Never underestimate the power of asking questions in an interview. Smart questions. Curious questions. The right questions. But what makes a good question anyway?
After (or during) an interview, there’s the moment of “Do you have any questions?”. Don’t be caught off guard and please don’t say, “No, I’m all set.”
Questions serve different purposes for both you and for the person who is answering them (and learning about you in the process).
Questions showcasing knowledge
My father, a physician, was recently in the hospital and had to get an EKG. He was asking questions like (and I’m paraphrasing and probably wrong) “What lead is that coming from?” and “What’s the PR interval?”. These are questions that you can only ask if you know what you’re looking for and what problems you’re trying to solve.
If you’re interviewing for a sales role, asking about what CRM the company uses and what their sales process looks like showcases that you know what a CRM is (and likely have used one if you care enough to ask). Knowing what types of tools are used in a role and asking how they are used at the company where you’re interviewing is an easy question to ask. If the company doesn’t have any tools it also can be a red flag and something to explore further.
Questions showcasing your research
I work with an ad agency that has done some really cool campaigns. They LOVE when people ask about them in the interview process. It shows that they did research and gives insight into what is most interesting to them.
People typically prepare questions in an interview about the job and the company culture, but having some questions in your back pocket that you know won’t already be answered during the conversation is always a good idea. Asking about a company's work, specific clients, news articles, podcasts, etc. is always a great idea.
Questions showcasing your experience
Think about how you do what you do, and then think about how to ask how the company does what they want you to do. For example, if you’re a Digital Media Manager, ask about the company’s process for launching campaigns. Find out who does what? Ask probing questions about the nuances of the work (like typical ROAS). Use terms that only someone who does what you do would know. If appropriate, tell a story about how you have approached similar situations - this is your opportunity to shine.
Questions that show you care
Ask the person who is interviewing about them. People love to talk about themselves. Find out why they started with the company and what they like about working there. Ask about how they got started in the industry. If you’ve researched them, it’s okay to reference that as well. This will give you authentic insight into the company culture and showcases that you are interested in the people, not just the paycheck.
Questions to know what’s next
Don’t be afraid to ask about next steps. Also ask if there is anything else you can provide. If you have prior work samples that are appropriate to share or reference letters from previous employers, ask if you can share them and to whom. Make sure you have the email addresses of everyone you’ve interviewed with to send follow-up thank you messages. If you don’t, ask someone if all of the emails are a standard format (like first.lastname@) or see if HR can provide you with everyone’s info.
#interviewtips #jobsearch #interviewing #hiring
