Interviews can be rather stressful.
Often it’s easy to forget something, stumble and quake; but as my little brother invites you to do above – just “hang-loose.”
When it comes to looking for employment in a certain field, most people feel that it’s essential to just let the employer talk – but little do they realize, the employer is also interested in finding out what you as the prospective employee have to say.
This is why it is essential, before you even get there, to come up with a list of questions to ask in an interview. There are plenty of questions you can ask in an interview, but it is best to cover the most major ones, first.
- Please describe the work environment?
- Has there been any recent changes to the company and it’s structure?
- Will I work alone for the most part, or in a team?
- How flexible am I expected to be for this position?
- What additional information may you need in relation to my employment?
Description of the work environment
When it comes to working in any given field, it’s a good idea to know ahead of time how the work environment will be for you.
Will you be sitting at a desk? Outdoors? Lots of driving time?
All of these kind of things should be figured out before you decide if you truly want the job or not. The last thing you would want to do is get hired for a job that you have no passion or interest for, or get stuck in a work environment in which you really don’t like.
Knowledge of recent changes to the company
This is an essential question to ask when it comes to wanting to work for a given company. This would help show that you’re truly interested in the company and want to know the in’s and out’s of what’s going on.
It show’s you have motivation to work hard and show dedication to the company and to help be informed and on top of your game in the work-place.
Working as an individual or in a team
This is a good question to be asking when it comes to being employed in a job.
Some people prefer that they would be working alone, rather than with a group of people. While others, quite simply could not be able to function properly unless they’re in a team environment.
Knowing where you are in the potential job would be most of the time – whether as an individual or in a team – will help you to decide if you properly belong in this job.
How flexible should my schedule be
This is a key factor in helping to figure out truly if you’re right for the job. If you’re going to school and juggling personal issues on the side you would want to make sure you can handle all of them, and still perform the duties of the job at hand.
So, knowing how flexible you’re required to be when it comes to the job is a key thing to know ahead of time.
What additional information should be provided
It’s always a good idea to ask if there is any additional information that might help ease the interview process and the potential hiring process for the employer.
What do you think?
These are just some of the many questions to ask in an interview that can directly help the outcome of whether you get hired or not. The more your employer knows about you, the better your chances to be considered for employment in that field.
What was your worst interview experience? What was the best? Why? What questions do you like to ask in an interview – either as an interviewer or interviewee?
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"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.
Read more about Christian 
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
As someone on the other side of the fence, I can say that I put a lot of importance in our team, that is, when I interview a possible candidate I want to stress that he’ll be part of a team which is a group of friends already, not just of work mates. My company’s staff really feels like a family, and as in any family it’s vital for it to accept new members and for said members to accept the “embrace” – so to say – of the family.
Working schedule is very important as well but we never had many problems on that side, we believe in a very flexible schedule, I think that as long as the project gets completed in the assigned timeframe, one can move things around as he pleases (within certain limits of course).
Gabriele Maidecchi recently posted..Karma- Serendipity And Some Useful PHP Email Source Code
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 17, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Those are some really great thoughts Gabriele. It reminds me of the Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. One of the obsessions was hiring people who understood their business model. Hiring is, from the books point of view, the most important aspect of running the business.
A bad employee can poison the health of your current business culture. Seems to be right along the lines of what you’re discussing here.
Christian
This is all really helpful information. Information that I will be using very soon. I will have to bookmark this in my JOB folder. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Happy Friday!
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Glad to hear it might help Meg. Good luck on all your adventures coming up!
When I was interviewing for sales positions a few years back I would ask, “what does the competition say about this company to help them win sales?”
twice that got a terrible response and I was never called back…
Three times the interviewers were super impressed and were more than happy to chat about what improvements need to be made and what their process of innovation looked like.
Graham Lutz recently posted..How to Plan a Blog Audience That Makes Money
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 17, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Interesting to hear of the difference between company breakdowns. Some get awful offended at certain questions – and some just love it. I guess it all comes down to their culture, what they focus on, how they’re driven, etc…But it’s good to see the reactions, because that gives you a better take on the company as a whole – and if you’ll fit!
By the way – what an awesome picture!
Graham Lutz recently posted..How to Plan a Blog Audience That Makes Money
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 17, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Thanks Graham. I love the photo. It’s so pretty!
