Resuming from our previous blog post, Acing your Interview with STAR Method, we’ve discussed an effective way for you to answer the questions your interviewer may give. Now, we’re turning it the other way around. How do you ask your interviewer if there's information missing that you’re seeking? Or do you keep silent and hold back your curiosities whenever the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions so far?” Well, if you do, you’re still not doing your interview right.
It’s important to ask your interviewer because a job interview is supposed to feel like a conversation between you. An interview is not a one-sided session— it’s quite the opposite. You should rather own the "center stage" in an interview, such as expressing great deals about yourself through your genuine interest in the job. Many people disregard this significant part in an interview because they didn't realize that interviewers expected their initiative and enthusiasm for the job by asking back questions they’re curious about. You also need to know more about the company's background and culture. Assuming that you want to have a clear image of the job you're applying for and consider whether it's the right fit for you. Just like Aerosmith, you don’t want to miss a thing!
As we started getting into the list of questions, we were inspired by Rhea Pirani’s true story of how she got her job at an online shipping marketplace called UShip. Rhea used only five questions during her interview to help her get the job that she wanted. She also thought employers really care about the questions you asked in an interview because it shows your engagement, curiosity, and how you came to prepare for the job. Here are the five questions Rhea asked in her interview.
What’s your favorite part of working here?
What will my day to day look like? (In addition, you can ask how your days will look like in the first 90 days of employment. Read our previous blog post on why.)
What are the major challenges faced by this company?
What does the training period look like?
How are the policy and how much salary will I get from this job?
The last question is probably the most challenging one, even for Rhea to ask in her interview. Typically, topics about the initial policy and salary are always quite sensitive questions to ask. But to get the whole picture, the question is necessary. Here are a few quick tips from Robert Half on how to negotiate salary with an employer or interviewer:
Do your research and have a good understanding of the presumably starting salary in your role and the company you’re considering.
If the employer doesn’t bring up the numbers, it is better not to bring the topic in your first interview. Make sure the timing is right, and don’t rush the money talk!
Think beyond the paycheck. Consider other job opportunities other than just getting paid, such as great values, free training, professional developments, or secure insurance.
Talking about opportunities, you can definitely ask it away in an interview. If the negotiating part isn't your expertise yet, you can try to use some of the questions that we recommend you down below.
If I were in this job, how would my performance be measured?
What are the essential values of the company?
Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?
What gets you most excited about the company's future?
What's different about working here than anywhere you've worked?
Or, you can also ask these questions at the end of the session to test your self-competence.
Is there anything that concerns you about my background being a fit for this role?
What is the next step after this interview process?
Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
The key is to prepare forward-looking questions to understand better how you would see yourself thriving in the job. Remember, an interview is about being reciprocal, and you have the right to know all the information you need about the job and the place you'll be working. Even if the answers didn't come to your expectations, there's no need to be discouraged. Get creative with your questions, genuinely, and the interviewer might give you insights about your future career. Have fun preparing for your next interview! If you're interested in reading more of career development topics, make sure to stay tuned to our blog posts! Follow us on Instagram as well @baikgp & @ayureadypodcast !