Comments on: Interview Question: What questions do you have for me?

By: Scot Herrick

Scot Herrick — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:28:23 +0000

Ruth…this has been what I continue to push and you nailed it: “I'm shopping for an employer as much as the employer is shopping for an employee!!”

This is exactly the case. Now, you may have to compromise over all sorts of things (any job for money when you have none…), but at least YOU are the person making the the choice with open eyes. But if you don't take the position that you are shopping for an employer because you have value to offer, then you'll never get to job satisfaction.

Oh, we're adults too? ;o)

By: Ruth Portnoy

Ruth Portnoy — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:31:14 +0000

That's the thing. We ARE adults. And theoretically, we're working toward a common goal. I also feel more strongly than ever that I'm shopping for an employer as much as the employer is shopping for an employee!! God knows I've figured out enough about what a bad boss is. Fortunately, there still are some good ones.

By: Ruth Portnoy

Ruth Portnoy — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:28:24 +0000

OMG. This post is so on the mark! It's hard these days to stand out in an interview. But showing you know about the company and really care about the work is certainly one way. I actually love that open-ended question. I come prepared with something to ask that is related to the work I would be doing. I like to ask how the potential manager handles the assignments given to the employee. Does this person like to confer frequently? Does she prefer to let the employee do the work independently? I also try to find out more about the sorts of challenges the company is looking to overcome, to assess how I can help. But you have to be subtle. Information like that can help if you are asked BACK for another round.

By: Weekend Reading: 03-06-10

Weekend Reading: 03-06-10 — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:32:39 +0000

[...] Interview question: What questions do you have for me? [...]

By: Scot Herrick

Scot Herrick — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:21:40 +0000

Although I usually go for “fit” questions to find out if your work style will fit in with the manager and your new coworkers, you can also ask some questions about how people do the job itself. So a good question to ask is “describe for me what the person does during the day to get the job done.”

This tells you a bit about what you will get into and if it will be right for you. It also will tell you what the manager knows about how the job is done (you know…the magic stuff…).

By: Cyrus

Cyrus — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:33:19 +0000

I just want to say that this is a great topic to discuss. I've been on the job hunt for a few months now and have already had one interview that I felt I wasn't prepared for because I didn't have any questions ready (nor did I do enough research on the company). I'll certainly be ready next time.

By: Scot Herrick

Scot Herrick — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:18:07 +0000

Not me. I like adult conversations where we use our business knowledge to get to answers, not power plays or wishy-washy answers.

By: Christine Livingston

Christine Livingston — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:36:54 +0000

This is fantastic advice, Scot. I find that a lot of people forget that they are making as much of a decision as the hiring manager. They think that the onus is on them to prove themselves and forget that, if they're offered the job, they then have to live in it for the next few years prospectively.

Even if you ask a hiring manager a question like that brilliant one “Tell me about a time you had to give tough news to one of your employees about their performance. How did you handle that?” and they bullshit or bottle it, you'll get an answer to your question. Do people really want to work for managers who bullshit or bottle….?

By: katherinemoody

katherinemoody — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:33:17 +0000

Good point, Scot. Glad you pointed that out. My candidate screenings are always on the phone though webcam interviews are coming soon. And you're right, people often underprepare for phone screenings/interviews and for interviews with the recruiter!

By: Scot Herrick

Scot Herrick — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:23:38 +0000

Not being ready with this up front is just a deal breaker -- and to ask it up front can really show whether or not the candidate came prepared. Too many people formulate their questions as the conversation goes on expecting to have the questioning turn over to them at the end. This is a really good example for the need to prepare.

And note Katherine's point here -- this is on the phone interview where people usually prepare less than for a face-to-face interview.

There is another post on Cube Rules about how you can use the job description (usually the only documentation you can get that is specific to the job) to formulate interview questions. Other company questions, of course, can come from the company web site.

Thanks, Katherine, for sharing a great point on being prepared. (I promise not to let your secret out...)