One of the most crucial parts of the recruitment process is the interview. There are lots of things to consider when preparing for that all-important job interview. Firstly, you need to know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses, so that you can sell yourself and what you can bring to the company. You also need to do your research and know as much as you can about the role and the company you are applying to work for. This is all pretty obvious, and it’s fairly easy to appear prepared when you’ve thought about all this.
On the day of the interview, you’re doing really well and you think you’ve nailed it, until the end, when your interviewer asks you, “do you have any questions for us?” A lot of people forget about this part of the interview, so, when put on the spot, they go blank and respond that they don’t have any questions. Consider this: you are one of many people the company has interviewed for this role. Most of them could have a similar degree to you, similar experience to you and similar communication skills to you. So, when the employer reflects on all the interviews they have done, how do they set you apart from the rest? When doing your preparation for the interview, think of a few questions that you could ask the interviewer. This not only shows how keen you are, but also allows you to take control of the interview and settle a few concerns you may have about the role or the company, in order to decide if the role would be right for you.
Here are some suggestions for questions you could ask your interviewer:
- What is the company culture like at this firm?
It’s important to know if you will enjoy working as part of this team, and if the employees get along. Asking this question also shows the interviewer that you are trying to envisage yourself as part of the team. - What can someone in this role expect to achieve after two years, five years, 10 years?
This shows that you have ambitions and are thinking ahead to where this role could lead you. - Are there opportunities for further development?
Again, by asking this, it shows you are thinking ahead and wondering how you can develop your skills and knowledge in order to be more successful. - What are some of the challenges that the company faces?
By asking this question, it shows you are prepared to encounter challenges and find solutions for them, whilst at the same time, it will give you an insight into some of the more difficult aspects about working at the company. It would be unrealistic for the interviewer to deny that there are any challenges! - What do you particularly enjoy about working in this company?
This is a more personal question, so it will allow the interviewer to share their feelings and connect with you on a more personal level. Hopefully, it will be easy for the interviewer to come up with a number of reasons as to why they enjoy working there; if not, then perhaps that’s a negative sign about working at this company.
When you are preparing for your interview, be sure to think of two or three questions that you could ask your interviewer. This will show you are confident, enthusiastic and will be sure to set you apart from other candidates who turn down the opportunity to ask questions.
As an award-winning recruitment company in Asia, Links International is well-positioned to offer useful career advice that can help take your career to the next level. Please contact us!