Two Must Ask Questions

Observe any job candidate preparing for the interview, and you may see a lot of rehearsing in preparation for tricky interview questions. While this is a smart strategy, it's important to ask questions of your own during the interview. This shows the interviewer that you are serious about the opportunity. Not sure where to start? Consider the following two questions, which can have a significant impact on the interview's overall success.

1. What Does the Ideal Candidate for this Position Look Like?

There are many ways you could phrase this question, such as "What exactly are you looking for?" or "What qualities make up the perfect candidate?" No matter how you phrase it, this is a great question to ask early on in the interview. The answer you receive helps you formulate your responses to the interviewer's questions later. The job description alone doesn't always tell the whole story; perhaps the hiring manager is partial to a particular skill set or personality type. Asking this question gives the interviewer a chance to express their real desires in a candidate and buys you some time to think about your responses. Once you know what they're actually looking for, you can tailor your answers accordingly, addressing each and every one of their concerns. This provides an incredible advantage over another candidate who doesn't ask this question and significantly boosts your chance of getting the job.

2. Can You See Me being Successful in this Role?

This is a very assertive question that borrows a technique from sales: the closing. The answer to this question determines if you've done a good job convincing the hiring manager to give you a chance. The answer can also help you determine if the interviewer still has some reservations about you. If the answer is yes, you can leave the interview with confidence, knowing that you have a great shot at getting the job. If the interviewer is hesitant, you have the opportunity to immediately address any concerns the interviewer has about your experience or qualifications. If you receive a firm no, you still have an opportunity to receive helpful information and advice you can use during your next interview. It may be difficult to work up the courage to ask such a forward question, but the reward is well worth it, no matter the answer.

The questions you ask during the interview help you by providing helpful information direct from the interviewer. If you don't get around to asking any other questions during the interview, make sure you at least ask these two. The answers you receive provide invaluable insight about the image you portrayed during the interview and your real chances of landing the job.

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