In our Blogpost 6 Tips for a Successful Job Interview we stressed the importance of asking questions at a job interview. Honest curiosity for a job is great, however sometimes it is difficult to know which questions to ask. If you ask any of these five questions at a job interview you are sure to impress the employer.
1) What does a typical work day in this job look like?
This question shows the interviewer, that you are already imagining yourself in the new role. At the same time, the answer will give you a good idea of what a typical day in the company looks like and describes what future tasks may be.
2) How was this job role created? What triggered your department to create this job role?
You can find out if the position has just been created, if it is a stepping stone to further career opportunities or if it shows no prospects.
3) How would you describe your company culture?
The answer to this question will show you what values the company's culture is based on and how important the happiness of their employees is to them. It also may give you an idea of how well you would fit into the team.
4) What did people who has this role before me do, to successfully complete their tasks?
Of course, this question only applies if it is not a newly created role. You can find out how the company measures success. This will help you see how high the expectations will be and if you have the required skills to meet these expectations. Although you should not be intimidated if the person before you had a different approach to the job as you would. People solve problems and tasks differently.
5) Which tasks will have a high priority in the position over the coming three months?
You can find out what the focus of this role is by asking this question. You will also receive important information about what duties await you in the first days in this job, so you can make a good impression right from the start should you get the role.
Difficult questions
If you ask questions like "Will I get the position?" you could come across as impatient and too direct. In Switzerland, all kinds of questions related to salary, social benefits or holiday days should not be addressed in the first interview. The reason for this is that your employer could think that you are primarily interested in the monetary aspects of the job. Also, anyone who asks questions just for the sake of asking something without showing a real interest will most likely be exposed.
You can find information on how to prepare for a job interview in our Coopers Interview Preparation Kit. We wish you the best of luck with these questions at your next job interview!
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