Two Things to Ask Before Your In-Person Interview

A job interview is as much for your benefit as it is for the company. It is an opportunity to see if the position is the right fit. Before the interview, ask yourself questions that will help evaluate your priorities and the company's suitability. You'll enter the interview with a clearer head and a better idea of the things you need to accept a position.

What Are My Goals for This Position?

During the job search, your focus is on getting a job—often, any job. Once you've secured one or more interviews, you must shift focus to choosing the best job. As part of your interview preparation, consider what your goals are. Do you want to work for two years and move on to another company? Would you prefer to move up within the company? What skills do you want to gain? By examining your true intentions in advance, it is easier to determine whether the open position is right for you during the job interview. For example, if one of your goals is to act as the point person on projects, a position that involves mostly support tasks may not be the best choice.

Simply listing your goals before the job interview is not enough. According to Forbes magazine, you must also consider what you are willing to sacrifice to achieve them. If a position offers you the ability to take the lead on projects but requires more than 50-percent travel, is it worth the time away from your family? Ask yourself the tough questions in advance so that you don't have to end an interview with, "Let me get back to you."

What is the Company's Reputation?

Many candidates head into a job interview with a basic understanding of the company, usually gleaned from the company's website. For more effective interview preparation, take it a step further and investigate thecompany's reputation. Search for news articles, check out trade publications, and talk to other industry employees to learn the latest news. Doing so will help you determine whether the company is truly the best fit for you. A company that has a bad reputation, particularly when it comes to legal and financial issues, can negatively impact the way you are perceived for the rest of your career.

Understanding a potential employer's reputation also helps you perceive where the company stands in the industry, which can impact how you frame answers during the interview. Look for information about the company's latest challenges and goals, and consider how your experience will make you an asset. Use it to present yourself as such during the job interview.

Preparing for a job interview is a crucial step, particularly for mid-career professionals. By entering the meeting with a wealth of background knowledge and a solid understanding of your own priorities, you can use the time to ask informed questions that will help you make the best decision.

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