The questions you ask in an interview are equally important to the responses you give to the employers questions. Your questions demonstrate the depth of your industry and company knowledge, and can also indicate the way you think and analyze problems.
Here are 5 types of interview questions you can ask, that will wow an employer:
- Industry trends – research the current trends in the industry, and ask them how they think a particular trend will affect their business. Be prepared for them to turn the question around on you, and ask you what you think about it before they respond. This question demonstrates that you are knowledgeable about the industry, strategic, and can think big picture – all of which are signs of a leader.
- In my first 90 days of employment, what is the biggest thing that I could help get done? This shows that you are focused on the value that you can provide to the company, instead of what they can do for you.
- What do your competitors do better than you? The answer will give you an idea of the company’s weaknesses, and what they are potentially working on to improve. If you can then communicate how you would be a valuable person in the process of improvement, the more likely you are to get a job offer.
- What is your strategy for securing your place in the market place and ensuring that your competitors do not encroach upon your market share? This question lets them know that you think strategically, and is a good test of the hiring managers knowledge about the industry and the company’s competitors.
- At the end of the interview – Do you have any hesitations about my background or my ability to do the job? The question itself doesn’t necessarily impress, but the way you handle their response does. Often times, if there is a glaring issue with your candidacy, the employer will tell you exactly what it is. This gives you a chance to respond and overcome their hesitation. It will also give you an idea of where your weaknesses are as a candidate, which is helpful to know for future interviews if you don’t get the offer.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to wait until the end of the interview to ask your questions. An interview should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation! Asking questions throughout the interview will create a natural flow of information back and forth, and overall a pleasant conversation!
