By asking questions that highlight that you have the skills and abilities they have laid out in the job description. First off, take a deep breath and relax. Because odds are some of your questions might be answered during the course of the interview and if you haven’t prepared enough, you run the risk of ending up at the end with nothing left to ask…and we’ve already covered how that looks. What do they expect from someone who is hired for this position? February 12, 2021. Before you run off and begin writing down your questions, remember…tailor, tailor, tailor! Behavioral interviewing uses strategically-composed questions to share how a candidate’s past performance might support a hiring company’s future needs. Can you tell me what you love the most about working here?4. Glassdoor for Employers › Blog › Hiring & Recruiting › 11 Must-Ask Behavioral Interview Questions. The best job in the world can easily turn into the worst job if you find out you can’t stand the people you’re assigned to. How did you handle the aftermath? We’ve prepared 14 solid explanations below for you to help kick start your creative juices as well as included why they’re good questions to ask the interviewer. The answers, if articulated well, will convince the employer that the job seeker is a fit - or not - for an open opportunity. Or, what actions do they take to ensure timelines are met on the next project? Decide what (at least a few) questions you’re going to ask based on your analysis of the job description. How you do your job is also equally important…and what they expect from you as you do it! Yes, they are…but like any good date, shouldn’t you try to learn a little bit more about the position and company before you decide to accept the job if they offer it to you? You want to make sure you and your employer establish early on what they expect from you performance wise and not just for the immediate future. How do you do this? You’re kidding, right? The same way you do for traditional and behavioral questions. The best way to meet the goals of your employer is to know up front what they are. We love the enthusiasm but before you start charging ahead with “What’s your favorite color” and “If you could be any superhero on the planet, who would you be,” we need to give you a bit more information. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page. Not having questions makes you appear lazy, unmotivated, and unprepared…exactly the opposite of someone they want to hire. Never ask about time off or vacation policy, no matter how important it is to you. 9. 11 Must-Ask Behavioral Interview Questions. While this might seem at first like a bad idea, it’s actually a brilliant move. Like the rest of the people you’re going to work with…if it’s not a good match, then it might not be the job you want to take. Here’s an example of a question to ask with a Quality (leadership) infused: “In my past role I was leaned on heavily to provide leadership to a team of individuals, which I felt was an area that I succeeded in. Why is not asking questions at the end of (and during) the interview a missed opportunity and why are hiring managers disappointed when interviewees don’t ask questions? It also reveals how well they connect the dots between a problem and a meaningful outcome. Okay, you’ve convinced me. Well they should be different for each candidate depending on the situation, but here are 5 great ones:1. Why you may ask? The follow-up questions allow me to peel the layers back and see the person’s true colors. b) Technical interview questions to ask candidates. On the surface, interviewing a candidate for an available job sounds easy. What are the main responsibilities I would have that would require an elite level of leadership and could you see my past experience as a team leader benefiting me?”. Priscilla Ning ’19 is an undergraduate student at Babson College. What are you going to be doing exactly? Wait…questions? After the interview, you will better understand motivators and values, you will get a sense how the candidate solves problems and initiates new ideas, you will know whether they play well with others or work better solitarily and you will understand how they influence and communicate with others. As we said earlier, there are specific categories you want to stick to when thinking about questions to ask an interviewer. Isn’t that awkward? Sign up to get free content delivered to your inbox weekly! I was hired for a job once where all the employees were expected to participate in a group physical activity before starting our day. “I’m good. This is a question that is going to not only give you a good heads up on what you are potentially walking into as far as atmosphere goes, but also lets you know what the expectations are for your own performance. When ideas are passed over? Value of this question: Provides insights about the job seeker's decisiveness as well as confidence. Serious job related questions…questions that can ultimately make or break your desire to accept the job should it be offered. How did you accomplish this? Describe a situation where you had to make a tough decision that normally would have been escalated to your boss. To keep going back to the dating analogy, you want to ask questions that get you both talking…and give you the opportunity to learn. In fact, leave the flowers and chocolates at home for your sweetie. While hundreds of behavioral interview questions are available to help the employer vet out their next great candidate, the following 11 are must-asks: 1. It’s also a great way to get a bit of information about your supervisor. Anything about the company that can easily be found with a Google search. Is it a suit and tie sort of place or are employees allowed to be a little more casual? If no training is offered and you’re not sure you know enough to do the job…this would also be a great time to get clarification on that. You can learn a lot about an open position through the basic application process, but to really get the down and dirty about what will be expected of you, you need to make sure you prepare good questions to ask the interviewer as well. That’s great! 