Post interview questions to ask & saying these words: “I want the job.”
It’s important to remember that any interview is a two way street, and that means you’re interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing you. The majority of companies reserve ~10 minutes at the end of each interview for you to ask THEM questions… which means if your interview is structured in six, 1-hour interviews with different people… that means you’ll have 60 whole minutes of questions you can ask of them. Don’t waste it. Take this opportunity to see whether or not the company is a good fit for you, not just the other way around. And show them that you take the interview and the opportunity seriously.
But what should I ask? Remember these three categories. It will help:
- Leadership: With any company you join, you want to have a really good sense for the Founders, CEO, Exec team, and your manager. After all… they are leading the company. If they are amazing, your company will have the highest likelihood of success. If they suck, the company will suck. Understanding those at the helm of the ship is the most important thing that EVERYONE interviewing at a company should have a strong opinion of (one way or the other) by the time of receiving an offer. This includes their vision for the future, the industry, their values, how they treat customers and and how they approach hiring a killer team.
- Growth: You must have details about the growth of the company. I’ve heard of people joining companies they thought were “high growth” only to find that growth was neutral (or worse… declining) for the past 12 months. There’s a saying: “Growth cures all.” While it may not actually cure everythingggg… it typically cures a lot. Growth creates opportunities. For the company, for your department, and for YOU. Know up front whether you’re walking into a company that is truly high growth given the company’s stage, or whether it’s a turnaround company in a rebuilding year.
- Values (Culture): You should know after leaving the interview if the culture of the company is a match for you. And when I say culture, what I’m really referring to is “values.” Does the company’s stated values resonate with you… and more importantly, does the company practice what they preach.
By failing to prepare sharp questions across these dimensions, the company may conclude that you do not take preparation seriously, or worse that you aren’t interested in the company or role.
Provided below are some good questions to ask (keep them open-ended):
- Leadership
- Why did you join this company when you did? (See if they speak to leadership… if they don’t it’s a red flag).
- Can you tell me about the strategy and goals of the company in your own words? (If someone in the team… particularly higher level management… can’t speak to this… it’s a red flag).
- Can you tell me about the vision for the company? (I like asking this question to peers and my potential future manager b/c if they can’t speak to the vision… it typically means the founders/exec team hasn’t done a great job at crafting a vision everyone in the company believes in… or at the very least can’t articulate).
- What gets you most excited about this company’s future?
- Are there any unfilled roles on the executive team you consider to be a high priority (Ex: you noticed there is no CMO or CPO)… or are there any departments you’re looking to level up?
2. Growth
- Can you tell me a bit more about the company’s growth in terms of where where it’s going? Paint the picture for me. (See if they speak to growth and the vision for the business, or just simply blocking and tackling type stuff).
- How do you see your department growing over the next 12 months?
- How do you see yourself growing within the company? (If your potential peers who interview you can’t answer this question… it’s typically not a great sign. Why? Because people who are chosen to interview candidates are typically the most trusted / top talent within the company… and if THEY aren’t thinking about their future… it probably means they either aren’t top talent or it’s not an environment that encourages self development and career progression).
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing your department right now? (Best asked to your manager).
- What are my direct report’s strengths and the team’s biggest challenges? (If you’re going to be managing people on day one).
- How involved are employees in structuring their own goals and tasks?
- How does this position I’m applying for contribute to the organization’s success and what do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?
- What are your expectations for my role during the first 30 days, 60 days, year? (Usually best to ask the hiring manager)
- What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it? What KPI’s does this role own that we haven’t spoke about already?
- What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
- Are there opportunities for professional development? If so, what do they look like?
- Is there anything about my background or resume that makes you question whether I am a good fit for this role?
3. Culture
- How would you describe the culture of the company? And how did you transition into it?
- Are there any values that you guys have stated that you think aren’t actually put into practice 100% of the time?
- What makes you proud to work at this company?
- Can you tell me about how you interact with your peers and upper management?
- What type of people tend to really thrive here, and what type don’t do as well?”
And finally: ASK FOR THE JOB. Literally say: “I want this job. I want you to know that. Will you hire me?”
(Think about it like a date. At the end of a date, one would usually say something like this: “I really had a great time tonight. I like you. I’d like to take you out again. Would you like to go out next week for a drink?”
My momma always told me. You don’t get what you don’t ask for. Make the ask. You’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. And it shows confidence. People like confidence.
