For some an interview can be a nervy experience, you have a short amount of time to impress the hiring manager whilst being asked a tonne of questions that you feel you have to ace… but the best way to combat nerves is to be as prepared as possible.
There are many things you could and should look at about the company you are interviewing with, and here at Navartis we pride ourselves on working with candidates to make sure they are as prepared as possible. Remember, an interview is as much about you finding out about the business and if you feel it is the right fit, as it is the interviewer finding out more about you.
In this article we wanted to focus on the questions you could ask the interviewer that we believe will set you apart and also give you a better understanding of the business. So here are 5 questions that you could ask to help you to gain a better understanding of the business…
What are the biggest challenges your team/business currently faces?
This is an interesting question as it can help you get a feel for the challenges you could face if you are successful and secure the job. It’s not a question to trip the interviewer up it is purely to help you dig deeper and it often helps to open up the conversation. It will also offer you an opportunity to prove why your skillset, experience and knowledge can help overcome certain challenges discussed.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
Every company has easily accessible content around why working at their company is great and the opportunities it can offer. But asking this question to a current employee, i.e. the interviewer, is a great way to hear a first-hand opinion of their employee experience.
How would you and your team describe your management style?
A very direct question but one that we feel would offer great insight into what the relationship between you and your potential manager would look like. Every manager has a different approach and style of management and it’s important to ensure you feel you could work with the person.
What makes you different to your competitors?
Prior to the interview you should have done your homework on the company and you will have a good idea of what makes them stand out from the crowd and why you would want to join them. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask this question to see what the interview says and what they focus on.
How do you support your employees' career progression?
Always an important question for any candidate. Obviously depending on your level of experience and the level you are potentially going to move into will determine what you want to find out specifically. How do they help develop their less senior employees, is it via formal learning or mentoring? Do they have clear progression routes? All this information will help you to build a picture of the long term opportunity available.
Summary
Ultimately, it’s down you what you ask during the interview, these are just good examples that we feel can help you get a better understanding of the role and business and help shape your decision if you are offered the role.
It comes down to what’s important to you and what you value most about an employer and role. The key is to be prepared and have questions that are important to you ready as it’s not uncommon for a candidate to leave an interview thinking “I wish I asked that question”.
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If you are keen to discuss your current situation and want to find out how we can help you make your next career step then get in touch with our team of recruitment experts. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you and your career progress.
