Job interviews are an occasion for employers and employees to evaluate the expectations they both have. While candidates should prepare to answer questions about their skills and performance, they should, in return, prepare a series of questions for the employer. It shows interest in the opportunity and will help determine if the role of interest resides in a quality work environment.
We pulled together four smart questions that candidates should consider asking in their interview:
What are the common career paths in this department?
This query can give you an idea of the possible career paths open for you in the organization. If you are interviewing with multiple companies, prepare yourself by setting clear career goals that will help you target which one aligns with your vision. Identifying your career goals will give you a sense of what the employer is looking for and how much they want to work with their candidates to help them perform to the next level. If you are applying for a new role within your company, open the discussion on how you will collaborate with other team members to fulfill the requirements for this position.
What training programs are available to your employees?
It usually takes approximately three months for someone to get accustomed to processes and workflow in a new environment. Integration can be complex for new hires. Ask about their training programs for new employees and over one’s career. Doing so will help you identify if a training structure exists, and team leaders will usually inform you of the procedures in place.
Do you expect to expand this department in the next year?
With this question, you will educate yourself on the organization’s hiring habits. On the positive side, you will get a clear picture of how the company is growing; the flip side is that some companies that hire numerous candidates also have a high turnover rate. If employees tend to stay for a few months in the job, that could indicate poor management, training, or a lack of company culture. If you have the opportunity to meet future peers, ask them how many years they have worked in their position and discuss their personal experience within the company.
How would you describe the culture and work environment here?
Good company culture makes a suitable environment for employees to thrive. In healthy work environments, people tend to collaborate more frequently. Ask the hiring manager about other departments you will be working with and how frequent team meetings are. Their response will indicate if employees work collaboratively or independently. In addition, notice if they mention social activities like team lunches, holiday gatherings, or team building events that help strengthen professional relationships.
Being prepared for your new job may sound easier than it seems - whether you are meeting in person, by phone, or via video interview, be sure you have questions ready to ask. Not only will it show your interest in learning and growing with the new company, but also help give you a better understanding of what lies ahead.
