Questions I Should Ask During an Interview

Job interviews are a two-way street. Just as you need a position to further your career goals and earn income, the interviewer needs an employee to fulfill essential job duties. Not all company cultures and procedures are alike. Ask questions to get an idea of how well you would fit into the company before making the assumption that the job is best for your goals.

Employer Ideals

Although this information may be stated in the job description, ask for examples of employer ideals. Learn what makes an employee successful in the position you are applying for. Ask how performance is measured for the position and surrounding positions such as supervisors or support staff. Learn the other roles in the department in which you would be working and how the role was filled prior to the creation of the new position.

Physical Demands

Physical demands are not always apparent in a job description. Always ask whether travel, heavy lifting or overtime hours are required. You may not be opposed to the work, but having the information in advance can help you compare job offers as they arise. If you are unable to perform certain job duties due to medical constraints, you can rule out the possibility without wasting time with further interviews. These factors may also come into play when you begin to negotiate a salary, especially if overtime pay is not offered.

Cultural Norms

In all companies, employees have a culture in which they operate. Company culture is another way of saying "how things are done" in a business. Cultural norms are unspoken rules, such as whether employees all prefer to work independently or all gravitate towards one another on team projects. Company culture could also include how social employees are as it relates to office birthday parties or holiday events.

If you prefer a solo environment, working in an office with overly social employees can become uncomfortable. Asking questions about past employee events and relationships can help to give you an idea of their daily interaction in the workplace.

Job Tools

Some jobs are dependent upon external equipment. If you are applying for a position where specialized equipment is needed, learn the specific brands and models of equipment available. For example, if you are a graphic designer, having only a Paint program and Adobe Reader is not sufficient to perform your duties. Ask your employer what equipment exists and how the company handles equipment and software updates to be sure you have everything you would need to complete assigned tasks.

References

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Questions to Ask Employers During Interviews
• Careerbuilder.com: The Best Questions to Ask in the Interview