A job interview is the perfect time to get more information about your potential employer. If you are lucky enough to be interviewed by your potential supervisor, take advantage of the situation by learning more about his work department and management style. Ask the right interview questions to find out if your personality, work style and goals are a good fit with your potential boss.
For best results, have a few good interview questions prepared before the interview, and take note of the answers. A job interview can be a stressful situation, which makes it hard to retain information. This is especially true if you have more than one interview in a day. Here are a few insightful interview questions to get you started.
How would you describe the company culture?
As your future potential supervisor describes the culture, listen to his tone as well as to the information he provides. An enthusiastic boss who describes people and situations with a cheerful demeanor is going to be more pleasant to work for than a boss with bitter undertones to their descriptions. A great boss has pride for both his department and the organization he represents.
What are your favorite things about this company and your job?
This interview question gives you information about both the company and your possible boss. Hearing your interviewer's story gives you with clues to those things he values and his level of commitment to his position and the company. Watch out for uninspired answers or a lack of zest for his work. Not everyone is enthusiastic all the time, but a stream of lackluster responses could signal future problems if you take the position.
What is your management style?
This question teaches you about the manager's expectations. It can be expanded by specifically asking about communication styles and feedback patterns. Listen to learn what to expect from management if you take the position. If the manager has a mostly hands-off style and you need a lot of feedback, the position may not be a good fit for you.
What would be my career path in this position?
Some job seekers shy away from asking about their career trajectory with the company, but interview questions like this show commitment and concern to the future, as well as letting your interviewer know that you are serious about the position and the company. Avoid asking for specifics or for a timetable of when you might be promoted. Instead focus on possible career goals in the distant future and how the company can help you reach them.
Take the time to get all of your prepared interview questions answered in the interview period. Do not leave questions unanswered, with plans to tack extra questions onto your interview thank you email, since these may be perceived as a form of nagging or trying too hard. If you forget to ask something during the interview, let it rest until you receive a job offer.
Take advantage of your job interviews to learn more about the companies that you are applying to and your possible future bosses. Quality interview questions are a great way to learn about company culture while showing your interviewer that you have initiative and determination.
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