Remember your first interview for a professional job? Like me, I am sure someone told you to have questions prepared to ask. It can be difficult to come up with questions to ask that will help you vet the company and that the hiring manager thinks are good questions. The tips below may help you if this is your first interview or if you are seasoned veteran.
Hiring Manager / Team tips:
Do’s: Most of us like to understand the team, culture, and what it would be like to work for the manager. Here are some sample questions that will help you understand these areas and what hiring managers might like to hear.
Sample questions to ask:
- What makes someone successful in this role?
- What does a typical day look like?
- What recent successes and recent challenges has the team had?
- Have you implemented any new technologies or processes in the past 6 months?
- What is your favorite thing about working for this company? What is the biggest challenge?
Don’ts: Typically, you don’t want to ask the hiring manager or team about pay, benefits, or work from home policies. If you are interviewing for a contract role then don’t ask about pay or benefits since that is likely handled by your recruiter. Pay, benefits, or policies are best to ask your recruiter.
Human Resources:
Do’s: HR usually is the first or last interview you have with a company. If first, then it is all about them getting to know you. It is best to keep this conversation positive across the board. If this is a direct hire role, then it can be useful to ask about benefits or policies but in a positive way.
Sample questions to ask:
- This is what I learned about your company online (provide info), what else you should I know?
- What makes someone successful at your company?
- What is your favorite thing about working for this company?
- I am open to working any schedule needed, does your company have flex time?
- I am comfortable coming into the office every day, does your company have any kind of work from home policy?
- Do you mind providing some information on your benefits?
Don’ts: Typically, HR won’t have a lot of specific information to provide on technology, so it may be best to avoid those questions until you speak with someone who has an IT background. Plainly asking do you let people work from home or do you have flex time may make the HR rep nervous that you don’t like being in the office or won’t be available for meetings later in the afternoon / early morning. Opening those questions in the manner I suggested in the sample should limit any potential concern.
Always feel free to contact your TNE recruiter before an interview if you would like any advice on what questions to ask in your interview. Hopefully these tips will help you in your next interview and take away some the nervousness when it comes to good questions to ask. Good luck!