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ASK GOOD QUESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO GET A GOOD JOB
By Richard Fein
Two friends, Ruben and Simon, had started their respective job searches at about the same time.
Ruben had gotten some interviews, but no offers. Simon was already evaluating a good job offer.
As they were comparing notes, Simon said, “How do you prepare the questions you are going to ask
at your job interview?”
Ruben was perplexed. “You mean the questions I will need to answer, don't you?” he responded.
Simon then understood why Ruben was still looking for a job. “My friend, the questions you
ask at the job interview may be as important as the answers you give. Not having
good questions to ask is not an option.”
Simon has it right. Your questions reveal a lot about you. For example:
- How seriously you are thinking about the pragmatics of the job.
- What is important to you and what your expectations are.
- Your ability to connect general situations to that company's specific reality.
- How much research you did on the company.
- Your degree of common sense and intellectual curiosity.
- Your energy level and communication skills.
- How well prepared you would be for a business meeting if you were hired for that job.
- Your level of maturity (especially if you are relatively young).
- Why the employer should NOT offer you the job (if you ask the wrong questions or
ask questions badly)
But Simon was not one to leave it at that. He gave Ruben some specific tips. “You need
to know what to ask about. Two topics are essential":
- The job itself. After all, if you get the job, you will actually have
to do it. Asking about how the job is done, reporting relationships, deadlines, clients,
company policies is a good way to show that you combine enthusiasm for the job with a
healthy dose of realism.
- The company. Jobs are not carried out in a vacuum. You would be joining a group
of people with a history, a company culture, and a way of operation. Besides, people tend
to be proud of where they work. Asking sound questions about the company is a bit like asking
someone about their kids.
Then he added, "There are two other topics you may want to ask about":
- The industry or profession. Most successful people keep current with
happenings throughout their industry and/or profession. Your questions can show that you
have that attribute of success.
- External influences. One purpose of your questions (especially is you are
interviewing for a managerial level position) is to show that you can think professionally
along a whole spectrum of issues. Your questions should identify factors that could affect
your job, company, or industry, even though they are separate from them. Examples of external
influences include government regulations, political events, and international news.
Simon also told Ruben about some important rules for preparing questions. (More about that in
a future Career Tips article.)
Check out these books by Richard Fein:
Richard Fein is Director of Undergraduate Placement Service, Chase Career Center,
Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts.
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