20 Interview Questions to ask Your Recruiter to Seal The Deal!

A job interview is a two way street and you will only seal the deal if you ask the right interview questions yourself.

You know the drill, the hiring manager is working hard to determine if you’re a good fit for the role, and you should be trying to work out whether the role is a good fit for you. That means wearing a few different hats when you’re in the hot seat.

On one hand, you’re ‘in the zone’ answering questions and making a good impression with information about yourself and just the right amount of banter (of course). On the other hand, you should be checking the position’s relevance to your background and career goals. To seal a deal for a job you actually enjoy requires this second part… you have to pick them, just as much as they have to pick you.

So consider this: equally important to the questions you’re asked are the questions you ask to the interviewer. The right questions will help you determine if the role is a good fit for you, but more importantly the right questions will also help boost the interviewer’s opinion of you as a prospective candidate.

Hiring managers tend to remember and decide on candidates that are actively engaged with the role and the company.  There is a real risk that they will be disappointed when you don’t ask them anything about the practicalities of day-to-day life at the job.

To help you think about which questions you should ask in your next interview (hint: not these), try some of these interview questions to seal the deal.

 

The “Day in the Life” Questions:

• What can you tell me about the role that isn’t in the description?
• Can you walk me through a typical day here?
• What was the primary struggle for the last person in this position?
• Will I be working with a team? How is the work divided and managed?
• What about my manager? Do you know anything about their management style?
• What is the most challenging time of (day, week, month, or year) for a person in the job? Why?
• What do you think is the most important skill for the person performing this job?

 

Great Career or Career Opportunity Track Questions:

• How do you think the person in the role might progress at the company? Are there prospects for growth?
• Is there a process for employee feedback or review? What does that look like?
• Why is this position open currently?
• Is this a new position or was there someone previously in this role?

 

Smart Questions about the Company:

• Where do you see the company in 5 years? 10 years?
• What can you tell me about this organisation that isn’t widely known?
• Do you feel that the work environment is more collaborative or more independent?
• How many people have joined the company in the last year?
• How do you feel about the company’s position in the industry? What do you feel makes the company different? (For this one, make sure you have your own answer prepared as well.)

 

The Top 4 Questions about the Company Culture:

• What do you love most about working here?
• Is there time set aside to get to know people in other departments?
• What kinds of team building activities do you do?
• How do you think the culture has changed at the company over the past year?

 

The … So What’s Next?  Type of Questions:

• Is there anything else I can do for you? Writing samples or other references?
• When do you expect to make a decision?
• When do you anticipate the person in this job will start work?
• Who should I stay in touch with (get name, job title, and contact information)?

 

There you have it. Pick a few of these to ask, and get the need to know information about your potential new role.

You’ve got the interview because you’ve impressed with your resume.  Now, you need to prove that you are the right candidate for the job, so ensure to come prepared and ask some smart interview questions.

Good luck with your next job interview. Do your best and always remember to hunt wisely!

Uli