Contact Grammar Chic, Inc. at www.grammarchic.net or 803-831-7444.
