Top 7 Questions To Ask In Your Next Interview

By Kristen Peuvion on June 22, 2014

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As a college student, you’ve inevitably gone through a few interviews for various jobs and internships. Some of these interviews may have been more laid back, while others were the most nerve-racking experience of your life. Regardless of what type of interview experience you’ve had in the past, there is always room for improvement.

One way to greatly improve your interview skills is by asking the right questions. After all, the spotlight shouldn’t be all on you. An interview is the time to find out as much as you can about the position as well as for the company to learn more about you. Here’s a list of the top seven questions you should be asking in your next interview.

image via www.glassdoor.com

1. What do you enjoy about working here?

Learning what your interviewer likes about working at the company will show you the positives you may encounter if you end up working there. Their response will highlight what they value within the company, which you then can decide if you value the same thing or not. If they struggle with identifying the specific things they enjoy about working there or if their response isn’t something you value, chances are that particular company is not going to be a place where you enjoy working.

2. What happened to the person who previously held this position?

Your interviewer’s answer to this question will tell you if they were promoted or fired. If this previous employee was promoted, you then can infer that there is room for growth in this company down the road. If they were fired, you can then follow up with a question asking what it is that makes a person successful at whatever position you are interviewing for. Either way, you are finding out ways to be successful at this company, or you are discovering that you could surpass your entry-level position in the future at this company, both of which are good to know walking out of an interview.

3. What are some challenges to expect with this position?

This is a good follow-up to the previous question, especially if the person who previously held this position was fired. It is good to know what problems you will encounter before you get the job so you can decide if they are manageable or not. Also, if your interviewer tries to tell you that there are no challenges, this is a red flag; no job comes without its challenges, so be wary of any interviewer telling you so.

4. What are some things I would need to accomplish within the first two or three months of working here?

It is good to know what you will be expected to accomplish when you first begin. If the interviewer gives you a laundry list of things you need to get down right off the bat, then this company might not be what you’re looking for because that simply isn’t doable. Knowing what is expected of you will also allow you to make the best first impression in your first few days of working there.

5. Who is the person I will be reporting to and what is the best way to get in contact with them?

Knowing as much as possible about the person you will be reporting to before you leave an interview is crucial to your success with the company. If it sounds like the person is someone you will clash with, perhaps this position isn’t the best fit.

It is also important to know how to get in contact with them. Will there be plenty of open communication, or will they be hard to reach? This will tell you if you will be predominantly working independently, or if your supervisor will be around to guide you in your first few days on the job.

6. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? If so, what are they?

This question shows your employer that you are self-aware. No one is perfect, no matter how perfect you are trying to portray yourself in an interview, so it is good to show an interviewer that you know this. This question also allows the interviewer to let you know any qualms they have about you working in this position, and more importantly, it allows you to either appropriately defend yourself or show that you are willing and wanting to improve yourself.

7. What comes next?

Ending your interview with this question is a great closer. If these previous questions didn’t already show your interviewer your enthusiasm for the position, then this one will. Asking about a follow-up will show your interest and based on your interviewer’s response, you can gauge their feelings about you.

An interview is just as much the means to figuring out if you’re right for the position/company as it is you figuring out if the position is right for you. By asking the right questions you will not only show your potential future employer your interest in the position, but you will also gain a better understanding of how you could potentially fit into the company.

Remember to ask these questions to succeed in your next interview!

Search through the Uloop job listings to find your next Part-Time or Full-Time employment or Internship opportunity. Employers are waiting to hear from you!

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