Questions to ask at interview

[evedawn]

i've got an interview tomorrow. I've had two others failry recently and get stumped when they say st the end of the intervie'd like to ask" ...i mean the last two interviews the interviewers have very succinctly conveyed the job etc...so i'm not left needing to ask a question...but any hints of "good " questions to ask would be helpful.

also - you know when they ask you to mention any "negatives or faults" one might have....I generaly say that if there is a fault it's that I tend to take ownership of too many things and have difficulty delegating as I believe if I want a job done i tend to do it myself....which is true...but any other hints at a "negative which I can turn into a positive" would be helpful.

[evedawn]

sorry - first paragraph second and third line oughta read...." get stumped when they ask at the end of interview if there are any Q's I might have"

[4getmenot]

questions I have asked

'How many people work here?'
'who are your biggest client?'
Would I be asked to cover other roles within the company when people are on leave? as I would like to be able to experience all aspects of work.


maybe that you are abit of a perfectionist, good for them but often difficult for you to switch off at night. Or that you like things done down to a t which can sometimes mean you send more time than you should on one job.

[joggerjayne]

If I decide to take your job ... can you guys actually afford me ?

[Addy123]

As someone who interviews people as part of my job I'll add a few tips.

When talking about negatives, it's always bst to refer to them as "areas for improvement". It's great that you have identified something that you could improve on. Rather than say you have diffilculty delegating, say delegating is always a work in progress, because you believe in order to delegate you need to do the task at least once to ensure you are being clear in what you expect when you do delegate.

Try and think of anything that you personally would like to be better at and what support you think you would need to be better-this will throw up loads of questions for you to ask.
What training is available? Are there opportunities for outside training to help you progress, and would they support this? Again, good questions to ask.
Don't be afraid to write your questions down prior to going in and referencing them at the end. And remember, an interview is not just about whether you are right for them, but whether they are the right company for you-it's a two way thing. Good Luck!

[Addy123]

A good way to identify areas for improvement is to think, If your current employer or best friend was asked to give 3 words that described Evedawn positively does really well what would they say?
Likewise if they were asked to name 2-3 things Evedawn was better at what would they say?

Don't umm and arrr over things you can improve on or say "nothing really", it drives interviewers mad and shows a lack of self analysis lol!

[Addy123]

^^^ sorry sould say could be better at lol! typing would be mine eh?

[evedawn]

Thank you all so much. Your tips are appreciated and 4getmenot and Addy 123 have bought up some very valid ideas. Joggerjayne...well yours was good too cos it made me laugh!!!

[Eve]

Depends on the job really.

Opportunities for development and training could be one if applicable. Progression is a difficult one as it may lead them to think you want something they might not be able to give, unless it is really important to you and you'd reconsider if there wasn't any potential for career progression.

You could ask questions about who you would be working with, the kind of team structure, things like caseload.

[4getmenot]

also when would they let you know the outcome, and would they let you know either way

[joggerjayne]

=0)

Don't undersell yourself.

You need the job, but ... they need you too !!!

[tamborine]

Never admit to personal negatives; keep all q & a relative to the work. ie prospects/salary/contracts/dress code/work region etc.

[4getmenot]

I thought it was wrong to ask about sallary until you were offered job

[joggerjayne]

No, 4get ... that's celery !!

Never ask about the celery until you've got the job.

[evedawn]

yes jenna - opportunities for development is something I am very keen to ask, (as in reality i am looking at this job as a "step up" and a way to progress in the future...but really don't want to come across as "too ambitious" for this particular role.

[joggerjayne]

Asking about "celery" at the interview just makes you look weird ...

... which is not good for your prospects of getting the job.

[4getmenot]

Oh cr@p it maybe I didnt do so well in interview today then jogger

[4getmenot]

where do you want to be in 5 years time?

[joggerjayne]

Oh no, 4get ... you just HAD to ask about the celery, right ?

=0D

[evedawn]

earlier Addy you said not to worry about writing my Q's down and referring to them at the end of interview...that'd help me but surely it looks unprofessional...almost like I can't remeber what Q's i wanted to ask? I'd be interested to hear your take on this as you interview people as part of your role.

[Addy123]

Sorry, me again lol! One of the best interviewees I ever had asked for feedback at the end of the interview and initial impressions (which put me on the spot!)

I was very honest and told him his knowledge was excellent and his presentation had been good to, but he had shown a tendency to over talk, which could have been down to nerves. I told him to listen to himself when he answered questions and if he felt he had made his point to look to close down his commentary.

he got a second interview and was superb, got the job and is now a top performer.