Is it time to start looking for a new job in 2020? If you’re a skilled and passionate person, who can communicate well and be a decent human, you’re on track to be a highly sought after candidate. Job hunting is challenging, and you need to stand out. I’d like to start sharing ways that you can, so you can get the job you want. This article is about what you can ask THEM once you land that dream interview.
Having pre-prepared questions for a future employer has several benefits. You don’t want to work in a place where it’s not a good culture fit, that just ends up painful for all parties. Asking some more detailed questions of the employer can only lead to good things:
You come across as confident, proactive, smart and considered
They will remember you for being out of the box
You gain insight into what these people are really like, and what they might be like to work with
You gain insight into what the culture and company is really like
You get a more genuine interaction
1. What is the policy on work life balance? but more importantly, 2. what is the culture on work life balance. What people actually do demonstrates how things work. Policies say one thing, actions tell the truth. Your workplace might have equal leave provisions for all genders around the arrival of a baby, but how many dads actually take it? How many people in the team are on flexible work arrangements? These kinds of things will give you an idea on what the culture it is.
3. What environmental sustainability practices does your company have in place? if you’re looking for somewhere progressive to work, then you’ll want to ask something about this. You’ll be able to see how genuine they are about it too. This topic might not be top priority, so ask about something that is.
4. What do you like about working here? Its really straightforward, and you can see if it aligns with what the company says are the benefits of employment.
5. What do you find challenging about working here? This is a pretty bold one, but I have asked it in a couple of different places. People’s willingness to be real is a clear indicator about whether I want to work with someone or not. If someone is telling you there are no challenges, RUN. If someone starts bitching about the boss, RUN. You’ll be hoping they will give you an honest, yet diplomatic answer about something hard, showing you they are professional, and genuine.
6. Could you tell me about a recent win the team has had? This will give you an indication of how work is celebrated and acknowledged.
7. What was the last team building exercise you did? If it was hitting karaoke after Friday drinks, and that’s your thing, AWESOME. If it was high tea on the garden lawns and that’s not your thing, also AWESOME, because you get a little understanding of the vibe, and whether you can dig it or not.
8. What are the policies and provisions around professional development and training? and/or 9. What is the opportunity for advancement and succession planning? It might seem forward, but it shows that you are interested in ongoing learning, and making a thorough decision about your employment and future opportunities. I will say with this one, tread carefully. You don’t want to come across as arrogant, and looking for a promotion before you have done the hard yards.
10. What’s been a really rewarding project you’ve worked on here? Asking one of the interviewers a question like this will show boldness and courage, and open up the conversation to be more REAL. Catching the interviewer off guard puts you both in a vulnerable, and even playing field, they’ll empathise with you more, and you’ll also gain insight about them as a person. Busting out of the formal structure will really leave an impression. Their answer to this question will help you understand more about the work itself.
I hope this has been helpful, if you know someone who is job hunting please share this, and I’d love to hear your interview stories where you’ve tried this out, so feel free to get in touch and let me know how you go!
Jade // Comms Nerd