5 Questions To Ask At Your OWN Interview

Hung — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:06:20 +0000

We’ve all been there. We prep for every part of the interview, except for the bit where you have to ask the questions at the end. There are plenty of reasons why you should devote time to this section, not least because the interview isn’t over and you are still being judged on what you say. It’s also perhaps the only opportunity you have of cutting through the corporate BS and getting some real information about the company you’re about to join.

Let’s start with some don’t do’s. I wouldn’t ask about the money, unless somehow you got there without knowing broadly what’s on offer. Neither would I ask about benefits, training or anything else that you could glean from a website, or get from some functionary in HR or Marketing. The questions need to be about your job and the people you work with – after all, it’s what you would be doing for 8-10 hours a day, every day of your working week. You’re going to need to know…..

1. How to avoid the early pitfalls

It’s a fair to assume that the reason there is a job in the first place is because there is a problem to be solved. You need to know exactly what that is, and how avoid tripping up attempting to take it on. Try this:

What do you think is the most important contribution I can make in my new role in the first 60 days of the job?

2. How you are going to be measured

You obviously want to be great in your new role. This would be somewhat difficult to achieve if you had the wrong idea of what ‘great’ is to the company. You need to know exactly how what success looks like to them and how you will be measured against it. Try this:

How would you define an outstanding performance from a person performing in the role?

3. What your boss-to-be really thinks of himself

This is the person who will not only determine whether you get the job, but also set your objectives, assess your performance and otherwise overly influence your life. It’s important to get handle on what he thinks of himself before you agree to crew for him. Try this:

If I could speak to other members of the team, what would they say about your management style?

4. What bossman really wants to do with the company

Forget the sales pitch and the marketing lit, what you really need to know what type of company you’re potentially joining. More specifically, you need to know what direction the boss man is going to take his part of it, as that will directly affect your experience of working there. Try this:

If you could change one thing about this company, what would it be?

5. Whether you have got the job

It’s notoriously difficult to assess how well you’ve done at interview, especially when you’re actually still in it. You need to know how well you’ve done before the close of the show, so that you can at least attempt a rescue if the situation demands. Try this:

Do you have any reservations about my ability to do the job?

Final thoughts
Don’t fall into the trap into thinking that the interview is over, just because they’ve said it is. By asking interesting, thought provoking questions you can continue to communicate your intelligence, your confidence and chutzpah – qualities that every employer will want in their organisation. You might also get yourself some pretty important information along the way.

Anyone else got great questions for the interviewee to ask at interview?

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5 Ways Body Language Can Lose You The Interview

Hung — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:03:58 +0000

According to the oft quoted Albert Mehrabian study, communication is 7% words, 38% tone and a whacking 55% general body language. The implications for those on the job search are enormous – you’ve got to get your body language right in order to successfully negotiate the interview process. I’ve come up with 5 common mistakes which I’ve seen lose people the interview – do you find yourself doing of these?

1. Crossing your arms

This is the classic defensive posture, creating a barrier in front of you to prevent a hypothetical attack to your upper torso. In the interview context, it signals a resistance to ideas and hostility to the opinion of the others. It is extremely difficult to build rapport when holding this posture (try it next time you are with your friend or partner!) and if it is your habit, it must be corrected. Keep your hands in your lap or on the table (if there is one) in front of you, when standing, keep hands at your sides. This lets the other person know that you are defensive and are open to discussing new ideas and opinions.

2. Looking down when speaking

This is the classic deference posture, looking down to signal recognition of hierarchy and avoiding a hypothetical thump from any alpha male. In the interview context, this can be readily interpreted as obsequiousness – not an attractive quality to present to an employer. It is extremely difficult to build respect and an equality-of-relations if you habitually drop your gaze when speaking. Look into the eyes of the listener when you begin your sentence, follow the 3 second rule before glancing away and look again when you have finished speaking. This lets the other person know that you are interested in engagement, whilst giving clear visual cues as to when he or she can interject.

3. Checking your watch

There is NO reason to do this at interview. Checking for the time or any other substitute distraction (flicking a pen, checking your phone, taking a call – I’ve seen them all!) indicates boredom, a lack of interest and a keeness for the interview to be over. If that truly is the case, you will do better by concluding the interview yourself and excusing yourself from the exercise.

4. False smiling

Many primatologists think that the smile was originally a sign of aggression – lips open, teeth bared – a warning to stay away. It has since evolved into a near universal way to communicate sincerity and friendliness, but it can quickly go wrong again if poorly executed or used out of context. A false or forced smile is one of the most hostile facial expressions – signaling deception, hidden motive, attempt at manipulation and a disguised threat. A genuine smile involves the entire face – eyes & mouth, whilst a false smile uses only the mouth. People seem to be very good at seeing the difference, so at interview, smile only when you mean it!

5. Poor posture

Slouching or hunching your shoulders immediately makes you look smaller and signals a lack of self-confidence. Your posture is possibly the first thing that people notice and often sets the tone on how you will be treated – and therefore, how the interview will go. Standing up straight with your shoulders back displays confidence and self-assuredness – this translates directly into respect. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, head held up and your line of sight parallel to the floor. This will automatically stretch the spine, relaxes the shoulders and communicates your comfort in your surroundings.

If you are not sure how you display your body language at interview, get feedback from a friend or partner or seek professional advice. This is an underrated aspect of the job search and it would be a shame to allow basic errors jeopardise the hard work you’ve already put in getting the interviews in the first place.

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5 Questions To Ask At Your OWN Interview

5 Ways Body Language Can Lose You The Interview