When things are going well with a job search, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement.
People are paying attention! You are getting interviews!
You can feel that offer lingering on the sidelines.
And yet, there’s that nagging little voice:
“Will I get into a situation that’s just as bad as my last one?”
“What if the employer is selling me a bill of goods?”
“What aren’t they sharing?”
😳
There are a few ways you can feel better. One of them is to know what you should ask in that interview.
I say, “What you should ask,” because most people go into the situation unprepared. They don’t consider that they, too, are there to determine whether this job is a good fit.
Because, guess what? You do not have take a job just because they offer. It’s not a Draft Notice!
Here are some questions that can help you explore a bit more while you’re checking them out. Consider asking these next time you are in an interview:
✔️Why is the job open? (The answer could tell you what things are like at that company.)
✔️When and why have you promoted people? (This will give you information about what is most important to them.)
✔️What happens when your team is facing criticism? Or when a project doesn’t work out quite right? (This will help you decide if they believe in growth, or just blame.)
✔️How do you support work/life balance? (This one will help you see if they’re adapting to the many changes that are taking place in workplace culture.)
✔️What are the main challenges your new hire in this role will face? How do you measure success? (This will tell you what you could be in for and what you need to bring to the table to show you are the right candidate.)
✔️Do you have a diversity, equity, and inclusion policy? (This will show you how much they think about their employees at a very core level. If they have barely thought about this, that is something to make a mental note of.)
Above all, research the job and the company thoroughly before you interview. (Really, that should start before you apply!) Talk to current and past staff members, read articles, read reviews, talk to people who know about the firm.
When they make the offer, you will be in a much better place to say, “Great!” or “I don’t think this is the right fit.”