Put simply, a good interview is a short, structured conversation in which the interviewer asks questions, and the interviewee gives answers. In layman’s terms, the term “interview” literally refers to a “one-on-one” conversation. This one on one is typically conducted by a professional interviewer or business owner in order to see if the interviewee is a strong candidate for a position with a company. Often stakes are high and the interviewee is subjected to extremely high expectations both set by themselves and the interviewer. These events are often highly anticipated and nerve-racking.
Some people inexperienced in the interview process may be confused by what is expected. They may feel uncomfortable in talking about themselves, their lives, and how they’ve made their living up until now. Interviews are usually formatted to challenge the interviewee. However, asking questions to the interviewer is an opportunity to turn the tables and put the power back in the hands of the applicant. That is why it is very important to prepare well and have a good set of questions to ask. The most important thing is that your questions are relevant to the position that you are applying for.
Before going into the interview, get to know the company that you are applying for. Knowing the company’s strengths and weaknesses will help you to prepare well. You can ask other people for references or look online to see what others have written about the company. By knowing what the company does, you will better understand your strengths and weaknesses, which can then make it easier for you to present them to the hiring manager.
Having good communication skills is essential during an interview. When speaking to a potential employer, be sure that you are clear, confident, and polite. This will help to make the conversation flow smoothly and allow you to answer any question that might come up. If you are nervous or uncomfortable, keep your questions short and simple.
Joyce Johnson’s Top 5 Questions to Ask an Interviewer:
- What are the company’s values? What characteristics do you look for in employees in order to represent those values? This will give you insight into the company’s culture. Asking this question will demonstrate both your intrigue and care in whether you are truly a good fit for the position.
- What’s your favorite part about working at the company? People love to talk about themselves. Flipping the interview back on to the interviewee, not only as a representative of the company but as themselves, will make them think and it will make you more memorable.
- Are there opportunities for professional development? If so, what do those look like? This is a superb question to ask to demonstrate your motivation and work ethic.
- What do you see as the most challenging aspect of this job? Knowing the good is just as important as knowing the less good. You want to understand the whole scale of the problems you’ll be dealing with.
- Is there anything about my background or resume that makes you question whether I am a good fit for this role? While it may feel risky, asking this question will displays that you’re highly invested. Plus, it will also allow you an opportunity to address any concerns that may arise.
When you have your questions ready, you should always start your interview asking these questions and then follow up with a follow-up question. The job of the interviewer is to listen to your answers to questions just as much as the questions you chose to ask them. This is often how they determine if you will be a good fit for the job.
Above all, when preparing for an interview it is important to maintain a good attitude. It is crucial you appear confident and professional, especially in an interview setting. If you are not confident in your appearance or you show signs of nervousness or stress, it is very possible that you will not come off as a positive individual during the interview.
If you do this, then chances are that you might not get the job that you were looking for. Practice affirmations and breathing exercises beforehand. You got this!
