The “Mystery of the Interview” I feel will continue to elude most of us and that’s ok, it is not something that you can totally prepare for. If you have been invited to an interview, then you’re already halfway there! All you can do is know the job ad back to front, research the company, check out the “Meet the Team” function if they have it on their web page, know your CV back to front and feel free to take a hard copy of your CV and the job ad with you to refer to.
Another way to set yourself apart from other applicants is to be ready when asked “Do you have any questions about the role?” what you can ask can go a long way to helping you learn about the role-and even impress the employer.
Asking insightful, thoughtful questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of the role you’re applying for and ensure it’s a good fit for you. It can also be a good “strategic” move that sets you apart from other candidates as it demonstrates your interest in the position and the company.
I’ve put together a few suggestions for you for your next interview, so you’re locked and loaded with your interview prep work to “Crush the Mystery”!
The Role and Expectations
- Could you tell me why this position has become available?
- What would a typical day in this role look like?
- What do you think are the three key qualities someone needs to shine in this role?
- How long do you think it would take someone to be up and running in this position?
Leadership Style
- How would you describe your leadership style?
- If a staff member comes to you with a problem, how do you usually address it?
- How do you like to delegate tasks?
- How do you monitor the performance of individual team members?
- What would you like me to know about you as a leader?
The Team
- Would I be working with a small or large team, and can you tell me a little more about the people I’d be working with?
- Who would I be reporting to and what would my contact with that person look like?
- Will I have a chance to meet my potential manager or colleagues during this process?
- How would you describe the dynamics of the team that I’d be working with?
- If I’m successful, do you have someone in my team who would act as a mentor or “buddy” for the first little while?
Company Culture
If you have done your research on the company, then you may know the answer to some of these questions. For example, employee appreciation, company paid employee development opportunities, casual dress and so on.
- How would you describe the workplace culture?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What would your staff say the most challenging thing about working here is?
- What are some of the biggest opportunities the company has now and what does this mean for the staff?
- What makes people want to continue working at this company?
Training and Development
These questions can help you find out if and how the company could help you stay on top of the latest news and best practices in your industry. For example, you may want to find out if you’d be able to attend conferences or register for online courses.
- What types of professional development opportunities are offered?
- If I was offered this role, is there any training you think I’d need to undertake immediately?
- What do you imagine the career path to be for someone in this role?
- How do you help your team members to grow and develop professionally?
- Can you tell me about your employee performance review processes?
Next Steps
Learning more about the key objectives of the organisation will help to determine how you can play a part in achieving them. Asking about goals can also help you get a feel for the company’s performance and any struggles it may be facing.
- What is the company strategic plan for the next 12 months, and how will it impact this role?
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
- Could you tell me the timeline for deciding and when you think I can expect to hear from you?
- Is there anything else you need from me to help make your decision?
- Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you think is important for me to know about working here?
These questions can help you determine whether the role is right for you, and show your potential employer that you’re enthusiastic, interested, and prepared. When its your turn for questions, ask a range of them (not all😊) so you can close off your interview with confidence.