Landing an interview can take time. You may think the gap between getting an interview and the actual interview should be a time to relax. Well, if you want to excel at interview, I recommend you do some serious prep!
Besides the obvious stuff to gen up on – research the firm or company, talk to people that work there or have worked there, have a narrative ready to tell your prospective employers about your career to date that includes technical and professional skills – you’ll need some great questions to ask during or at the end of the interview.
This month: Get Your Questions Ready!
Here are five questions that I think will help you in any job interview. If you can, I would always try to space out the questions you ask so it becomes more of a conversation between professionals.
What type of employee tends to succeed here? What qualities are the most important for doing well and advancing at the firm?
This question shows that you are thinking about your future at the firm. You are also getting a personal opinion of your future boss (or your boss’ boss) about what they think of the firm.
How has this position evolved?
Hopefully, the answer to this question will show whether the role is a good fit for you. Your interviewer’s response should show whether the team or firm is growing or whether you will be expected to fill someone else’s shoes (which may not be what you are looking for).
What have past employees done to succeed in this position?
It can be difficult to know how firms and companies measure success. This question is a gentle way of asking how the firm you are interviewing with sees success and what you’ll have to do to be successful in the firm.
Is there anything else I can provide to help you make your decision?
This question shows that you are eager to provide your prospective employer with all the information they need. It’s also a polished way of acknowledging that the interview will have an outcome that you obviously want to influence.
Is there anyone else you would like me to meet with?
Ask this question towards the end of the interview as the interviewer’s response will give you some of idea of how well the interview has gone. You will also get a sense of whether the firm values working as a team if they invite you to meet some of your co-workers.
