This question summarizes aspects like the duties, skills required for the job, who you would be accountable to and are accountable to you. It gives you a brief idea about the work associated with the position.
Any corporate job will demand a specific set of skills. To be capable and perform the duties without any errors, you need to possess the expertise to handle the role. The above question lets you learn about the required skills along with other qualifications needed for position.
This question lets you know about two things: demand for the job and the strictness of candidate assessment. If the job has been open over a month, there is a high probability of people not being interested in the job. Alternatively, it could also mean that the candidates are failing to make through the interviews due to strict interview conditions. Then again, you might get to know that the job has been open for only a week. In that case, you do not get any idea about the competition for the job or the interviewer’s meticulousness.
Sometimes companies have a change in management which might also result in the creation of some new roles and designations. Or, there might be a change in ideas and priorities which creates new job titles. Then again, an open position could be a consequence of a change in the workforce (like promotion, retirement, or firing [in extreme cases]). You are not looking for a right or wrong answer to this question. It only lets you understand the circumstances which led to the availability of the job.
There are preliminary conditions set for a specific job; meeting them makes a candidate eligible for the position after which the interview process follows. Asking the recruiter about the cause of non-selection of other candidates might reveal potential shortcomings you need to careful of. It could be related to a skill, experience or any other aspect. Being aware of the things gives you forewarning – providing time to work out the inadequacies to perform better in the interview.
A job comes with associated duties, tasks that you need to do and are ultimately responsible for. Knowing the challenges and opportunities that you will encounter in the position gives you time to prepare yourself mentally. It won’t feel like a bad surprise when you face the issue later down the road. It will also help you evaluate your career progression, letting you know if the job matches your intentions and ambitions.
People want gradual progress their careers, be it in the form of salary increases, increase in responsibilities or job title. Through this question you get to know the perks of working in the position.
Inquiring about pay gives you a salary number that the company is willing to compensate for the position. Not only do you get to know how much you might get paid, but it also lets you assess the value. Value relating the job responsibilities. This information also allows you to consider and compare other offers (if any).P
When working in any job, you will be a small part of the big system, i.e., the company. All organizations are different, and so are their principles. You should be appropriately informed about the work ethics and culture of the company. Ensure that it matches your preferences before deciding to join them.
The following questions intend to explore those topics.
Every company has their own rules when it comes to conducting interviews and hiring employees. Asking the recruiter provides insight into the process. Whether there is a preliminary written test, whether there is a phone interview before the actual meeting and more. Knowing these small details allows you to prepare accordingly to perform better.
The training, in this context, could be related to the period before being assigned any work, or during the working period to improve your skills and help in career development. Some companies actively engage their employees in training programs while others don’t. This information will be vital to shaping your career growth plan.
Companies don’t just hire people and forget about them. They tend to keep track of their work and performance. Your performance matches closely to their expectations. If not, you risk getting demoted (or in worse cases, fired from the job). There are usually parameters that help employers evaluate their employees’ performance. Inquiring about them in advance will let you know the factors you’ll be judged.
Every company has a system based on work ethics and culture which varies from one organization to the other. Google does away with formal wear while the company in question might be mandating that you dress formally. Formal wear is just one aspect. Knowing the principles that the company relies on and how it relates to your future work will help you make an informed decision.
The hiring manager is usually the one you will be reporting to before joining the company. It might be that the recruiter and the hiring manager are close acquaintances. Alternatively, that might not be the case. This question is to assess the relationship between the recruiter and the hiring manager while also letting you know more about the manager. This additional information (like their technical background, history with the company) will help you communicate with them during the interview process.
Asking this question will sum up the recruiter’s impression of the company. They might provide useful insight that could help you make a decision.