Earlier this month, TERRA CEO Greg Lambert sat down with Stephen Hitt, Barry Napier, and Jeremy Donner of the Industrious Radio Show podcast, to discuss “How to Nail Your Next Job Interview.”
They talked about what to do (and what not to do) during a job interview and shared some really great insight on the interview process.
One thing that was stressed was the importance of asking questions.
According to Greg, coming prepared with two or three questions to ask at the end of an interview can really make a big impact.
But it’s important to make sure that you’re asking the right questions.
Here are 4 key questions you should ask during the interview:
1. What led you to this job?
Understanding the employer’s background and experience helps give you a better grasp of the career path in this role. This question helps clarify timelines and the skill set needed to be successful in this role.
2. What does success look like in the position?
Everyone wants to know how to set themselves up for success. And who better to get that information from than the person who will be evaluating your accomplishments?
3. What expectations would you have of me in the first 30-60 days?
This is a great question. Don’t you want to know what you’ll be held accountable for in your first few months in your new role? Clarifying expectations up front ensures both you and your employer are on the same page from the beginning.
4. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the company right now?
This position is open for a reason, and asking this question may help you comprehend why. If you find the challenges to be too difficult, it’s better that you know before you accept a role and set yourself up for failure.
Bonus Ninja Question
Want to pre-close the job? Ask a question that allows the employer to envision you in the position.
For example: How can you see me succeeding in this role?
This will not only enable the interviewer to imagine you as their employee, it allows them to envision themselves as your supervisor.
Questions or topics to avoid during the interview:
- Try to refrain from any questions about pay or benefits. Save those for the second or third interview, when they’re more appropriate.
- Avoid negative talk about past jobs, supervisors or coworkers – it doesn’t portray you in a positive light either.
- Avoid talking about hobbies or sharing other personal information that may make the interviewer uncomfortable.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to ask all of these questions. Two questions are probably plenty. But it’s always a great idea to have some questions ready. It will show your interviewer that you are taking the job seriously.
Not only that, questions are great to have because an interview is two-way. They are trying to decide if you are right for the job, but you are also trying to determine if the job is right for you.
To hear more in-depth interview advice, check out the entire podcast below. It’s loaded with great tips on how to best prepare for (and crush!) your next job interview.
How TERRA Can Help You
TERRA is comprised of 11 offices in the Seattle, Portland and Phoenix metro markets.
We can connect you to many employers currently hiring in your area.
Check out our current job openings.Don’t see what you’re looking for? Call us. New jobs become available daily and the sooner we know of your interests, the sooner we can work with you to find the right fit.