Where do you learn what interview questions to ask? This is one of the most important steps in winning an interview, making an impression, and being asked back for another round.
Not having great questions or asking stupid, simple, common questions will form a negative opinion in the hiring manager's mind about you regarding your intellect, energy, enthusiasm, depth, focus, and a myriad of other traits and behaviors. You can have a great interview and blow it at this step.
In over 1000 executive searches in the last 25 years, most hiring managers will use the caliber of interview questions a candidate asks/doesn't ask as a major element of the evaluation.
"People buy your questions, not your answers". Interviewers already know what sort of answers you're likely to provide. If you're interviewing for a job that was posted, you're also interviewing against other candidates. Since you are all candidates for the same job, you are all similar in one respect or another and therefore probably similar in your answers to questions as well. YOUR QUESTIONS MAY BE THE ONLY WAY TO SEPERATE YOURSELF FROM THE PACK! Thus you need to be prepared with a short-list of 'employer-specicfic core questions that are relevant to the business challenges of that organization'. Ask the questions in a manner that allows the interviewer an opportunity to connect with you; in other words, allow the interviewer to feel s/he is mentoring you. To some it may sound like giving up power and a sign of weakness. THIS advisor is telling you it is a sign of respec and a sure vehicle to a relationship. Finally, space out your questions. In a 30-minute interview you can ask about 3 questions, spaced out in a manner that appears unrehearsed and with enough time to allow discussion around that topic which you brought to the table and are prepared to address; in 60 minutes, 6 questions. You do not want to wait to the end and have the interviewer ask "do you have any questions" for then it already too late. S/he is done; you don't have time to enter into more discussion. The clock ran out on you; do not pass go; don not collect job!
.PNG)
Comments