| I recently looked up the definition of "job interview" | | | | there any specific appraisal metrics? |
| online and here's what I found: | | | | - What is the likely career progression for this position |
| said "an interview to determine whether an applicant is | | | | within your company? |
| suitable for a position of employment"; | | | | - How would you describe the organisational culture? |
| Wikipedia defined it as "a process in which a potential | | | | I think it's of benefit to ask suitable questions that |
| employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective | | | | arouse a personal response from the hiring manager |
| employment in their company, organization, or firm. | | | | also. It shows you're interested in not only the job on |
| During this process, the employer hopes to determine | | | | offer but the people behind the company and their |
| whether or not the applicant is suitable for the job." | | | | bigger picture. Here's an example: |
| Various other sources reaffirmed the notion that | | | | - What do you enjoy most about working for this |
| interviews are to assess candidates, suggesting the | | | | company? (In my previous company everyone on the |
| control of the process lay solely with the hiring | | | | interview panel was taken aback when asked this by |
| company. This isn't really the case though, as it's as | | | | one of the candidates. I recall us going around the |
| much an opportunity for candidates to assess the | | | | room and answering it one by one, and it seemed |
| suitability of the position on offer. When job-seekers | | | | obvious that we were all in tune with each other. We |
| enter each interview with the mentality that their only | | | | later offered the said candidate a position and he was |
| responsibility is to prove their worth to the employer, | | | | swayed not by the job itself, but rather the people he |
| they set themselves up for failure. | | | | was going to work with.) |
| If you're interviewing this summer for internships or | | | | - If you could change anything about the company, |
| graduate positions, ensure you are forthright in your | | | | what would it be? (Some might think this is |
| questions so the interview flows more like a natural | | | | controversial [perhaps more so in Asia], but I think it's |
| conversation rather than an examination. If you get to | | | | relevant and shows you have the cojones to ask |
| the end of an interview and you're asked "So do you | | | | what most others are afraid to. After all there are |
| have any questions for me?", then you've left your run | | | | aspects of any job you aren't going to like - The Pope |
| too late to ascertain the intricacies of the position. Most | | | | would probably hate responding to criticism against the |
| people would use this as an opportunity to find out | | | | Catholic Church in the media, Michael Phelps probably |
| more about the qualities the successful candidate | | | | wishes he was in bed sleeping rather than doing laps |
| should possess, and other necessary details of the | | | | on many an occasion, and I as a start-up founder hate |
| position. However if you were to discover the | | | | doing administrative duties. These things just have to |
| answers to such questions earlier in the interview, you | | | | be done though! |
| can tailor your responses to suit the requirements. | | | | If the interview has progressed successfully based on |
| Why wait until the end? | | | | a healthy dialogue, then it should culminate to the |
| An interview should be a two-way street and thrive | | | | interviewer asking you "So do you have any OTHER |
| on engagement. In fact any meeting of people in any | | | | questions for me?". This is a timely opportunity to pose |
| context succeeds only when all parties are actively | | | | some wrap-up questions if they haven't been |
| communicating. Have you ever been on a date where | | | | answered previously: |
| the other person is just nodding and listening to what | | | | - Based on the screening process so far, do I possess |
| you say with nothing interesting to contribute to the | | | | the competencies required to excel in this role? |
| conversation? Perhaps you might have taught a | | | | - Are there any qualities you feel I need to improve on |
| creative writing course to primary school students that | | | | in order to be successful in this role? |
| never contributed to the discussion. An interview is a | | | | - Is there anything further you would like to know |
| similar situation and asking questions throughout not | | | | about me to assess my suitability for this role? |
| only shows a keen interest in the role but | | | | - What is the process going forward? When will |
| demonstrates your interpersonal skills. | | | | candidates be notified of the outcome? |
| Here are a list of some questions you might want to | | | | There are so many other intelligent questions that |
| consider asking in your interview. Try and segue into | | | | candidates can pose in interviews, that creating a |
| them also; avoid randomly dropping them in when it's | | | | definitive list would be impossible. The crux of the |
| inappropriate: | | | | questioning should be to respond in a manner that |
| - What are some of the challenges associated with | | | | illustrates you're the best person for the job. |
| this position? | | | | If you found these tips useful then feel free to share |
| - How would you describe the ideal candidate for this | | | | them with friends and others in your network that are |
| position? What qualities should they possess? | | | | seeking work. |
| - How do you assess if I'm doing a good job? Are | | | | |