By Sharon Schweitzer
Dust off that pantsuit and pull out the resumes. Looking for a new job can be tedious and tiring. It can be fun too. Sometimes people go on interviews to see if their current job is fulfilling all their career needs and to stay fresh in the game. Others are searching for anything they can get their hands on. It can never hurt to go to an interview to learn more about a company, and don’t settle for just anything.
Here are questions for you to ask in the interview to get down to the nitty-gritty:
1.Learn about the office culture.
Interviews are a two-way street. They are finding out if you are right for their open position, and you are seeing if it is the right fit for you. Discuss company culture. This is key to find out your integration into office dynamics. The philosophy and mission of the company will dictate the culture.
Take note of the employees at the company. How are they behaving in their workday? The dynamic is always changing based on who is present. It is best to find out if you fit sooner rather than later. Determine your role for the job, and once you are hired, you can hit the ground running.
2.Discover the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Ask your interviewer for examples of projects conducted by your colleagues. Inquire about exhibited strengths and weaknesses. Pay special attention to the mention of failures. It is imperative to know how your potential co-workers grow from their mistakes.
This will also help you gauge where you can contribute. Personally, evaluate where improvements can be made. If the situation presents itself, subtly suggest possible solutions from your perspective.
3.Is it a fixed of flexible schedule?
It is important to know the schedule outlook for your potential job. Hourly wages and salaries both have their pros and cons. If you are going to be working more hours than the usual 40, then hourly wage is often better. Many jobs don’t state up front that normal working hours are beyond full-time. This is where the salary is a useful tool on their part. Break down the math ahead of time to see what is worth it to you.
Be sure to ask about the extra hours. How often do other employees work on weekends or evenings? Is there a time of year that is busier than normal? It is possible that the environment will become more relaxed as work is completed.
Notice the behaviors of other coworkers. Are they punctual or relaxed when it comes to their actions in the workplace? You will be able to tell by observing the office. You can ask a potential coworker questions, too. Sometimes these people are more informative than the interviewer.
4.What is the turnover rate?
In the past few years, if the position you are interviewing for had several people fill it, that is not a good sign. Head for the hills if you ask about turnover rate and they downplay the continuous revolving door. Prior to your interview be sure to research the turnover rate online. Glassdoor is an excellent resource and you can find testimonials from people that worked with the organization previously.
If your prior research indicates something drastically different than what the interviewer is telling you, that is a red flag. Turnover is indicative of both good and bad experiences, but if it is occurring often, it is most likely a sign to flee.
5.Is there opportunity for advancement?
No one likes to be stuck in a rut. In your interview, ask about opportunities for growth within the company. However, this needs to be worded delicately. You don’t want it to sound like you are gaming for all the jobs except the one available.
Maintain a career-focused mindset and pose it as a what-I-can-contribute-to-the-organization component. You want to make sure you are signing onto a company that recognizes your value and invests in you the way you invest in them.
6.What type of position is it?
Know what type of position the job is offering. There are different types of positions in our modern work environment. Here are a few with guidelines:
Temporary
Temporary positions are often to fill the shoes of a full-time employee while they are on leave. Many people who have babies or medical procedures have a ‘temp’ fill their position while they are gone. They are great positions to learn various things about the organization. These are great positions to network for the future.
Temp-to-Hire
The noncommittal type of job where they want to see what you can do before they officially hire you. These are set up as a probation period. If you got the interview through an agency, the agency will pay you, often per hour, during this probation period. For startups, these positions are common until other rounds of funding come through.
Independent Contractor
This one is nice, but tricky. You technically work for yourself. However, that also means you pay about 1/3 of your income in taxes and do not receive benefits. Make sure to raise your hourly rate to accommodate the extra expenses.
Full-Time/Permanent
This is the traditional, often 9-5 job. Benefits are included and often it is a salaried position. Traditional full-time roles are becoming less common in the workplace.
7.Does the position require travel?
There are individuals that love living out of a suitcase, and those who don’t like to leave their home. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, ask in the interview about possible travel involved in the job. This can be plane or car travel.
Business trips might be the entire job, so it is good to find out from the interview. It is not uncommon to have employees working on a bi-coastal basis either. Check to see before you sign that new lease.
8.What is the structure for raises and bonuses?
You don’t want to appear greedy, but ask questions so you are not disappointed later. Ask how the bonus and raise structure works. Normally, companies operate on a merit-based or annual basis.
When asking these questions, you can integrate it into asking about the benefits included in the position. Sandwich the raise query between insurance and vacation questions.
9.Will I have to relocate for this position?
To avoid any surprises, find out up front if you will be asked to relocate. If so, what are the potential locations, how frequently, and if there is a moving reimbursement policy. Some positions require an immediate relocation. If you are interested in this, mention it. It can’t hurt. Many companies would love to have a person willing to jump on the bandwagon for expanding the business. It can be a great opportunity for a new adventure, too.
10.What is the expense reimbursement policy?
Many companies offer expense accounts as their expense reimbursement policy. Make sure to ask about the policy because each office is different. It sometimes corresponds to seniority. If the position you are interviewing for is mostly taking clients out to dinner, this is a critical point. Everyone has their own system for company expenses so it is best to include those questions in the interview.
Depending on your purpose, interviewing for a new job can be nerve-racking and informative. Know your motivation for being there and don’t shy away from the tough questions. The interview is the best time to ask the tough stuff to gauge your fit with the company. Follow this question guide and you will be more than prepared when the ‘you got the job’ call rolls in.
Sharon Schweitzer is a business etiquette expert, author, and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.protocolww.com/