HR Secrets: 8 Ways to “Flip the Script” on the Interviewer and Land the Job
A job interview is a two-way street. It should provide the company with enough information about you and it should enable you to find out what the job requirements are. You need the “real” information so that you can impress the interviewer with how well you fit this position. Of course, it will also help you to decide if this position is one you really want.
Job descriptions can tell you what you will be doing day-to-day. What you want to know are the “real” facts. You want to know what really is needed, why it’s needed, what type of background the employer prefers and the personality traits they want. Unfortunately, you cannot just grill the interviewer. Subtlety is the key. Asking questions on the following topics can help you get the information you need:
1. Challenges. Ask about any challenges in the group/department recently. Is business getting better/worse/the same.
2. How to succeed. In six months, what should be accomplished? In a year? What will you be judged on in your performance review. What type of person succeeds here?
3. Leadership. The CEO’s style, the supervisor’s style?
4. Performance. Who does the performance review? Do you have a reward system (bonus-based, equity-based, slap-on-the-back)? If so, how does it work? What are the positives and negatives?
5. Importance. Why is this position important within the organization/department? How does this position impact the company’s success?
6. Culture. What’s the work atmosphere? Team-oriented, every person for themselves? Crunch times?
7. Experience. What’s the perfect candidate look like? What’s the ideal candidate background?
8. Department. With what other divisions/departments does this position interact? Is the hiring department held in high regard?
9. Time. Are decisions made quickly? Or, is there a formal process? Are people rewarded for decision making?
10. Work here? What’s the one thing that would make me successful here? Why should I take this opportunity?
You can’t ask about all of the topics above, but you can ask different questions to different interviewers. You can plan out your questions to fit your wants. Remember the old adage about not jumping from one frying pan to another. Know what you want and strategize the questions to ask.
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Published: July 31, 2012 By:
