I know a lot of job seekers think that it’s just a formality when your interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them at the end of an interview, but a common mistake is not using this opportunity to learn more about the organization and exactly what they expect from their new hire.
Here are the top 5 questions that great candidates ask:
1. What do you expect of me within the first 60 to 90 days? This shows that you plan on hitting the ground running and want to start making a difference right away if you are offered the position.
2. What are the common attributes of your top performers? This question shows that you are not just looking for a job – but you want a career and you could possibly see yourself at this company long-term. Employers love this idea!
3. What really drive the company’s results? Each employee is an investment made by the company, so obviously every employee should be creating a return on that investment. This questions shows that you want to, and plan on being a top performer at this company.
4. What do your employees do in their spare time? Every person wants to fit in, and that sentiment is no different when it comes to the work place. This question shows the employer that you care about your work environment and you want to make sure it is going to be a good fit for both yourself and for the company’s current employees.
5. How do you plan to deal with…? All companies face obstacles at one point or another, this question shows employers that you care about the job, about the company, and about how you will fit into their plans.
Making sure to ask a few of these questions at the end of your interviews will help the employer leave with a positive impression of you, knowing that you will have all of the information you will need to help make the right decision for yourself and for their company.
This list was adapted from Jeff Haden for Inc.com. Published 2012.
