18 Questions Job Seekers Can Ask an Interviewer

Although it might not always feel like it, an interview is a two-sided evaluation. Interviewing, especially in multiple rounds, allows job seekers to determine how the company can fulfill their professional goals. Asking questions can also potentially underscore your interest in a position. So, when asked if you have any questions for them at the end of an interview, it’s a mistake to say no. According to online job search expert Susan P. Joyce, “Typically, a job seeker with no questions is assumed to be either not interested or not very bright.” Snag that opportunity to do some value sleuthing of your own. Below, we’ve gathered eighteen impact-driven and cultural questions to utilize when interviewing.

Basic questions get basic answers

Taking the time to ask thoughtful questions will always pay off; it proves you’ve not only done your research but were fully engaged while being interviewed thus far. It can be just as frustrating for hiring managers to be asked generic questions that they answered minutes before.

Frame questions in a way that demands detail. For example, instead of asking, “what type of person succeeds in this role?” Ask, “What three adjectives immediately come to mind when describing the candidate needed in this role?” This forces the hiring manager to articulate the soft skills they’re looking for and provides opportunities for a follow-up, like asking them to validate why they chose each one by giving an example of how that adjective would support their success in the role. Limiting must-haves can narrow down the qualifications and skillsets the company needs most.

The power of impact-driven questions

Impact-driven questions communicate the root problems that need to be solved strategically. Therefore, we suggest the following examples.

What are some of the first projects the person in this role will work on? / a typical day for the person in this role
What three soft and hard skills do you think are most important to succeed in this role? At this company?
What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first 60 days?
How does this position contribute to the company’s short-term and long-term goals?
What are the biggest goals for the company?
How does this team/role contribute to the company goals?
Now that we’ve discussed my qualifications and the job, do you have any concerns about my success in this position?

Keep culture in mind

For most job seekers, the position isn’t enough to keep them locked in. Culture matters. The following (if applicable) are beneficial questions to have on hand that can provide some insight into the day-to-day of the company.

How does this position contribute to the company’s short-term and long-term goals?
How does this company define and measure success?
Have employees previously in this role advanced in the company? What kinds of roles do they have now?
What is your favorite part about your job? This company?
What professional development opportunities are available to employees?
Have employees previously in this role advanced in the company? What kinds of roles do they have now?
What is something unique that you like about the company?

Practical follow-up questions to ask

Nothing is worse than not knowing where you stand. Don’t be afraid to ask to be informed or kept on the same page.

Is there any other information I can give you that would be helpful in making a decision?
What is the next step in the hiring process?
By when do you hope to make someone an offer?
Can I answer any final questions for you?

How Concentric can help

Are we saying to show up to an interview prepared to ask all eighteen questions? Not necessarily, but having a handful ready certainly doesn’t hurt.

Concentric takes its role as a hiring partner very seriously because we know the hiring process can be stressful on both sides. To help, we’ll do everything from interview prep and providing advice like that in this article to practice sessions. We want the entire job search to present meaningful personal experiences.

Are you looking for a position outside of tech?

You can connect with our sister company, Clarity. Clarity Search teams up with business owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, Finance, and marketing professionals.

Want to learn more about how Concentric and Clarity can find your perfect professional fit? Contact us today.

Hello, reader. We hope your day is going well.

We’re so happy to have caught your eye and that you’re interested in working with us. However, we wanted to take some time to introduce ourselves a bit more.

The team at Concentric is full of experts in the hiring process, aiming to connect quality companies and top-tier professionals for both permanent and contract opportunities that offer sustainable growth. While we’re proud of that, that’s not the only benefit of working with Concentric. Partnerships are about more than making promises.

Our Story

The hiring and staffing industry is flush with recruiters who spend most of their days rapidly reviewing resumes for keywords that don’t provide the complete picture of a candidate or their alignment with a company’s goals. Putting all your eggs in the buzzword basket can lead to uneven match quality and low retention rates.

We were dissatisfied with this transactional nature in an industry fueled by people. Therefore, we have taken over two decades of experience in the space and are determined to make the hiring process more personal. We knew Concentric could offer what the executive search and recruiting industry was missing— a company passionate about relationships and connecting professionals at every level. A solution that no career or resume website could offer: an in-depth understanding of both sides. Evaluating layer by layer from an unbiased position allows transparency and honesty, which uncovers effective results in each side’s search.

Why Concentric is different

With a little effort, anyone can fill a job opening. But finding a good fit— someone who can grow and succeed at a company for the long term and an employer who remains happy with that employee for years to come–requires something more.

As our founder, Andy, says, “we’re not your average staffing company.”

We know you’ve probably heard that one before but stay with us. Considering the cultural fit that aligns with company goals along with skillset strengthens team processes, builds healthier companies, and heightens employee retention.

Concentric’s approach to recruiting top-tier professionals for thousands of permanent and temporary IT and tech corporate positions is rooted in our core belief that aligning companies with high-quality talent starts at the relationship level. Our process isn’t just different from typical IT staffing— it’s proven successful, resulting in an 80% candidate retention rate after hire.

We invest time in profoundly understanding the needs of both clients and candidates to ensure that we find the right match for all parties involved. Our focus is more than selling a job; it’s about finding the right fit for your goals.

Concentric provides a hands-on coaching experience in interviewing and onboarding. Do you need someone to help you navigate difficult interview questions? Confer with about your first-day attire choices? Land that ideal position? We’re here for you at no cost. We connect candidates with decision-makers directly. There’s no getting lost in the HR void. Find out where you stand sooner so you can confidently take your next step toward opportunities to excel (and get a job as a bonus).

Who we work with

Concentric specializes in Senior level and Executive IT and Tech Staffing for the following areas:

hardware
software
security
infrastructure engineering
data engineering and intelligence
leadership/management

But those are just the positions.

We work with people who have doom-scrolled job boards and want more. They’re looking for a more effective hiring process that includes a humanized approach instead of cold keyword algorithms.

From day one, our recruiters are your only point of contact. What does this look like exactly? We start with an initial in-person meeting to discuss goals and ambitions and follow up as a friendly face at the first job interview and first day. Concentric takes this role very seriously because we know the hiring process is stressful, and we want to help. This can look like anything from beefing up a resume, interview prep and practice sessions, and even advice for a first interview ensemble—the entire job search, with all the personal experiences— at no cost to you.

Concentric strives to build mutually beneficial connections between companies and candidates so that all parties can grow toward sustainable success.

Are you looking for a position outside of tech?

We can still help! Connect with our sister company Clarity. Clarity Search teams up with business owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, finance, and marketing professionals.

We appreciate your time and attention and look forward to connecting with you soon!

Sincerely,

the Concentric team

Tag: Tech Staffing