10 Interview Questions Job Candidates Should Ask
Make an informed decision about your next job by asking these important questions
By | Kathy Gurchiek | www.shrm.org
Preparing for a job interview can be nerve-wracking. First impressions are important, and how you respond to the interviewer’s questions could land you that job or put your resume at the bottom of the stack of applications.
But the interview session runs both ways: This also is an opportunity to evaluate the company and determine whether it’s a good fit for you, your skills and your values. What you learn can help you make informed decisions and show that you have put some thought into preparing for this important meeting.
And while some questions never go out of style—asking why the position is available, for example—others, such as those about work/life balance initiatives, are more reflective of the changing nature of work, according to Brie Weiler Reynolds, career development manager at Boulder, Colo.-based FlexJobs.
“Especially in the last several years, with major societal shifts and the pandemic impacting every facet of life,” she said, “job seekers should be asking some new questions to make sure they’re making the best professional decisions for themselves.”
Here are some questions FlexJobs suggests asking during your job interview:
- Why is this position available? The answer will tell you whether the previous person was promoted, made a lateral move within the company, was fired or quit. If this is a new position, it would be good to know the history behind its creation.
- When was the last time someone in this position was promoted? This answer can offer insight into career progression and the traits, skill sets and achievements considered most important for advancing at the organization.
Follow up with asking why the person was promoted.
“It’s good to find out what led to that promotion.” Reynolds said. “Was it strictly a tenure-based or seniority-based decision? Were there specific metrics used to determine when the promotion was due? Were goals or milestones met, certifications earned” or particular assignments undertaken that were seen as career movers?
