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Digest #3332
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Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:17 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Peter Lutz" peter_f_lutz
Happy Thanksgiving !!!
Best regards,
Peter Lutz
"Bridging the gap between Business and Information Technology"
*Contact Details*
908.672.9150
lutzpf@gmail.com
Connect with me on Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/peterlutz
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/peterlutz
Skype me at: peterl1434
View or Download My Resume : https://www.box.com/s/vwndc8i227xa9e4s719e
[image: IIBA -logo -Member -ORANGE.png]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Lutz <lutzpf@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 7:16 PM
Subject: Job Interview : The 5 Questions YOU Must Ask the Interviewer
To: Carol Freeman <freemanc@fultonschools.org>, Carol Freeman <
carolwfreeman@att.net>, Ross Freeman <ross.freeman@infor.com>, Vivien
Warren <vivienwarren1434@gmail.com>, Charlie Freeman <
charles.freeman@tkc.edu>, "Lutz, Peter" <lutzpf@gmail.com>, John Saunders <
jfsaunder@gmail.com>, Dave Tremblay <dave_tremblay@yahoo.com>
- Show More
[image: Article cover image]
[image: Bernard Marr]
<https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=64875646&authType=name&authToken=1h-R&trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr>
Bernard Marr
<https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=64875646&authType=name&authToken=1h-R&trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr>
Influencer
Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant in Strategy,
Performance Management, Analytics, KPIs and Big Data
Following
<https://www.linkedin.com/ngroups/ajax/unfollow_member?followee=64875646&csrfToken=ajax%3A7388907091522323099>
Job Interview: The 5 Questions YOU Must Ask
Nov 24 2014
- 83,882Views
- 844Likes
- 195Comments
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141124074017-64875646-job-interview-the-5-questions-you-must-ask#comments-8431597773505937475>
- Share on LinkedIn
<http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141124074017-64875646-job-interview-the-5-questions-you-must-ask&summary=%E2%80%9CSo%2C%20what%20questions%20do%20you%20have%20for%20us%3F%E2%80%9DIt%E2%80%99s%20the%20inevitable%20question%20that%20comes%20at%20the%20end%20of%20nearly%20every%20job%20interview%20%E2%80%94%20and%20yet%20it%E2%80%99s%20the%20one%20question%20job%20seekers%20rarely%20have%20prepared%20an%20answer%20to.%20And%20when%20people%20do%20think%20to%20prepare%20for%20this%20part%20of%20the%20interview%2C%20they%20often%20ask%20bland%20stock%20questions%20that%20aren%E2%80%99t%20truly%20important%20to%20their%20job%20hunt.People%20get%20so%20hung%20up%20on%20preparing%20for%20the%20question%20they%20might%20get%20asked%20that%20they%20often%20forget%20to%20answer%20important%20questions%20they%20should%20have%20and%20need%20answers%20to.Unfortunately%2C%20in%20a%20down%20economy%2C%20job%20hunters%20ten>
- Share on Facebook
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"So, what questions do you have for us?"
It's the inevitable question that comes at the end of nearly every job
interview — and yet it's the *one* question job seekers rarely have
prepared an answer to. And when people do think to prepare for this part of
the interview, they often ask bland stock questions that aren't truly
important to their job hunt.
People get so hung up on preparing for the question they might get asked
that they often forget to answer important questions they should have and
*need* answers to.
Unfortunately, in a down economy, job hunters tend to adopt a scarcity
mindset. If you need work, you may not be able to afford to be picky about
which offer you accept, but that doesn't mean you have to approach the
interview from that frame of mind.
Rather, if you ask questions as though you are weighing the offer of this
job against other offers (whether you are or not) you'll be in a better
position to know if the job is a good fit for you and how you can best
succeed with the company.
Remember: The power in these situations is with the listener, so you can
end on a powerful note by asking thoughtful, insightful questions that not
only make the interviewer think, but give you answers you need to make a
choice about whether or not to accept the job.
Here are my top five:
- *Which of my skills do you see as most important for the challenges
that come with the position? *You want a job that leverages your key
strengths. Answering this question help you understand whether the company
is interested in you because of they key skills you have and want to grow,
or maybe for other skills you see as less important to focus on and grow.
It also helps you to check whether the challenges they see for the position
you are applying for are the same you were expecting.
