Questions to Ask Potential Employers

The interview is one of the most daunting and complex parts of the recruitment process. It can be intimidating because it is often seen as a one-way conversation, almost an interrogation. Countless questions are asked of you with a potential "right" answer. Notes are jotted down as you speak much like the archetypal psychologist analyzing every word you say. It is easy to see why candidates can fall into a pattern of rambling, stuttering, or an unsure demeanor. Let's take some of that power back.

Interviews are meant to be a conversation and exploration on both sides. You are looking for the right fit, much like the company is. Their role, their culture, their company has to also meet your requirements, your needs, and your wants for both parties to proceed. The following questions will help expose what type of company you are pursuing and show their interviewer you have a genuine interest in their company.

"What are necessary qualities for a (insert position you are interviewing for) to succeed at (insert company)?"

This question serves two purposes: how well defined the position is and provides a base comparison between the ideal and what you can provide as a candidate.

Established organizations will give you an exact list of qualities they are looking for in any role. They have seen individuals succeed and fail in this role, and know what tendencies lead to each path. After listening to this list you may decide that this position is not what you thought it was or may be a role you would not succeed in. For example, you may be an introverted analyst, but the role you are interviewing for requires a gregarious creative type to succeed.

If the interviewer gives you a vague and uncertain list of qualities, this may be a new position or a position that is currently evolving. This is a scenario that you will tend to find in small to mid-sized companies. If you are an individual that wants to take a challenge and "take the bull by the horns" in defining a position, this may be the company for you. If you like a path and detailed expectations set out for you, I would stay away from an organization like this.

"Is this opening a replacement or a new position?"

This question may give you insight into company culture, growth rate, and potential challenges this position might face.

If the opening is a replacement it is due a promotion, voluntary departure, or an involuntary termination. If it is a promotion, it shows that the organization values internal employees and the ability to grow within in the company is definitely there. If the previous employee voluntarily left it may be due to a better opportunity they might have found or they may have relocated. This is more and more a common occurrence as professionals move laterally in their careers to gain a wider range of experience or to pursue financial gain. At times you will come across an interviewer that is very upfront and state that the last employee was let go. This may direct you to a different line of questioning about their management style, corporate culture, and further reinforce the answers from the previous question (qualities to succeed).

The other potential answer is that the position is new. This may mean the company is going through a growth stage and need additional support. Another possibility is that there was a gap in the organization that needed to be addressed and this role would help close that gap or solve that problem. If this a position that was created with new responsibilities and a new scope, you would need to be comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with that type of role.

"Why did you choose and continue to work at (insert company)?"

This is a very open ended question that gives the interviewer a chance to focus on their vision of the organization and their priorities. This will give you insight into the company culture. Unless it is an HR professional that may have a canned response to this question, you can usually tell how genuine the interviewer is about the response. It may be a non-profit you are interviewing for and the interviewer may show the passion for the community they serve. It may be a financially motivated organization and the interviewer may focus on growth and the numbers. Ideally their source of excitement should align with what gets you excited.

"Are their any initiatives or any changes you are excited about at (insert company)?"

This question provides insight into the direction the organization may be headed in and their values. They may be looking to integrate more technology. The company might be looking to launch a community outreach program. It may be a new incentive initiative they are structuring. Ideally this is the direction you would like to head in as well.

This is also another question that gives the interviewer a chance to express their opinion. (Side note: These types of questions help humanize the interviewer and encourage a conversational back-and-forth to the interview.)

Additional Questions

There are other questions that may come up naturally throughout the course of the interview as well. If you were taking notes throughout the interview, you may have questions about a specific expectation for the position, questions about the day-to-day responsibilities, or questions about this role interaction with other departments.

If there are any values/interests you may hold, you can ask about the how the company aligns with those values. For example, if you are passionate about philanthropy or community service, you can ask if the company is currently involved with any. If you are passionate about your growth and education, you may potentially be able to ask about tuition reimbursement.

Remember, you, as a candidate, are assessing if this is a company you would see yourself working and growing as a professional. An interview is as much about the company as it is about you. Make it less an interrogation and more a conversation.

Are there any additional questions you have about your job search, interviews, or resume? Please comment below or on our Facebook page. You may see your question featured on one of our posts!

This post was sponsored by Stallion Consulting Group, LLC.

Stallion Consulting Group provides one-on-one career coaching and training and partners with companies to improve their recruiting processes. Use code MARCHMADNESS to get 10% off of any career coaching solution. (Code expires 3/31/17)

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