Job seekers far too often are walking into their interviews unprepared to maximize their shot at wowing the person interviewing them for a job. That is a shame and something that is one hundred percent their own fault. In life hard work pays off and say too does preparation. When someone combines preparation and hard work, normally they find success.
For those in the job search process at the start of 2022, landing an interview can be very challenging. Jobseekers should not squander the opportunity to ace the interview they have earned by getting past the ATS screen and/or the first recruiter scan. Because jobs are in high demand and competition for each job is up, preparing is paramount to helping increase the chance of being hired.
Certainly, one thing that can increase the odds of everyone who interviews, is coming to the interview prepared with predetermined questions. The questions can help ensure the candidate has the information they need to make a decision about accepting the terms of any future job offers. Beyond that, the questions can also help impress the one interviewing the candidate under consideration.
Wow Them with Preparation and Interest
The people who interview often are looking for something more than just qualifications. They normally want to see a spark and passion for the job or the company or both. One sure fire way a candidate can show their interest is to come in knowing all about what the company does, the history, the industry and how the company fits into the bigger picture. Most candidates can get that straight off the company’s website if they would read it first. A candidate who knows and conveys that knowledge organically into the conversation can catapult from the bottom of the stack to the top of the list for consideration.
Candidates should ask something relevant about the company’s future. Any of the following could be used: Is the company planning to go public in the future? What potential impact does advancing technology and software have on the company? What is the next product or service you think the company will offer? Where do you see the next major advancement or opportunity for the company developing? Any of these or questions like them can help show that the candidate is truly interested in the success of the company and they’re not just thinking about themselves or the paycheck they will earn.
What About That Raise?
Every successful interview leads to a question about compensation. Most people get nervous and flub the opportunity to truly utilize this conversation in their favor. Certainly most are not trained negotiators so the problem is not all that surprising. Those who read this advice and follow through on it however will be glad they did. The second question every candidate should ask is about the raise. Specifically, the question should be, “before I can tell you how much I need to make, can you please tell me exactly how you handle raises here?”
The question is so obvious yet very rarely asked. Why? Because people are timid or they are just excited to be employed again. Too many believe that they will just “wow” the employer and get a raise in a few short months, however many companies do not consider raises for 12 to 24 months after a new hire starts. Negotiate for what you need and what the position is worth, not just at the moment you start, but for the duration of the period until the raise is realistic. One must consider what the market bares and inflation over the period, so some basic math is required here. Make sure you ask the question and do the math before answering their question about how much you need to make.
People are leaving jobs after 12 to 18 months because they fail to ask this question about raises in the interview. For your benefit, do not skip this question.
Even the Playing Field
One can feel intimidated in an interview, however there are ways to even the playing field. The third question I recommend every candidate ask before the interview is over helps to clarify that the interview goes both ways. A candidate should ask, “why is this position available?” Not every job is a new position. Sometimes there are culture issues, like low pay, a bad manager or other things that you might want to know about before accepting the job offer.
In the article Win The Interview I discuss tips on how to check on the culture of a company before you join. Make sure you check into this as you don’t want to walk into a job blindly and find out you just entered a form of Squid Game.
Candidates who ask these three questions will help improve their chances of being hired and finding success in the new role. For more tips on how to get hired, make sure to read the other blog articles here on ProjectHelpYouGrow’s website.