So, what questions do you have?
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When you are being interviewed for a position, you may well be asked “Do you have any questions?” People often don’t know how to respond to this, and may be thrown. What does a good answer to this question look like?
Don’t ask questions that are focused on ‘What’s in it for me?”
Examples:
While you may need to ask practical questions about holidays and qualifications because they affect your decision, these questions should be asked at the point when the manager has decided that they want you in the team, and makes an offer. Discussions about your long-term career prospects are best not asked until you’ve delivered an outstanding result in your current role!
Do ask questions about “How can I contribute?”
Your objective is to continue the same feeling of shared purpose, and to convey your interest in being a high value contributor to the manager’s team. Find your own words for these questions, but they may go along the following lines:
While the distinction between the ME focus and the HELPING focus is clear in the questions above – your approach must above all be genuine. Work out a question or two that uses your own words, and that you feel comfortable asking.
Practice asking these questions when you are NOT in an interview.
Asking about vision and challenges are great questions to use when talking with someone from another area at coffee breaks, conferences, and casual time before meetings. You can go on to ask about what’s needed from the team to overcome the challenges. People love it when others show an interest in their objectives, challenges and progress. You’ll build a great network, and you’ll develop a natural style for asking questions that show interest and collaboration. You might even unearth a career opportunity or two!
The Takeaway
It’s the questions you ask that can make you stand out; put some thought into asking great ones!
Don’t ask questions that are focused on ‘What’s in it for me?”
Examples:
- “I have a holiday planned in August, would I still be able to take this?”
- “Would you fund me to get a Diploma in Marketing?”
- “If I took this job, where would you see my career going?”
While you may need to ask practical questions about holidays and qualifications because they affect your decision, these questions should be asked at the point when the manager has decided that they want you in the team, and makes an offer. Discussions about your long-term career prospects are best not asked until you’ve delivered an outstanding result in your current role!
Do ask questions about “How can I contribute?”
Your objective is to continue the same feeling of shared purpose, and to convey your interest in being a high value contributor to the manager’s team. Find your own words for these questions, but they may go along the following lines:
- “What’s your vision for where the team is going over the next year or two? What do you want to achieve over the next 6 months?”
- “What are the challenges you are facing right now? What keeps you up at night?”
- “What are the most important ways in which I could help, if I was successful in getting the job? Can you paint me a picture of what the ideal jobholder would do, to help achieve your goals?”
- “If I was successful, who would it be important for me to build excellent relationships with?”
- “What is the culture in the team? I’m wondering what would make you think a person has fitted in fast, and really contributed to morale?”
While the distinction between the ME focus and the HELPING focus is clear in the questions above – your approach must above all be genuine. Work out a question or two that uses your own words, and that you feel comfortable asking.
Practice asking these questions when you are NOT in an interview.
Asking about vision and challenges are great questions to use when talking with someone from another area at coffee breaks, conferences, and casual time before meetings. You can go on to ask about what’s needed from the team to overcome the challenges. People love it when others show an interest in their objectives, challenges and progress. You’ll build a great network, and you’ll develop a natural style for asking questions that show interest and collaboration. You might even unearth a career opportunity or two!
The Takeaway
It’s the questions you ask that can make you stand out; put some thought into asking great ones!