Liza Kirpatrick was a recruiter for 10 years and she really would like for more interviewees to realize job interviews are a two-way street. Far too often she’s found people stick to generic, easily Googled questions when they should be asking “hard-hitting, yet thoughtful, questions.” Here are some she recommends for your next interview:
1. What are the biggest challenges I’ll face in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured? In general, companies give new hires 90 days to prove they were right in hiring them. Knowing this you should be trying to get as good of a jump on the expectations they have for you as possible.
2. Is there anything about my background that makes you hesitant to move me forward in the interview process? Kirpatrick says “hiring managers love when candidates ask this question because it shows a sense of self-awareness.” You’ll have to be willing to take some harsh honesty but this is a huge opportunity for you to clear up some loose ends and possibly change their perception of you.
3. How does my background compare to other candidates you’re interviewing? The interviewer’s answer to this question lets you know exactly what you need to emphasize moving forward to stand out. It will also help you know what you need to work on if you don’t happen to get the job.
4. I know the Pandemic has caused major disruption for many companies. How are you, as a manager doing? Kirpatrick says you'll come across as empathetic and show emotional intelligence and a good manager will respond with authenticity. They may even return the question and the two of you may start a deeper conversation making a more thorough connection.
