Evaluating your potential employer during job interviews!

What do you say when the hiring manager wraps up the job interview and says: Do you have any questions for us? Average employees respond to this question by saying: “No, I think you’ve covered everything very well”. Well, you have just passed on your chance to ask some critical questions that may determine whether you really want to work for this company or not. Great candidates understand that being on an interview is a critical time for them to find out insider information about the company or the position. They formulate questions based on the information they hear during the interview to make up their minds on whether the company is the best place for them to thrive or not. Akhtaboot provides you with some questions great candidates usually ask during job interviews.

How would a typical day in this position be like?

This question reflects your interest in landing the position. It shows that you want to hit the ground running. Great candidates think ahead about what holding the position will actually be like as opposed to just getting through the interview. They want to make a difference, right away! They are dedicated, hardworking people with a dream to accomplish so much, yet they feel they don’t have enough time on their hands.

What does it take for me to be a top performer at your company?

Great candidates want to be great long-term employees. Every organization has a unique set of qualities that are needed to excel on the job. Some of the key qualities companies look for in employees are the ability to handle pressure and long working hours, creativity or being helpful to colleagues. That’s why great candidates need to know such information ahead of time because they want to know if they fit in, and if they do, they want to be top performers.

What are the main activities that I should focus on to drive results for the company?

Employees are investments, and every employee should generate a positive return on his or her salary. In every job some activities make a bigger impact on the companies’ overall objectives than others. Great candidates like to work at maximum efficiency to get exceptional results in less time. In short, great candidates want to know what truly makes a difference. They know helping the company succeed means they succeed as well.

Do you have any reservations regarding my compatibility to this position?

Great candidates are not afraid to face brutal facts about themselves. They understand that asking such questions can be awkward but can also help them nail the job. Clearing the air about any doubts the interviewer might have about you is the way to go.

What is your timeline for getting back to me about the next steps? 

Great candidates need to know what to expect next ad they usually have other options and opportunities elsewhere. If they don’t hear anything from the company, they will send a follow up email.  Many employers see the follow up as a keen show of interest in working at their company.

A great candidate doesn’t just want to know what you think; they want to know what you plan to do and how they will fit into those plans. So if you want to earn a place in the great candidate category, you should be prepared. Keep in mind that timing is important; you will have to use your judgment about the number of questions you can ask and when to ask them.

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