Getting called in for a job interview is a pivotal moment in the job search process. Something in your resume, cover letter or previous interview (since there are often several rounds of interviews for a job), impressed the hiring manager enough to make them think you might be a good fit for the role. While most people know it’s essential to prepare for an interview and practice your responses (informational and mock interviews are great ways to prep), less attention is paid toward the questions you should be asking the interviewer. Whether the queries are aimed at finding out more about the position or company, take advantage of the opportunity to get answers to some of your most pressing questions. The Cut outlines some key questions to ask:
Can you describe a typical day or week in the job? Learning more about a “typical day” at work can help you to understand how treatment side effects might impact you on the job. If extreme fatigue is an issue and a typical week entails running between meetings and working a lot of overtime at evening events, that’s something to consider. If you receive a short, generic response like “Every day is different”, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions. Ask what took up most of the previous employee’s time and attention.
How would you describe the company culture? The majority of our days are spent at work, so getting a feel for work environment you’ll be stepping into every day is critical! Do you prefer to work in a more buttoned-up, formal office or do you thrive in a more laid-back, congenial workplace? Although you won’t learn the inner workings of a place until you’re there day-to-day, getting a better understanding of what for you’re signing up for, might prevent any major surprises down the road.
What do you like about working here? You can learn a lot by the way an interviewer responds to this question. If they like their job/company, they’ll probably have a lot to share and will usually sound genuine/excited. Take note of any non-verbal cues too, like long silences or blank stares, which could serve as red flags.
To see The Cut’s complete list of “10 Impressive Questions to ask in a Job Interview,” click here .
Want more information on mastering the interview process? Check out CAC’s articles with tips on interviewing, in the Looking for Work section of our website. Our archived Job Search webinar is also a great resource if you want to learn how to sharpen your interviewing skills.