- *How will the company help me develop?* You don't want to simply apply
your skills, you also want to improve and learn new things. Make sure there
is a plan or a support system to ensure this happens before you accept the
job. This can come in form of support for continuous professional
development or other support such as coaching or mentoring schemes. Asking
this question also shows the interviewer that you're interested in
self-improvement and growing with the company.
- *Can you tell me a little about the team I'll be working with?* This
is an excellent question to address the culture of the company — without
actually asking about the "culture" of the company. You might find you get
a very different answer than what's printed in the company's mission
statement or on their website. It will help you to understand how well you
fit in with the company, and psychologically it's a great question to ask
because it gently assumes you'll be getting the position.
- *What constitutes success with this position and company?* This is a
great way to demonstrate that you're interested in succeeding (not just
punching a time clock) but it also gives you key insights into the
expectations of the position and the culture of the company.
- *Do you see any gaps in my skills or qualifications that I need to
fill?* This is a bold, gutsy question. Not everyone is going to be
confident enough to ask it, which is going to set you apart from the
competition. To the interviewer, it shows that you're a bold thinker and
demonstrates that you're willing to fill any gaps that might exist. For
you, the worst-case scenario is that there are gaps that will preclude you
from getting the job, but that's valuable information to take into your
next interview. In the best case, the interviewer won't have any answer,
and hopefully you'll be shortlisted for the position!
Some interviewers may consider this portion of the interview a "throwaway,"
answering easy questions about salary, benefits, time off, etc. But for the
applicant, it's an excellent opportunity to stand out, get important
answers you need to know if you're a good fit for the job, and demonstrate
that you're an individual, not just a resume in a pile.
Of course, you don't have to wait until the end to ask your questions. In
fact, it is much better (and much more natural) if you cover these
questions during the interview.
As always, I'd love to hear your views. Have you got any other key
questions a job hunter should ask the potential employer in an interview?
Share them or any other thoughts in the comments below. I look forward to
reading your responses.
-------------------
I really appreciate that you are reading my post. Here, at LinkedIn, I
regularly write about management and technology issues and trends. If you
would like to read my regular posts then please click 'Follow' (at the top
of the page) and feel free to also connect via Twitter
<https://twitter.com/BernardMarr>, Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/apinstitute> and The Advanced Performance
Institute <http://www.ap-institute.com/>.
Here are some other recent posts I have written:
- The
<http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130722010536-64875646-the-one-thing-successful-people-always-do?published=t>One
Thing Successful People Never Do
<https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130715085900-64875646-the-one-thing-successful-people-never-do?trk=mp-reader-card&_mSplash=1>
- 8 Signs of a bad Leader
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141106072016-64875646-the-8-signs-of-a-bad-leader?trk=mp-author-card>
- Job Interview: Why Only 3 Questions Really Matter
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140331030822-64875646-job-interview-why-only-3-questions-really-matter?trk=mp-author-card>
- The Toughest Interview Question Of All... And How To Answer It
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140318071857-64875646-the-toughest-interview-question-of-all-and-how-to-answer-it?trk=mp-author-card>
- Job Interview Questions You Should Not Answer (Or Ask)
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140403061420-64875646-job-interview-questions-you-shouldn-t-answer-or-ask?trk=mp-author-card>
- 5
<http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140331030822-64875646-job-interview-why-only-3-questions-really-matter?trk=mp-author-card>
Sad
Truths About Success And Happiness
<https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140624062305-64875646-5-sad-truths-about-success-and-happiness?trk=mp-author-card>
- The 15 Biggest Body Language Mistakes To Watch Out For
<https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140707061900-64875646-the-15-biggest-body-language-mistakes-to-watch-out-for?trk=mp-author-card>
- The 25 KPIs Every Manager Needs to Know
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140729071337-64875646-the-25-kpis-every-manager-must-know?trk=mp-author-card>
*
<http://www.ap-institute.com/books/essential-reads/25-need-to-know-performance-indicators.aspx>
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-More-Less-Not---Profit/dp/1137437790/ref=asap_B001H6KUSS_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416822393&sr=1-3>About
: Bernard Marr <http://www.ap-institute.com/chief-executive.aspx> is a
globally recognized expert in strategy, performance management, analytics,
KPIs and big data. He helps companies and executive teams manage, measure
and improve performance. His latest books are '25 Need-to-Know Key
Performance Indicators'
