What questions should you ask in an interview? When you carry out recruitment processes, it is important to keep in mind that it is above all an exchange which must lead to a constructive and interesting conversation between the candidate and the recruiter. Business Cool lets you discover today the topics to discuss during a job interview to stand out and make an impression on your interlocutor.
During recruitment, by asking relevant interview questions, you will not only succeed in impressing your recruiter by making the exchange more stimulating, but also in informing yourself in more detail about the position in question.
The question “do you have any questions?” » comes up very regularly in interviews. It is imperative to always have something to ask your recruiter and to never answer “no”. This can give the impression that you are not interested in the company. In addition, asking your recruiter a question, however original it may be, will inevitably leave an impression on them and make you stand out from the crowd.
If we offer you some example questions, the objective is always to be yourself and to be authentic in the interview. This is very important. You also need to ask questions related to your values and principles to ensure that you will work in an environment in which you enjoy and which motivates you.
Recruitment: Questions to ask during an interview
You need to prepare for a job interview. You must first find out about the company, the possible missions and possibly anticipate a possible test or case, as part of recruitment for a strategy consulting firm.
Of course, you also need to prepare questions to ask during your interview. This shows your interest in the position, in the mission and in the company. It also demonstrates the ability to be proactive, to anticipate and to be organized. By asking one of the questions you will see below, you will prove to your recruiter that you are ready to be operational and to invest fully in your missions.
Questions to ask in an interview about the company
This type of question is always tricky to ask in an interview. You should not let people think that you have not researched the company. You should therefore rather be interested in details which are not necessarily mentioned on the corporate site or on the prospects for international development.
Among the questions to ask in an interview about the company, you can ask:
• What measures has the company put in place to promote diversity, equality and equity?
• What are the prospects for international development?
• Do you have several premises?
• How would you describe the working atmosphere?
• How has the company evolved since you arrived?
• How did you manage the pandemic?
This allows you to have insights about the company that you won’t find anywhere else.
Questions to ask in an interview about the position and career development
Again, the idea is to show that you are operational and that you really want to join the company. It also shows your ambitions and that you really see yourself in the position. What question to ask in an interview about a position or career development?
• What are the origins of this recruitment?
• What are the challenges that I will face during the first two months?
• What does a typical day look like?
• What are the determining criteria for measuring my performance?
• What are the possible avenues for development in France and internationally?
Recruitment process: Questions to ask
Finally, during your interviews, you can ask very practical questions about the current process, about the different stages you have gone through. You can possibly ask for feedback or, if you are confident enough and the interview went well, you can also ask questions about your arrival in the company.
Here are some questions to ask about the recruiting process:
• Would you like to clarify certain matters regarding my application or my profile?
• Is there an aspect in my profile that holds you back?
• When would you like me to make myself available for a next interview (or to start on this position)?
Some examples of questions to ask during an interview
What challenges will I face during the first two months?
This subject will surely come up if you are interviewed for a management position. On the other hand, if this is not the case, it is up to you to ask it. The first two months correspond to the trial period during which a company will evaluate your skills and judge your compatibility with the position. It is therefore essential to prepare yourself in advance and to have perfect knowledge of the company’s expectations regarding the position, but also, of course, of the expectations for said position.
If the challenges seem insurmountable to you, you must not despair and let yourself be defeated. As a new employee, you will be judged on your level of adaptability and not just your technical knowledge. If this is your dream job, you must be prepared to demonstrate flexibility and determination.
Is there something in my profile that is holding you back?
Recruiters appreciate this question because it shows the extent to which the candidate can gain critical perspective on themselves and their professional and academic career. The answer can sometimes be unpleasant, but it is better to know the points that could be detrimental in advance, to then adapt your arguments based on their feedback.
If, for example, the recruiter points out to you: “I’m afraid you won’t be happy in this position. You will not be in direct contact with customers.” You can answer: “I understand your concern. But that’s exactly why I’m applying for this job. I have held positions in direct contact with customers for a very long time and I would now like to discover new horizons.”
If the answer does not convince your recruiter, this will be an opportunity to learn something about your profile. You will thus be able to prepare a better argument for your next interviews, by highlighting this dimension, perhaps among your faults, if you are asked, and by explaining how you can overcome this negative point or how you can sublimate it to make it a quality.
This question establishes a human dimension to the exchange and moves it away from traditional business topics, which is rare during job interviews. This is an opportunity for you to judge the character traits and relational qualities (empathy, listening, emotional intelligence, etc.) of your future manager. Here is an example of a good answer: “ I noticed that it is not easy to manage a team remotely. I understand better how difficult it is to reconcile work and family life in the same environment. I have implemented certain measures to make work more efficient and less stressful for my team. »
The recruiter may even return the question to you and push the debate further. This exchange will allow you to create deeper and more personal connections. This question will give you the opportunity to judge your manager’s abilities in times of crisis, but also the confidence he places in his teams. If you don’t like the answer, you can avoid working for a company where the management is not in line with your principles or values.
What measures has the company put in place to promote diversity, equality and fairness?
Some people hesitate to ask this question so as not to appear intrusive, except that it is essential. The objective is to have personal feedback on the company’s social commitment. Has it made any social changes over the past year? Is there a team dedicated to promoting equality in all its forms? Were the results quantifiable?
The answers will help you know if the company’s values are in line with yours and to what extent the company is motivated to achieve its objectives. Once again, if you see that this question is disturbing or if you are not satisfied with your recruiter’s answer, you will avoid a bad experience.
