News Article

INTERVIEW TIPS - Most Job Hunters Fail When Answering This Popular Interview Question

Posted 1st March 2022 • Written by Robin Ryan on forbes.com •

A recent discussion with an HR Director at T-Mobile centered around defining the top mistakes people make in the interview. He said: “I judge candidates by the questions they ask. That’s what’s most revealing to me. I want someone focused on succeeding in the job and not just centered on how much money I will pay him. Unfortunately, most candidates are unprepared for this question and bomb it.”

These are some vital questions you want answers to in order to get a clearer picture of that boss and the job.

Avoid Doing This

The worse thing any job hunter can do is respond to the “Do you have any questions?” probe by answering “No.” The employer will be unimpressed. You missed a critical opportunity to learn more about the job and help you decide if you want it.

Next, no questions about salary, benefits, PTO, medical coverage, sick leave, $401K, etc. Wait until after you have the job offer to review all these details, as some are negotiable. One exception is people in sales. Most employers do cover upfront how they reward you detailing the base salary and commission or bonus structure since this information determines whether you are in the ballpark for this role there.

Questions You Should Ask

People have a hard time thinking up their questions. The questions you ask are strictly job-related and cover the job duties. Prepare a list of pertinent questions that you would like answered to determine if this position is a good fit for you. Type out your questions in advance so you are ready. Ten questions are a reasonable number to have on your list. Questions may have been answered during the interview. Do bring up anything the employer mentioned that you want to know more about. If by chance he has already responded to every question, say this: “As I check over my list, my questions on your software programs and budgets were covered. So, you’ve covered everything already.”

Address these questions to the hiring manager or decision-maker:

Could you describe to me your typical management style and the type of employee that works well with you?

What do you want to see accomplished in the first six months to view the person as a success in this role?

What are the day-to-day responsibilities I’ll have in this job?

How has the Covid pandemic effective your part of the business? How has remote work been handled? Any issues or concerns? 

What challenges might I encounter if I take on this position?

Whom will I be supervising?

What are your major concerns that need to be immediately addressed in this job?

Are there any restraints or cutbacks planned that would decrease that budget?

Are you understaffed, and how will that impact the work demands on this job?

Why do you like working for this company?

Do pay attention to any red flags you uncover. Be sure to get these answered in detail. In addition, it is wise to talk with any connections who can shed light on these concerns.

To read the original article click here

Click to see more Interview and CV tips from People First Recruitment to help in your search for a Mandarin speaking job, a Japanese job, a Language job or a job in Supply Chain, Procurement or Demand Planning in London & the UK