6. What Can You Tell Me About Your Plans For Growth or New Products?
Ensure you tailor this particular question to your particular needs. Do your research on the employer’s website before hand and try and mention a new product or service the company is launching to display your research and interest. The answer to this question will also give you a good indication as to where the company is heading.
7. Who Held This Position Previously?
This simple question is a great way to find out whether this person was promoted, fired, quit or they retired. This also provides a clue to whether there is an opportunity for advancement, employees are dissatisfied, or the business is in chaos etc. This is a great way to know any problems or past history associated with this position. The answer will tell you about management’s expectations and how the company is planning to grow.
8. What Is The Top Priority For The Next Person in This Position Over The Next Three Months?
This is an extremely helpful question and allows you to know what to focus on if you do get this position. Without clear expectations, you will not know what to accomplish or how to make the right impression when you start your first day of work.
9. What Are Some Challenges That Will Face The Person Filling This Position?
Although many may shy away from this question, you owe it to yourself to understand the potential struggles and exactly what you are up against. The potential drawbacks may differ depending on whether the position is managerial or entry-level. As a manager, you may oversee a department that is on a strict, tight budget. As entry-level you could face working odd hours or stuck with assignments that become a little repetitive. If the interviewer denies there is any downside whatsoever, this should raise doubts about their credibility.
10. Do You Have Any Worries About My Qualifications?
Asking a question like this lets the interviewer know you’re secure in your own qualifications and also secure enough to openly discuss your vulnerabilities. Rather than skimming over your shortcomings, address them and put up a respectful and reasonable defence, but also highlight your desire to want to improve. It also exhibits your confidence and the ability to be coached. Coachability is a highly attractive attribute.
11. What Is The Next Step In The Process?
This is your closing and a great final question. As a candidate you should be interested to know what happens after this point. It shows that you are eager to keep moving along in the process and invited the interviewer to potentially tell you how many people are in the running for the position.
As a potential candidate, the key to a great interview is for you to find out as much as you can about your potential employer. Asking these 11 questions will not only make you appear more committed as a candidate, it will also give you a better insight into both the challenges and opportunities that may lie ahead of you.