Remember to Interview Your Potential Coworkers

When you interview for a job, both you and the employer are asking questions to confirm that you are a good fit for the position. However, many people only interview with a hiring manager and a supervisor. To truly understand whether you are a good fit for a job, you need to interview potential coworkers as well.

Interviewing potential coworkers is an important part of the job hunt. After all, one of the best predictors of success on the job is whether you develop harmony with your coworkers. If you do not fit in well with your team members, it is difficult to truly excel in the workplace.

Asking to interview your potential coworkers is sometimes tricky. It is best to bring this up during the second interview, after it becomes clear that you are a strong contender for the position. Ask your interviewer if it is possible for you to meet some of the people who might be on your team, and ask those people questions about the job.

Frame the request as a way for you to learn more about the job's day-to-day workload. Once the interview is set up, use the time as an opportunity to learn more about your potential coworkers and the work they do. It is inappropriate to ask negative questions such as "do you really like working here?" Instead, ask your potential coworkers about the work they are doing and the parts of the job that excite them.

Even without asking negative questions, you quickly learn how your potential coworkers feel about their job, their supervisor and the company as a whole. This is important information for all job seekers. If your coworkers appear happy to be working for the company, you know that the company is a good place to work. If your coworkers give off negative vibes, you may want to reconsider your interest in the position.

Interviewing potential coworkers also gives you important information about how the team works together and how your position fits into overall company and project goals. Each company is organized differently, and people often find they fit better into one type of team or leadership style than another.

Another benefit of interviewing potential coworkers is that you start to build rapport with the people who might be on your team. If these people like you and think you are a good fit, they advocate for you with their supervisor and with the hiring manager. Gaining the support of your potential coworkers is a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates and get hired.

Asking to interview potential coworkers is one of the most important things you can do as a job seeker. Talking to coworkers gives you a better idea of how the company operates, how its project teams work together and whether you are truly a good fit for the job.

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