10 Questions You Need To Ask Your Interviewer

By Career Advice Writer/ConnectNigeria.com

If you are wondering why you don’t seem to succeed in job interviews, perhaps the problem could be that you haven’t shown that you are a challenging person with questions that may dazzle the interviewer or employer.

If you have been given an opportunity to present yourself at the interview, your goal should be to ‘wow’ your would-be employer by your intellectual and insightful questions to the interviewer. Here are 10 powerful questions for you to use and get yourself a job offer.

1. What are the growth and advancement opportunities that this job position and the company would offer?

With this question, you are telling the interviewer that you are looking forward to a long-term professional career with the company, not just for a paycheck.

2. Are there opportunities for continuing education and professional training?

Here, you show that you are willing to learn new skills and possibly adapt to new challenges and initiatives that would improve your performance on the job.

3. What are the major obstacles preventing the company from achieving its goals?

In this question, you are showing a real interest in the company’s well-being and possibly indicating that your skills and experience could help make the company achieve its goals.

4. How do you feel I could add value to the company?

Obviously you were shortlisted out of hundreds, possibly thousands of other candidates. Thus, this question gives you the opportunity to find out why you were shortlisted and more chances to bring your qualities to the spotlight.

5. What would be my first project if I’m hired?

This gives the impression that you are already seeing yourself a part of the company. Also, it shows that you have the mental attitude to work from day one, thus allowing you to start planning for the project even before you are expected to commence your job, if you were hired.

6. Who will evaluate me if I’m hired?

This question might help you understand the hierarchy of management in the company as well as the departmental structure where you are expected to work. Most importantly, you will be able to discern what level of management personnel you are expected to report to.

7. What is the nature of the competition in the industry?

Although you’ve done your own personal research about the industry, this question might give you insights into other areas of the industry that you don’t have information about. You might also learn about the company’s position in the job industry.

8. Why did you choose to work with this company?

This could give you other reasons to consider working for the company. It’s like asking the interviewer: Why would you advice me to work for this company? Thus, finding out a current employee’s reasons for choosing to work at the company can give you some insight into some of the strengths and opportunities within the organization.

9. When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?

Although some interviewers/employers may tell you that the decision will be made soon, without giving an exact time period, asking this question helps you to know how you can plan your interview follow-up activities such as sending a ‘thank you’ card or email, making a call, etc.

10. Who should I contact as a follow-up to this interview?

This is perhaps the best way for you to wrap up the interview. With this question, you are not only keeping the door open for further communication, but you are also giving the impression that you have a positive outlook about the interview and a possible job offer.

For more career-related tips and advice, download the FREE eBook: Personal Guide to Career Freedom by Loy Okezie