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 a seasoned veteran.
Hiring Manager / Team tips:
Dos: Most of us like to understand the team, culture, and what the manager would be like to work for. Here are some sample questions that will help you understand these areas and what hiring managers might like to hear.
Sample questions to ask:
1. What makes someone successful in this role?
2. What does a typical day look like?
3. What recent successes has the team had and what recent challenges?
4. Have you implemented any new technologies and/or processes in the past 6 months?
5. 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 or benefits. 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:
Dos: 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:
1. This is what I learned about your company online (provide info), what else you would like to add?
2. What makes someone successful at your company?
3. What is your favorite thing about working for this company?
4. I am open to working any schedule needed, does your company have flex time or a specific schedule?
5. Do you mind providing some information on your benefits?
Don’ts: Typically HR won’t have a lot of specific info to provide on technology, so it may be best to avoid those questions until you speak with someone who has an IT background. You typically don’t want to ask about pay since your TNE recruiter will help you negotiate the salary and if you are interviewing for a contract role then don’t ask about pay or benefits since that is likely handled by your recruiter.
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 of the nervousness when it comes to good questions to ask.