4. Is there anything you need to know in order to do the job? 8. Aren’t they interviewing me? Yes, we sort of roughed out quite a few when we described the categories, but those are general questions. If you’ve completed the interview and it all feels right, how long should you expect to wait before hearing about the position? Make sure not to turn the conversation into an interview, and not to push topics your CEO has purposely not elaborated on. "I often find you can learn more about a person based on the questions they ask versus the answers they give." This question is important because not only will it give you a sense of how stable your job might be, but the job you take today should always be in line with your long term career goals. (What’s “Tailoring?” Check out our blog article Job Interview Questions and Answers 101 to learn more). What was the result? Maybe the next one will have some questions for you. Value of this question: Speaks to integrity and values and how the job seeker communicates their needs amid uncomfortable and uncertain situations. Click here to get your copy of the “Questions to Ask the Interviewer Cheat Sheet now. Some questions can be straight forward and simple…but keep in mind that the tailoring proves you’re going the extra mile. If so, now is the time to ask serious questions about who you’re going to be spending your time with. What was the outcome? FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our "Questions To Ask The Interviewer Cheat Sheet" that gives you 18 more great sample questions you can ask the interviewer at your next interview. While some candidates might think this a “cute” question to ask that shows confidence, more likely than not you will come across as arrogant and someone who is not 100% focused on the position at hand. This is a two part question…but knowledge is power and the more you have, the better off you are! What steps did you take? Value of this question: Delivers insights into the candidate's drive, and the 'why' behind the initiative. This is not only a question you can ask to show you’re interested in where the hiring process is going to go next, it’s also a great way for you to get some reassurance. "I love asking this question really early in the interview--it shows me whether the candidate can think quickly on their feet, and also reveals their level of preparation and strategic thinking. Are you going to be expected to be 100% buttoned-up and professional at all times or does the company allow a more relaxed approach to work? Absolutely. No. Find Qualities, and infuse them into your questions to ask. The candidate is proving that they really care about the job and making sure they’re able to do their absolute best if they were hired. Is there any special training or any classes you’re going to be required to take if you’re hired? How well can they gain idea buy-in from someone who does not report to them? Who wants to hire someone who seems like they’re more interested in running away than investing a little more time into finding out what the job is really all about? Another important consideration to keep in mind is the culture of the company you are going to work for. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Value of this question: Uncovers the candidate's ability to own their mistakes and also demonstrates their ability to rectify the situation immediately or, if that's not possible, to prove they've learned from their mistakes and have put measures in place to avoid them happening again. By Glassdoor Team How do I know which questions are the right questions to be asking? Who are you going to be working with? Not a great way to start out a new job! You'll get insights into how they plan and run projects, as well as how the bar they set for success. But you just gave me seven categories! How well do they function in a matrix environment? For example, if the most energizing aspect of their job has been interacting with clients on a daily basis but there is no similar type of interaction in the prospective role, then further inquiry may be needed to ensure fit. Think about the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current or most recent position. How did you respond to it? While a savvy interviewer always includes questions tailored to the position, our list of the 10 best questions works across a variety of industries and job descriptions: 1. Tell me about a time when you had too much to do, but not enough resources (this could include staffing, time, money). Nobody likes waiting to hear back from a company and getting nothing…at least this way you’re prepped for how the process will continue and what to expect…and when. Think back to one of the most energy-depleting periods in your current or most recent position. Are there reviews? Remember too that the best questions are the ones that lead to discussion and back and forth between you and the interviewer. By submitting your information you agree to Glassdoor's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. If you follow our advice at all this one should be a no-brainer. questions to ask at the end of an interview! 5. Such a missed opportunity. Don’t ask about how quickly you’ll get promoted or vacation days.3. Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Was it team-driven, was it for a greater company good or did they want to prove they were ready for the next promotion? Obviously some of this info may be important to you but it makes you come across as a lazy worker who is already looking for ways to work less… NOT a good foot to put forward! With the job description in hand describing specific skill sets and experience, the recruiter or hiring manager fires off a dozen questions or so and voila, they are equipped to make a hiring decision.. What you should bring with you are questions to ask at the end of an interview! Are there further steps that need to be completed? 7. Core business operations, their competition etc. Not only are you getting more information about the job, you’re showing the interviewer that you genuinely care about the position, the company, and your role should you get hired. "What are the immediate challenges that the recruit will face in this job?" This isn’t so much a fact finding question as it is one last opportunity to let the interviewer make sure they’ve covered all their bases. “Any questions for me?”, The candidate clears their throat, nervous. I’m going to ask questions…tons of questions! Moreover, it sheds light on communication abilities. 