The Interview is a Two-way Conversation
By Frank Traditi
As much as it may feel like you are on stage and having to do the performance of a lifetime, the interview is an exchange of information. You are uncovering just as much information about the company, culture, job, direction, issues and challenges during this brief encounter. Any information exchanged during the interview gives both parties a sense of whether or not you are a fit for each other.
Acquiring this information is gained through a good questioning plan. When the interviewer asks, "What questions do you have of me?", you don't want to stumble through and sound ill-prepared. A good line of questioning leaves a mark that you did your homework.
Thought-provoking, strategic-minded, and engaging questions strike up valuable conversation giving you insight into the inner-workings of the company. Just as questions from the interviewer leave an impression with you, so do the questions you ask of them. There is a difference you should be aware of however. You are not interviewing the interviewer.
If the interviewer begins to feel like it's an interrogation on your part, they might get turned off. The key is to plan out and ask questions that allow them to speak freely about the company, the position, and a way for them to sell the company to you. It's at this point you know you are truly in a two-way conversation. As you fold in each question, you may find the conversation leads down other paths and giving you a chance to respond with an idea or a relevant story demonstrating your abilities.
Try to memorize your questions. Rather than reading them off a list, which may appear to the interviewer as an interrogation, just casually break in with your questions. This gives your interviewer the impression you can think on your feet and engage in strategic discussions extemporaneously.
Here's ten questions you can memorize right now. They are all open-ended questions that elicit a detailed answer. Any of these questions may lead you in a new direction and dialogue. As you listen to the responses, be prepared to expand on those thoughts. You might get more information than you thought possible.
And the questions are:
- Why is your company successful?
- What are your strategies for getting and keeping customers?
- What differentiates your products and services from your competitors?
- What are your expectations for the job?
- What does success look like in this job?
- What are the top three challenges your organization is dealing with right now?
- Where do you see the firm in 3-5 years?
- Why is the current position open?
- What were the reasons you went to work here?
- Tell me about the culture of the company.
This list of questions is not exhaustive. You may come up with your own versions or different questions entirely. In any case, have a plan. And, be prepared to ask these questions at any point during the interview. You may not have to wait until the end when you're asked.
Here's to striking up conversation.
Copyright © 2006, Frank Traditi
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