For Employers:   Login   Post Jobs   Why Jobing?
 
  Clear

Advanced Search - Detailed Search for Orange County Jobs
 
OrangeCounty Change Location
 

Blog Post: Interview Questions that Drive Employers Wild!


posted Saturday, August 18, 2007 10:55 AM

 Your interview time and date have been set. What’s your next step? 

Do your homework, performing intensive research of the company, gather and create your questions. The best place to start is the company’s website. The areas you want to research and review are “About the Company”, “Mission/Vision”, “Ethics/Values/Philosophy”, and “Investor Relations.” If you know employees, probe them as well. 

Write down any and all questions that come to mind while doing your research and take them with you. Bringing prepared questions and taking notes during an interview is seen as a positive. 

Interviewer’s love it when you know about their company. Doing your due diligence gives the employer insight into the kind of employee you will be; it opens the door for more comprehensive dialogue and helps get you inside the head of the interviewer. When I was a Manager there was nothing more disappointing than taking your precious time to interview someone, giving them this host of information and when you ask them if they have anything…all you hear is crickets

In the “about us” you find that a company has 585,000 clients and nearly $8 B in revenue, you could ask; 

  • 1.       I understand that your company has 585,000 clients and nearly $8B in revenue, what do you believe are the reasons for the company’s sustained success?
  • 2.       What traits do the employees of this company possess that has led to success for this company/department/organization? 

Asking pertinent, specific questions of the interviewer will give you insight into what is expected from you, if hired.  

You read the Mission and Vision statement and discover that the company is committed and dedicated to several things; Quality products, Superior Service, Outstanding Associates, Ethics and a host of other goals, cite some of the statements and ask: 

  • I see your company is dedicated and committed to “X”, what goals, objectives and tasks does this organization perform to ensure that the company is successful?
  • How does this organization fit into the company’s strategy for ensuring that the company or department is successful? 

    “Ethics/Values/Philosophy” and “Investor Relations” are more for you to determine if you would like to work for the company or not. Value alignment is critical to succeed in a company and within its culture. Investor Relations provides insight into the company’s overall financial health and well being. 

    Make the interview personal. An interview is a time to connect with the person. More than likely this will be the person you will directly report or if a panel interview, the people you will most likely work. Ask questions, such as: 

  • How long have you been with the company?
  • What are the things about the company you like?
  • What don’t you like?
  • What do you like about your job?
  • What don’t you like?
  • What are your goals and expectations for the person who fills this position?
  • Very important…what happened to the person who previously held this position?
  • If there are any challenges in this department, what would you say they are?
  • What do you believe is the cause?
  • Would you say that the employees of this department have the tools and resources to do their job effectively?
  • At the end of the interview, always ask…what are the next steps? 

    Of course the questions would depend on the interviewer and the conversations; however these are a good start. Always remember the purpose of the interview is for you and the company to determine if you are a good fit for each otherIf you don't ask questions, you can't get answers.

    Relax. Be prepared. Go jobing!


  • Comments 0 |
    10  | 
    Email to Friend
    Permalink
    Digg
    Technorati
    del.icio.us

    ORANGE COUNTY
    COMMUNITY BLOG
    RSS
    Add to My Yahoo!
    Add to Google
    Add to My AOL
     Flag as Inappropriate
     
    Community Comments
    There are no comments for this post yet.
    Post Your Comments
    If you already have an account, enter your email address below to login. If you do not have a My Jobing Account, enter your email address to get started!
     
    EMAIL
    (ex. username@aol.com)
    FIRST NAME
    LAST NAME
    CODE
    This helps prevent automated spam comments.



     

    About This Author
    Tonya Haynes

     

    Contact Me
     
    About Me
    25 years corporate and executive level experience prepared me for pursuing my passion for executing seamless process flows, eliminating barriers and silos between organizations and teaching the art of strategic talent management.
    Tonya Haynes Blog Archive
    Subscribe to Tonya Haynes 's Blog
    RSS RSS Add to My Yahoo! Add to Google Add to My AOL


     

    520.0.1094.1
    Copyright ©1999-2009 Jobing.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Orange County Jobs - Orange County's Jobing Community