by Alan Collins
The questions you ask at the end of the interview is critical. You need to think ahead and prepare for this part of the interview because you will be judged by the quality of questions you ask.
So you want to put your best foot forward.
Here are four questions you could ask hiring managers to show how smart you are…without coming across as an arrogant jerk. :
1) “Ms/Mr. Hiring Manager, what are some major short- and long-range objectives that the company REALLY has?”
As you’re saying that, emphasize with your voice the word really.
Do this because it makes them really think. I mean, everybody’s read the
annual report, corporate website or recruiting brochure. Everybody knows what the CEO wants to do this year.
Probe to find out what are the real objectives are and hiring managers will tell you. And when they do, they’re telling you what’s key to their success as your boss, which is vitally important. Because, no matter what job you seek, everyone
gets hired for the same job: To make your boss look good.
2) Ms./Mr. Hiring Manager, what are two or three characteristics you feel make your company unique?
The employer will pause, and then they’ll start to sell you on the company
and the position. Also, they will very likely think: ‘Oh, my gosh! This
person has another job offer!
You don’t even have to say anything. If tey think you have another offer, they’ll start to take you even more seriously. And they start to sell to you. It’s a
beautiful moment in the interview.
3) In what areas does this company excel? And where does the company have limitations?
This is important because the answer will tell you what’s important to the
company, and it’s probably going to tell you what’s important to them as a
hiring manager.
This lets you dig into your collection of accomplishments and say, ‘We had
that same issue once, and here’s what we did about it.’
4) The last question you want to ask, and it is always the last question,
is this: “What would you add or subtract to increase efficiency at this
company?’
This question will tell you what you need to do to make that job work for
you in the company.
Once again, dig into your collection of HR success stories and pull out
something relevant.
When you ask questions, you’re going to be judged by how well you listen to the interviewer’s responses. Make it a point to listen actively and attentively.
If you just sit there nodding like a bobble-head doll, looking like you
want to move on to the next question, you could be toast. Listen with your
whole body because your body language speaks volumes.