Another great video Christian. As someone who has a bit of experience with job interviews, I have a list of questions I like to ask. You’ve definitely hit the core questions in your post. Here are a few of the more unexpected ones I ask:
What keeps you up at night? This question can lead to a confession of a serious company problem that you’d rather not become mired in. If the interviewer says: “Meeting payroll,” you should run!
What is your biggest concern about hiring me? If you want the job, this question helps you determine what the interviewer sees as your weaknesses. (Usually this information is never revealed to the job seeker.) By asking directly, you can address the issues head-on and possibly turn their concerns into certitude that you should be hired.
The Berenstein Bears books are awesome. My all-time favorite is the Bears Almanac. I still have my original copy from when I was a kid. And yes, I still read it!
Marianne Worley recently posted..Go With the Flow- Brilliant Life Motto or 70s Hippie Mantra
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 20, 2011 at 11:15 am
I’m sure you can get some scary responses from “what keeps you up at night.” Doing your best to uncover the skeletons in the closet. I like it.
And I like the approach of being upfront, honest and interested in their opinion of you. Most things that are seen as weakness are just misconceptions – or not understood fully. We all have them. Why is it that they would keep us from anything, if we’re willing to overcome with our strengths?
Berenstein Bears. Yes, they’re fantastic. What a great couple – producing all those wonderful stories.
Big thanks for the post Christian.
I believe it’s very important to be well prepared for the interview. Search on-line for some information about the company, check some forums, get information regarding company’s culture/structure/etc. It will be way much easier to set up a short list of questions.
“Blogging for Dummies” I did check that book (at the library as well) and you can find a looot of information there…for some it might be overwhelming but worth to read.
Klaudia recently posted..How to Prepare Yourself – The Art of War
Hi Christian,
I went through so many interviews in my life that I think I’ve seen it all, the goods and the bads… The first ten years of my chef’s career, I was the interviewee. Every time when I had a bad feeling and I still took the position, I was right that I shouldn’t have taken it.
My advice: be yourself, be interested because not only do they want something from you, you have expectations as well. And if you have got this feeling, follow your intuition. Later, when I hired people, it was pretty much the same process and my decisions were mostly made by my intuition.
I think the most important question should be: may I see my working place and meet the colleagues that I will work with? A tour through the company helps to get into a deeper conversation and sometimes questions come up that you didn’t think of before.
Franziska San Pedro
The Abstract Impressionist Artress
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 20, 2011 at 11:18 am
Intuition is a powerful tool. Loved hearing that real life application Franziska. We should do more to trust it – I know I should!
And in everything, too, I should be trusting my intuition. Whether it’s blogging, dealing with people, etc…It can mark a better path in life.
Interesting to hear of the difference between company breakdowns. Some get awful offended at certain questions – and some just love it.
Thanks for post.
The video is wonderful. This post comes at the right time for me as I’m planning to make my first interview.
Alexis recently posted..3 Crucial Points to Determine A Keyword’s Profit Potential
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 20, 2011 at 11:19 am
You’re going in for an interview, Alexis? Where at? Are you excited, nervous?
Twitter: adriennesmith40
June 20, 2011 at 11:01 am
Another great post Christian..
As someone having been on both ends of that, I’m happy to say never again. You’ve covered a lot of really great questions and things people should pay attention to. It’s been so long I don’t even remember what questions I asked now. I guess it’s because I kept my jobs for quite a number of years so luckily for me, I wasn’t interviewing all the time.
Very helpful information indeed. I tried watching the video but there was an error message and it wouldn’t play. So will have to come back by later and check it out.
Have a blessed day!
Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..Why People Fail In The Online Industry
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 20, 2011 at 11:21 am
It would certainly be less stressful to interview at a lower rate. That could get pretty difficult. You’d be a pro at the questions though.
Interesting, sorry the video didn’t work for you. Can you view it directly using this link? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLAcZ0afR6w
Really worthwhile post Christian.
My first interview I made the novice mistake of winging the questions. The interview lacked flow and was incredibly short and when it came to question time, I had nothing but cookie cutter responses going through my head.
And really you should look at it as interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Yes, they are offering a job. But, you are offering…well you. There are millions of jobs but there is only one you, and that is particularly valuable.
