You’re anxious to make a good impression but how can you anticipate all the interview questions you’ll have to answer? Often more importantly, are YOU prepared to ask the interviewer the right questions? If you’re not getting called back after interviews as often as you’d like, consider whether you’re leaving the best impression possible. One great way is to ask questions which show your interest in the company and uncover vital knowledge that can establish memorable rapport with the interviewer and give you a chance to discuss how your skills fit the company’s needs.
Go to the interview prepared with knowledge of the business and products. The web makes this easy:
Online searches using search engines such as Google or Yahoo
MUST DO - look through the Company website and be familiar with the business
Press releases - contain useful recent news; often posted on the Company website
These three types of questions will help you gain insight which is critical for relating your “story” to their needs:
(1) Questions that discover the interviewer’s hiring motives
(2) Questions that exhibit your interest, business knowledge, and intelligence
(3) Questions to unlock the interviewer’s (potentially) unspoken concerns
Here are sample questions that help you "get inside the mind" of the interviewer while establishing important rapport through your dialogue:
What are the toughest challenges of this position?
What qualities are most critical for this position?
Have others failed in this position, why?
How does this job relate to the interviewer’s role in the company and their goals?
Strategy for reaching a specific niche market
The Company’s long-range goals
Is this job related to these goals? How can your core skills, and possibly your leadership, fit?
Once you’ve asked any or all of the above questions, listen very closely. The first thing the interviewer says reveals his/her truest feelings. Use this information as insight for answering his/her questions to you.
As you draw near to the end of you interview time, don’t forget to find out what issues or concerns the interviewer has concerning you as a good candidate fit. Rarely do they offer the information unless you ask.
"What concerns, if any, do you have that might prevent you from asking me back for a second interview?"
"What concerns ... that prevent you from offering me the position?"
Once you’ve asked this question, be still and listen closely to how the interviewer responds. Pay attention to body language. If the interviewer says "I have no concerns," while averting their eyes, or touching their face, it’s a sign the interviewer DOES have concerns but is reluctant to state them. If so, a gentle follow-up question may be in order to explore deeper if you don"t make the interviewer uncomfortable.
Once the interviewer has stated their concern, use this opportunity to discuss it using one of your previous success stories to illustrate your ability to address the concern and exceed their expectations while leaving a final positive impression. Always try to find a comfortable way to address their concerns, or risk leaving a negative impression and you might not be invited back.
Now, go get ‘em!