4 great questions for you to ask at your next interview

It isn’t easy being a job seeker in this economy. Not only do you have to prepare to give your best performance at the interview, but you also must do your best to ask some good questions at the end of the interview. Did you know that you can leave a strong impression on the interviewer by posing the right questions?

Remember, the interviewer isn’t the only person in the room reviewing someone. When you are at an interview, you are reviewing the company as well. The questions you ask during the interview may even help you avoid an overbearing boss before it is too late. Your questions should demonstrate how you have a keen understanding of where the industry is headed, the values of the employer, and the importance of your role. The right questions can reflect your business acumen to an employer in such a way that they will definitely call you back with a job offer.

1. What does this company value the most and how will my work here help further those values?

Different employers value varied things. Some employers are only concerned about profit while others genuinely care about the impact of their business on society. It is important to identify the business values of an employer before you decide about working for them. When your values align with theirs, it becomes easier for you to put in your best work. Assessing your career values before committing to an employer will help you make smarter choices.

2. What are some of the most and least desirable facts about the company culture?

Company culture is important. A healthy work culture promotes employee well-being. You don’t want to get stuck in a toxic workplace for several years just because you forgot to do your research on company culture. However, don’t just take the employer’s word for it. Do your own research by talking to previous and current employees of the company. Many tech businesses have lost the company culture they had due to layoffs. Knowing what you are walking into will help you be less nervous about your new job.

3. What is the most important thing I could accomplish within the first month at this job?

Maybe the employer is in a tight spot financially and needs a keen business eye that can take them out of it. Maybe the company needs to expand its social media reach before the release of the new product line. There will always be something that’s high on the employer’s priority list. Knowing this beforehand will help you make a great impression on the employer during your probation period.

4. How will you judge my success in the role?

This is a confident question to ask at an interview. It shows that you are sure of getting the job and that you want to hit the ground running as soon as you get it. Find out what methods the employer uses to assess the success of their staff. Some companies use annual performance reviews while other businesses have continuous assessments going on. When you know how your success will be measured, you can prepare yourself better to meet the criteria of the employer.