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1292016477/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1292016477&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwwapinstitu-21>
and
'Doing More with Less
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-More-Less-Not---Profit/dp/1137437790/ref=asap_B001H6KUSS_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416404358&sr=1-4>'.*
Best regards,
Peter Lutz
"Bridging the gap between Business and Information Technology"
*Contact Details*
908.672.9150
lutzpf@gmail.com
Connect with me on Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/peterlutz
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/peterlutz
Skype me at: peterl1434
View or Download My Resume : https://www.box.com/s/vwndc8i227xa9e4s719e
[image: IIBA -logo -Member -ORANGE.png]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Lutz <lutzpf@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 7:16 PM
Subject: Job Interview : The 5 Questions YOU Must Ask the Interviewer
To: Carol Freeman <freemanc@fultonschools.org>, Carol Freeman <
carolwfreeman@att.net>, Ross Freeman <ross.freeman@infor.com>, Vivien
Warren <vivienwarren1434@gmail.com>, Charlie Freeman <
charles.freeman@tkc.edu>, "Lutz, Peter" <lutzpf@gmail.com>, John Saunders <
jfsaunder@gmail.com>, Dave Tremblay <dave_tremblay@yahoo.com>
- Show More
[image: Article cover image]
[image: Bernard Marr]
<https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=64875646&authType=name&authToken=1h-R&trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr>
Bernard Marr
<https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=64875646&authType=name&authToken=1h-R&trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr>
Influencer
Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant in Strategy,
Performance Management, Analytics, KPIs and Big Data
Following
<https://www.linkedin.com/ngroups/ajax/unfollow_member?followee=64875646&csrfToken=ajax%3A7388907091522323099>
Job Interview: The 5 Questions YOU Must Ask
Nov 24 2014
- 83,882Views
- 844Likes
- 195Comments
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141124074017-64875646-job-interview-the-5-questions-you-must-ask#comments-8431597773505937475>
- Share on LinkedIn
<http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141124074017-64875646-job-interview-the-5-questions-you-must-ask&summary=%E2%80%9CSo%2C%20what%20questions%20do%20you%20have%20for%20us%3F%E2%80%9DIt%E2%80%99s%20the%20inevitable%20question%20that%20comes%20at%20the%20end%20of%20nearly%20every%20job%20interview%20%E2%80%94%20and%20yet%20it%E2%80%99s%20the%20one%20question%20job%20seekers%20rarely%20have%20prepared%20an%20answer%20to.%20And%20when%20people%20do%20think%20to%20prepare%20for%20this%20part%20of%20the%20interview%2C%20they%20often%20ask%20bland%20stock%20questions%20that%20aren%E2%80%99t%20truly%20important%20to%20their%20job%20hunt.People%20get%20so%20hung%20up%20on%20preparing%20for%20the%20question%20they%20might%20get%20asked%20that%20they%20often%20forget%20to%20answer%20important%20questions%20they%20should%20have%20and%20need%20answers%20to.Unfortunately%2C%20in%20a%20down%20economy%2C%20job%20hunters%20ten>
- Share on Facebook
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"So, what questions do you have for us?"
It's the inevitable question that comes at the end of nearly every job
interview — and yet it's the *one* question job seekers rarely have
prepared an answer to. And when people do think to prepare for this part of
the interview, they often ask bland stock questions that aren't truly
important to their job hunt.
People get so hung up on preparing for the question they might get asked
that they often forget to answer important questions they should have and
*need* answers to.
Unfortunately, in a down economy, job hunters tend to adopt a scarcity
mindset. If you need work, you may not be able to afford to be picky about
which offer you accept, but that doesn't mean you have to approach the
interview from that frame of mind.
Rather, if you ask questions as though you are weighing the offer of this
job against other offers (whether you are or not) you'll be in a better
position to know if the job is a good fit for you and how you can best
succeed with the company.
Remember: The power in these situations is with the listener, so you can
end on a powerful note by asking thoughtful, insightful questions that not
only make the interviewer think, but give you answers you need to make a
choice about whether or not to accept the job.
Here are my top five:
- *Which of my skills do you see as most important for the challenges
that come with the position? *You want a job that leverages your key
strengths. Answering this question help you understand whether the company
is interested in you because of they key skills you have and want to grow,
or maybe for other skills you see as less important to focus on and grow.
It also helps you to check whether the challenges they see for the position
you are applying for are the same you were expecting.
- *How will the company help me develop?* You don't want to simply apply
your skills, you also want to improve and learn new things. Make sure there
is a plan or a support system to ensure this happens before you accept the
job. This can come in form of support for continuous professional
development or other support such as coaching or mentoring schemes. Asking
this question also shows the interviewer that you're interested in
self-improvement and growing with the company.
