The Interview Questions You Need to Ask

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A lot of the preparation for a job interview is anticipating the questions you may be asked and rehearsing your answers. There’s no end of advice on prepping for these and we’ve weighed in with articles in the Careers and Industry Guide including Common Job Interview Questions and Top 5 Questions You Must Ask in an Interview. We recently ran across a terrific article on Inc. that got us thinking about a good way for candidate to differentiate themselves in the interview.

Getting ahead of the pack

The main goal of the interview is to eliminate candidates from the prospect pool. Think about it. The employer is looking to fill a role and has a number of potential candidates. The interview is used to narrow that candidate pool down to one person. If everyone has prepared for the interview, how can you differentiate yourself?

Ask better questions

The interviewer will ask every candidate the same interview questions. Candidates will have an opportunity to ask questions, as well. The questions you ask can really set you apart.

In 5 Questions Great Candidates Ask, Jeff Haden recommends asking the following questions:

1. What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days?
2. What are the common attributes of your top performers?
3. What are a few things that really drive results for the company?
4. What do employees do in their spare time?
5. How do you plan to deal with [a major challenge or event in the industry]?

You may not feel comfortable asking all of these but even putting two or three thoughtful questions to an employer will change the quality of the interview. It will also leave an impression that you’re not the usual candidate. Most candidates focus on what the company can do for them. These questions demonstrate to a potential employer that you’re thinking about what contribution you can make to their business.

You know what? When a prospective employer understands you’re thinking about how you can improve their organization, you’re likely to be put on the top of the list.

For more information

Visit The Job Interview section of the Careers and Industry Guide for a comprehensive group of articles designed to help you crack your next interview.

What questions do you ask in an interview?

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