Grilling Your Interviewer

Not asking any questions or asking bad questions at a job interview will make you seem unprepared or disinterested. Here is a guide on asking your interviewer the right questions in order to come across as a candidate worthy of being hired.

Interviewers usually develop a better idea of your capabilities and background as you answer their questions in a job interview.

After all, it is during the job interview that they can pick out your strengths and expertise, have a clearer idea of how to groom you as a potential hire in the company and possibly even offer you room for growth beyond the job description.

Hence, when your turn comes to ask your interviewer questions, do sound them out on what they would like you to focus on, to meet and exceed expectations for the role they are hiring for.

Employers want graduate hires who are hungry for personal and professional growth, and who will, in turn, contribute resources and expertise to the company.

Beyond the short term, employers will want you to be able to help tackle challenges and key problems the company is facing as well.

Ask about training opportunities and future growth plans to show keen interest and that the role is in line with your personal career objectives.

It is crucial for fresh graduates to understand the bigger picture of how their skills fit into the larger goals of the company which they are interviewing for, and possibly becoming a part of.

Ask about key projects in your prospective department and show interest in understanding the company’s business and outlook, especially in this uncertain period. Doing so demonstrates that you are keen to help solve problems for your prospective employer, and shows that you have a strong understanding of your own skills as well as knowledge of the industry.

Interviewers can give you a better idea of what they are looking for during the job interview itself. Read between the lines and sense the body language of your interviewers as well – even if it is far harder to do so over a live video interview.

You can also ask your interviewers for their honest opinion on your suitability for the role and the company, and listen to their feedback with an open mind.

This can be helpful information when you eventually join the company or when you are pursuing job applications elsewhere. As insiders of the industry, the hiring managers will be able to tell you if you are lacking in certain qualities or qualifications needed for your dream job.

Before leaving a job interview, be sure to thank the interviewers and end it on a good note. Highlight your qualities and skills, as well as any relevant experiences, as a conclusion on why you are suited for the role applied for. Send them a thank-you email as a follow-up courtesy.

At the very end of the interview, whether face-to-face or video, make sure you ask about the next steps which are expected of you and the company, as well as more information about their hiring timeline. A curious candidate is one step to being a successful one!