- *Can you tell me a little about the team I'll be working with?* This
is an excellent question to address the culture of the company — without
actually asking about the "culture" of the company. You might find you get
a very different answer than what's printed in the company's mission
statement or on their website. It will help you to understand how well you
fit in with the company, and psychologically it's a great question to ask
because it gently assumes you'll be getting the position.
- *What constitutes success with this position and company?* This is a
great way to demonstrate that you're interested in succeeding (not just
punching a time clock) but it also gives you key insights into the
expectations of the position and the culture of the company.
- *Do you see any gaps in my skills or qualifications that I need to
fill?* This is a bold, gutsy question. Not everyone is going to be
confident enough to ask it, which is going to set you apart from the
competition. To the interviewer, it shows that you're a bold thinker and
demonstrates that you're willing to fill any gaps that might exist. For
you, the worst-case scenario is that there are gaps that will preclude you
from getting the job, but that's valuable information to take into your
next interview. In the best case, the interviewer won't have any answer,
and hopefully you'll be shortlisted for the position!
Some interviewers may consider this portion of the interview a "throwaway,"
answering easy questions about salary, benefits, time off, etc. But for the
applicant, it's an excellent opportunity to stand out, get important
answers you need to know if you're a good fit for the job, and demonstrate
that you're an individual, not just a resume in a pile.
Of course, you don't have to wait until the end to ask your questions. In
fact, it is much better (and much more natural) if you cover these
questions during the interview.
As always, I'd love to hear your views. Have you got any other key
questions a job hunter should ask the potential employer in an interview?
Share them or any other thoughts in the comments below. I look forward to
reading your responses.
-------------------
I really appreciate that you are reading my post. Here, at LinkedIn, I
regularly write about management and technology issues and trends. If you
would like to read my regular posts then please click 'Follow' (at the top
of the page) and feel free to also connect via Twitter
<https://twitter.com/BernardMarr>, Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/apinstitute> and The Advanced Performance
Institute <http://www.ap-institute.com/>.
Here are some other recent posts I have written:
- The
<http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130722010536-64875646-the-one-thing-successful-people-always-do?published=t>One
Thing Successful People Never Do
<https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130715085900-64875646-the-one-thing-successful-people-never-do?trk=mp-reader-card&_mSplash=1>
- 8 Signs of a bad Leader
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141106072016-64875646-the-8-signs-of-a-bad-leader?trk=mp-author-card>
- Job Interview: Why Only 3 Questions Really Matter
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140331030822-64875646-job-interview-why-only-3-questions-really-matter?trk=mp-author-card>
- The Toughest Interview Question Of All... And How To Answer It
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140318071857-64875646-the-toughest-interview-question-of-all-and-how-to-answer-it?trk=mp-author-card>
- Job Interview Questions You Should Not Answer (Or Ask)
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140403061420-64875646-job-interview-questions-you-shouldn-t-answer-or-ask?trk=mp-author-card>
- 5
<http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140331030822-64875646-job-interview-why-only-3-questions-really-matter?trk=mp-author-card>
Sad
Truths About Success And Happiness
<https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140624062305-64875646-5-sad-truths-about-success-and-happiness?trk=mp-author-card>
- The 15 Biggest Body Language Mistakes To Watch Out For
<https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140707061900-64875646-the-15-biggest-body-language-mistakes-to-watch-out-for?trk=mp-author-card>
- The 25 KPIs Every Manager Needs to Know
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140729071337-64875646-the-25-kpis-every-manager-must-know?trk=mp-author-card>
*
<http://www.ap-institute.com/books/essential-reads/25-need-to-know-performance-indicators.aspx>
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-More-Less-Not---Profit/dp/1137437790/ref=asap_B001H6KUSS_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416822393&sr=1-3>About
: Bernard Marr <http://www.ap-institute.com/chief-executive.aspx> is a
globally recognized expert in strategy, performance management, analytics,
KPIs and big data. He helps companies and executive teams manage, measure
and improve performance. His latest books are '25 Need-to-Know Key
Performance Indicators'
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1292016477/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1292016477&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwwapinstitu-21>
and
'Doing More with Less
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-More-Less-Not---Profit/dp/1137437790/ref=asap_B001H6KUSS_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416404358&sr=1-4>'.*
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