I find that one of the simplest ways to improve interviewing performance is through asking good questions: Here are some of my favorites.
- What’s the biggest change your group has gone through in the last year?
- One year from now, if I get the job, what will earn me a “gold star”? What are the key accomplishments you’d like to see in this role over the next year?
- What’s your (or my future boss’) leadership style?
- About which competitor are you most worried?
- How do your sales / marketing / technology / operations work here?
- What type of people are successful here? What type of people are not?
- What’s one thing that’s key to your success that somebody from outside the company wouldn’t know about?
- How did you get your start in this industry? Why do you stay?
- What are your best and worst working relationships with other groups in the company?
- What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest worry?
By using effective questions, it shows a deeper desire to understand what it takes to be successful in any position. This tells the interviewer that you have thought beyond the interview process and are now thinking like an employee. Brion Sunseri is the Owner and President of Ad-VANCE Talent Solutions, a full service staffing and HR services company based in Bradenton, Florida. You can contact Brion at: bsunseri@ad-vance.com