What are the best questions you can ask as an interview candidate to score the job?
To help professionals on the lookout for new opportunities, we asked recruiters and hiring managers this question to get their insights. From asking why the interviewer works for the company to asking about the people and culture, there are several simple questions that may help you successfully crush that interview.
Here are the 8 best questions to ask in an interview as a candidate:
- Why Do You Work For The Company?
- How Can I Contribute Towards The organization Outside Of My Job Role?
- What Opportunities Are There For Personal And Professional Growth?
- What’s Your Favorite Part About Working Here?
- How Well Do You Relate To Unemployment?
- What Are The Goals for This Position That Are Needed For The Company To Accomplish ___?
- If You Could Change One Thing About Your Job, What Would It Be?”
- What Is Your Corporate Culture?
Why Do You Work For The Company?
I was shocked when a candidate asked me this question because candidates typically get asked, “Why do you want to work for this company?” This question is telling because if the interviewer can not answer it clearly or quickly, it can signify that the candidate may not want to work for that employer. Responding to this question with a smile and detailed answers can show the candidate that the employer may be a preferred workplace. It can also show the joys of working with the employer if the interviewer can explain what the company does for the community and its employees.
Annette Harris, Harris Financial Coaching
How Can I Contribute Towards The organization Outside Of My Job Role?
By far the most impressive question in my experience is when a candidate asks “How can I contribute towards the organization outside of my job role?” It really displays that the candidate feels deeply connected to the organization and resonates with its core values, along with a willingness to step above the ordinary. Moreover, it displays a sense of ownership from the very get-go since they’re actively trying to find ways to help the organization and not just treating their jobs as a mundane task.
Riley Beam, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.
What Opportunities Are There For Personal And Professional Growth?
When a candidate asks an employer what kind of growth they should expect at an organization, it just goes to show their willingness to excel and keep learning. Does the organization have a concrete learning and development program? Do they push their employees to advance in their careers and equip them with the right tools to get there? Asking questions of this nature really highlights the maturity and critical thinking skills of a potential candidate and how long they’ll stick around in an organization.
Demi Yilmaz, Colonist.io
What’s Your Favorite Part About Working Here?
Years ago, I was impressed when I was asked this question by a job candidate. It showed me that they really cared about the company culture and that they were serious about evaluating whether or not they were a good potential fit.
Stephanie Venn-Watson, fatty15
How Well Do You Relate To Unemployment?
This is the best question a candidate has ever asked me. It brought forward some emotional concerns since it sounded like we were turning away a desperate candidate. Humanity is emotions; therefore, the candidate reminded me of how intimidating being unemployed feels because I had been in the same situation. This question had me reconsidering if we should hire the candidate and hope for the best even though he didn’t meet all the requirements.
John Tian, Mobitrix
What Are The Goals for This Position That Are Needed For The Company To Accomplish ___?
Asking detailed questions about the company’s processes, culture, and operational plans during an interview demonstrates a sincere interest in joining the organization. It also shows the employer that the applicant took the time to research their company and role in advance. For example, the applicant can ask the hiring authority, “I am aware your company has plans to do [x, y, and z]. What are the goals for this position that are needed for your company to accomplish this specific project?”
Benjamin Farber, Bristol Associates, Inc.
If You Could Change One Thing About Your Job, What Would It Be?
The one that comes to mind was a young lady who at the end of our interview, couched her question in a way so charismatic I was caught off guard. She said, “I understand that you like your job here: you believe in your products, you believe in your team. So if you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?”
Her delivery was a large part of what made it so compelling, because it was framed in such a way that I didn’t feel she was looking to pinpoint weaknesses. Instead, by asking a manager who clearly likes the company, she was getting a clear view of what kind of improvements might need to be made, and also how receptive management is to noticing their shortcomings and correcting them. It was an amazingly insightful question that had more to do with how and to whom she posed it than the words alone.
Brandon Adcock, Nugenix
What Is Your Corporate Culture?
Companies see lots of qualified candidates throughout the hiring process, but the best candidates are the ones that offer some insight into their ideas on employee happiness. Interactive candidates that ask questions and have a communicative feedback style can be some of your best hires. “What is your corporate culture?” and other like minded questions that inquire about the people aspect of your business are the questions that offer additional insight into a candidate.
Trey Ferro, Spot Pet Insurance