6. Candidates have an opportunity to give you a behind the scenes tour of the professional accomplishment that they're most proud of. Value of this question: Exposes the candidate's advanced customer relationship management skills, as well as tenacity in problem-solving. This is a great question to ask…especially if you are concerned about your ability to do the job. Focusing in on both hard and soft skills, the questions drill down into several layers of a job seeker’s value proposition, unearthing interview … Tell me about a time you made a blunder on the job that cost your company time or money. If it's one-and-done, then what was their motivator? Unique interview questions can test a candidate’s ability to go with the flow or fit in well with a team, but each interview question still needs to have a purpose beyond just having fun. Remember…go the extra mile! After 20 years of experience interviewing and hiring professionals, here’s my take on the five best questions you can ask during your next job interview and why you should ask them. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. Would you want to see that person again? Tell me about a time when you went the extra mile when it would have been just as acceptable to perform the bare minimum. Behavioral interviewing uses strategically-composed questions to share how a candidate's past performance might support a hiring company's future needs. Value of this question: Again, this question helps determine culture fit. You can tell by the look in their eye all they want to do is get out of there. Again, you want to make sure you’re going into the job with your eyes wide open. That can make a hiring manager reluctant to extend the offer of a job. The best interview questions also benefit job seekers by giving them an opportunity to speak to details that don’t fit on a resume. 1. Ie. Also, questions may come up during the interview. As you’re preparing for your interview and doing your research on the job and the company, make sure you’re also taking notes about things you’d like to ask about. The key is to ask questions that show the interviewer or hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate. Does this mean I have to start bringing flowers and chocolates with me as well as copies of my resume? Finding out early on where the company is headed in the long term can help you plan your own trajectory. How long will you be doing that job and will the job evolve as you continue to work there? Brownie points! Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page. These questions are great as first-round interview questions to ask. Ask insightful questions about the job opportunity and impress the interviewer as a candidate who has given the position a lot of thought. You want to try and turn the interview into a conversation between peers, so asking questions on the fly is a good tactic too. I’m sure the hiring manager is going to get sick of me long before I get a chance to go through all my questions… Or worse, what if my questions are dumb and the hiring manager thinks I’m an idiot? Ahh, so glad you asked! For example, if the employee shows how they bartered with a colleague for additional resources, then they prove out-of-the-box initiative (versus asking their boss for additional budgeting or resources that may not have been available). Focusing in on both hard and soft skills, the questions drill down into several layers of a job seeker's value proposition, unearthing interview gold. Click here to get your copy of the “Questions to Ask the Interviewer Cheat Sheet now, 200+ Job Interview Questions List (PDF Practice Cheat Sheet Included), How To Write A Killer Resume Objective (Examples Included), Behavioral Interview Questions And Answers 101 (+ Example Answers), The Best Cover Letter Format For 2021 [3 Sample Templates], 8 Phone Interview Tips That Will Land You A Second Interview. This type of questioning remains popular because it is the most pragmatic way to uncover real-life work experiences. Tell me about a time when you had to convince another staff member or leader, whom you had no direct authority over, to buy into a new idea or project? Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description. Speaking of moving forward, is this a job with room for growth and advancement? 2. Not just your supervisor, but the company overall. Communication has changed during the pandemic, and so should your interview questions. Are you working with a team? Questions and topics to avoid: There are only a few questions and topics that you should avoid in an interview. Remember our little mock scenario above where our candidate seemed eager to wrap up the interview and get out of there? The point is, you want to know before you go. By asking the right questions, you are turning the table on the interviewer and taking control of the room. So there you have it…not only do you now know why you should have good questions to ask during an interview, you also know how to ask them and what to ask them. How do you do this? Now that we have the categories outlined, we can start really drilling down with these questions to ask the interviewer. Finding out early on if you’re going to be working with a good team or a horrible team can make your decision process an easy one. [Related: How to Interview for Culture Fit]. 1. This is an opportunity to mine for knowledge, not show off or make the hiring manager feel stupid or confused. Again, as we’ve said over and over again, the ultimate goal of any job you take is to help advance you on your career path and the last thing you want to do is take a dead end job with no hope of ever moving forward or growing. Imagine this…you’re a hiring manager and you’ve just had a potential candidate interview with you. Of course, as always, these are example questions meant to help you write your own. What was the outcome? Please don’t ask simple to Google questions about the company. What are you getting hired to do? For a full list of questions about the job go to good interview questions to ask. Their answers to your questions are pretty solid and you’re wrapping up the interview. This question helps to make sure you know exactly what you’re going to be doing and what is expected of you. Prepare at least 4 or 5 questions to ask the interviewer. Even better if they can measure the results or articulate how their resolution contributed to longer-term gains. Like favorite animals and if they were stranded on an island, who would they want to be stranded with? The last thing you want to do is to work somewhere where you’re miserable and a good way to get a feel for that is to ask the hiring manager what it is that keeps them coming in day after day. If I were a hiring manager, I would be blown away by this question. Just like you’ve tailored all your responses so far, tailoring your questions only helps to reinforce the idea that you’re the perfect candidate!