And as nervous as I can get on those ominous interviews, I try and look at it as a rare opportunity to talk about myself – my accomplishments and my philosophies to a person or people who are genuinely interested. And lets be honest, how often does that happen everyday.
Great post Christian – some really great take-a-way points.
Cheers!
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 21, 2011 at 7:09 am
I bet you certainly grew from those difficult first experiences, not being quite as prepared as you would have liked. It’s often times that like those that are most uncomfortable – that we stretch the most!
And you make a great point. There’s only one of me! I’m worth a lot. My time is priceless. Don’t just give it away to a place you hate and don’t agree with. That’s certainly a sad way to live life.
Twitter: berget
June 27, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Hi Christian,
I believe that what you’re saying is very important not just for the person applying for the job, in order for him to understand if he’s the right person for the job (or the job is right for him), but also when it comes to actually making a brilliant interview.
Asking the questions will make him look like an intelligent person who have given the job a lot of thought. Asking the right questions is many times a lot better than having the right answers.
Very interesting.
Jens
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Article Marketing: How To Sell Your Pizza To A Dead Man
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 27, 2011 at 10:42 pm
I really, certainly agree with that Jens. Often we become so nervous that we struggle for what we’re searching for – and are afraid, and clinch up. That’s when we give those “cookie cutter” answers.
I actually just had an “interview” if you will, with a new employer/client today – and it went well. It was more of talking. Free flowing, because I asked good questions – and he did as well. I actually enjoyed it, and learned a few things in the process.
Twitter: berget
June 27, 2011 at 10:53 pm
That’s great. I haven’t been in an interview for a long time. I have been working at the University for almost 9 years! (wow, that’s a long time). But I still remember how it felt like doing a successful interview
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Article Marketing: How To Sell Your Pizza To A Dead Man
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 27, 2011 at 11:13 pm
That’s quite an accomplishment. That’s really cool. So what do you teach at the college? Is it marketing and political science – or just marketing that you teach?
Twitter: berget
June 27, 2011 at 11:32 pm
I actually don’t teach. I am head of marketing, and create the marketing strategies and do the marketing (to get students to apply to the University)
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Article Marketing: How To Sell Your Pizza To A Dead Man
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 27, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Wow, that’s really fantastic! I didn’t realize that was your position. What do you think one of the biggest struggles is, as the marketing director of a college? Do you enjoy it?
Twitter: berget
June 28, 2011 at 12:10 am
The biggest struggle is to get people to understand the importance of our students, and that they are our customers and the only reason why we are surviving. They are the reason we have jobs. We should all care and bend over backwards for them. Not many people get this, and they see that my job is more about creating ads, not creating a culture about caring and helping our most important asset
Yes, I enjoy it, even though it’s a constant struggle
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Article Marketing: How To Sell Your Pizza To A Dead Man
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 28, 2011 at 12:22 am
I didn’t realize there was such a struggle within – in that regard, towards the students. That would be interesting to deal with.
And I’m certainly on your side there. The students WOULD be so important. If they don’t feel welcome, loved or catered to – then why would they want to come to your college vs another? What would be the draw?
Although it’s tough, happy to hear you enjoy the work. You’re doing a great service for those students who deserve it!
Now, I hear college is paid for or at least subsidized in part by the government in Norway. Is this true?
Twitter: berget
June 28, 2011 at 1:19 am
Yes, most colleges are paid for by the government. Students only pay a very small fee, apx. $200 or something to cover some expenses. That’s an awesome deal
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Article Marketing: How To Sell Your Pizza To A Dead Man
Twitter: smartboydesigns
June 28, 2011 at 9:29 am
That’s marvelous. Many students aren’t going to school anymore here in the US because it’s come to a point where it’s incredibly expensive for most schooling.
If it was only $200 – I’d be a student forever!
Hey Christian – those are some great points for an interview! Definitely some things to be considering when going to an interview.
Now what about questions to ask in an interview with another blogger online? Like how you interviewed me in the past and how I’ve interviewed people on my blog.
Just an idea for another blog post.
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August 6, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Thank you for your thoughts Michael. I’ll see what I can do about a post about interviewing people for content. That would be fun!