Three Question to Ask Every Interviewer

At some point in their life, everyone will encounter the interview process whether when applying for a job or going on your first date, you will be berated with questions designed to get to know you and extract information. You probably spend most of your time preparing for these questions, making elaborate stories to questions such as “What’s you biggest weakness?” Or “Where do you plan to be in 5 years?” (Both questions are indications of a bad interviewer, by the way).

However, the most important question that an interviewer asks you will be “Do you have any questions for me?”. This is not only your time to shine but also your opportunity to learn more about the person or company that you are going to be working for soon. If you get the role, you should know what you’re getting into.
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Here are 3 questions you should always ask an interviewer at the end of an interview.

1. What is your favourite part of working here?

• This is a question that always surprises an interviewer, because they never prepare answers to questions that you’ll pose. If they truly enjoy working at that company, they’ll have a more genuine answer than the people or the environment. Someone who really enjoys the company should be able to answer that question honestly and thoroughly when ever they are asked that question. If you sense hesitation or they can’t give you an answer that may be an indication that you need to do more research on that company. Remember, you’re going to be working not only with the interviewer but with everyone else there. You should know what’s great about working there before you sign on the dotted line.

2. What can I do in this world to make your job easier?

• Nothing would make an interviewer’s life better than finding the right person for the right job. One of the ways that you can show them that you are the person for the job is to know exactly what their expectations are and show how you can fill or exceed those expectations when you get the job By asking how you can make their life easier, they can tell you exactly what their main problem is and what your role would do to improve their life in this moment. This will also help you in the future if after three or six months you’re having a performance review and you can then pull back to your interview and say this is what you said would make your life easier and here is what I have accomplished to do that. Again, this is the way that you can surprise the interviewer by posing a question they may not have thought of previously. It will also give you insight into what this roles responsibilities and expectations are so that you can go into it with a good sense of what you need to do.

3. Do you have any reservations or concerns about me taking this role?

• Everyone has left an interview feeling that they could’ve done one more thing to improve their chances of getting the job. The only way you’re truly going to know if you did everything you could do to get the job is to just ask. The worst answer you can get from this question is no there’s nothing you could have done. If they have any genuine concerns such as scheduling or skills with a certain application, you can then address it right away by taking the time to say what you would do to assure them that you would be confident in the role. Also, this opens the door for you to address any concerns you have about the role, such as any expectations they may have that you feel would be out of scope for that role. You wouldn’t want to take a job as a fry cook and then expect to do accounting duties as well.

So, there we have it!
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Whether it’s a first date, first job or your dream job, these are the questions you need to pose in order to elevate you in the eyes of the employer. Remember that you should know what you are getting into, and there’s nothing worse that buyers’ remorse after 3 months of employment. Even a dream job and turn into a nightmare if it’s with the wrong boss or company. So, take the time and ask those questions that you need answered, and get the company to sell itself to you. You are worth it!