From Interviewee to Interviewer; 3 Questions You Should Ask During a Job Interview

When you are in a job interview, one of the key things to remember is you are not just the interviewee, you are also the interviewer. Some job candidates are so focused on making a good impression and answering the questions in a positive manner, they forget there is also information they must glean from the company in order to make informed decisions about the job. PrideStaff Financial has three questions you should ask during an interview.

How much do they really know about the position?

An important question you can ask a potential employer is, “What is one of the biggest challenges for the person in this position?” This question allows you to determine two things. First, it gives you some insight into how much management truly knows about the job. Whether they are hands-on or hands-off, communicate with their teams, or take a “closed-door” approach to management are big indicators as to whether or not you want the position. Second, how they answer helps you determine if it’s the job you’ve been looking for. For example, if you want some excitement in a new position and the employer doesn’t have any major challenges to discuss about the role, this may not be a good fit for you. Or maybe the challenges you are looking for in a job don’t align with the challenges of the position you are currently interviewing for.

Why is the position available?

If an employer is vague with their response, it could be due to high turnover in the position. While respecting their discretion, don’t be afraid to ask about the average turnover for the position. If they’ve gone through multiple employees for the same position, is it because the employees were promoted or because they weren’t good fits? If they weren’t a good fit, why, and what would you need to do to survive? If it’s a newly created position, find out what the growth potential in the company is. This will give you insight into longevity and growth with the company, and it allows you a peek into whether or not the company struggles with support of its employees, future branding, and company culture.

What do other employees feel is the best part of working here?

Find out what the company thinks employees value to see if your values align with theirs. Take note of their responses to determine if they are genuine or scripted. It’s important to make sure you feel comfortable in the company. If they offer to give you a tour, take the opportunity to meet employees and ask them directly, or see if a separate employee can give you a tour so that you can have frank conversations with them away from the boss. 

It’s important that you take the time to get to know a company before accepting a potential job offer. The fit of a job and company culture should be just as vital to you as it is to the employer. PrideStaff Financial is one of the nation’s leading recruiting firms. Our staffing consultants can help you navigate the interview process. Contact us to learn how.