Through the Eyes of a Recruiter: Interviewing the Interviewer
A job interview is always a two-way process, so it's important that you prepare informative questions in case the tables turn and the interviewer drops the ultimate trap question that is: "Do you have any questions for me?"
The answer to this question must always be a yes. Employers typically view candidates who don't ask questions as uninterested or uninvested. With this in mind, preparing questions ranging from company culture and organizational goals to opportunities for professional growth will show a hiring manager that you did your homework. It also implies that you are a candidate who applied not just because it's a position you're qualified for but because it’s a job you want. This part of the hiring process is a window of opportunity for you to leave a lasting impression and weigh in on whether the company is a good fit for you.
To help you ace your next job interview, here are three open-ended questions that will make you a candidate who's hard to forget according to the eighth episode of “Job Defined.”
VISION: What is the company's vision?
Asking about the company's vision can provide you a good perspective on the company's culture and values. The answer to this query allows you to understand where the organization is headed and if it's somewhere you'd like to see yourself in the years to come, a crucial factor in deciding whether you'd be a good fit for their culture and vision and vice versa.
REASON: Why is this position available?
Is it new? If not, why did the professional who used to occupy this now vacant seat leave? Having a historical basis of how the job came to be will help you see the true nature of the job--that is if the interviewer answers truthfully. This will help you check if you have the skills, qualities, and competencies that they are looking for to get the job done. In addition to that, you can use this question to highlight some skills that you were not able to tackle earlier in the interview and further discuss what you can bring to the table that will benefit the company.
EXPECTATIONS: What is your definition of success?
Assuming that you are speaking with a middle manager or your prospective employer, asking questions about their expectations can prevent unpleasant surprises down the road. Remember that misunderstandings in the workplace often stem from the gap between employee capability and employer expectations. We all have different abilities and experiences, so having an idea of how they want the job done can provide you an overview of whether you can live up to the company's expectations and if it's still a job that you would like to pursue.
Of course, you can ask some typical questions about what a normal day would look like for the role you're applying for, but it won’t do much if your goal is to fully grasp the nature and the direction of the company. So, take it up a notch and be equipped with the three informative and open-ended questions above that concentrate on the job's responsibilities and the company's goals to really dig deep into how you fit the position.
More Opportunities to Come
Are you looking for more handy job hunting tips? A new class from Nas Academy is coming catered specially for individuals and professionals looking to advance their job hunt regardless of where they are in their professional journey!
Icon Executive Asia and Nas Academy have recently partnered to bring a two-episode online job hunting class entitled "How to Get Hired."
Set on July 15 and 22 at 7:00 p.m., the online class aims to help all kinds of job seekers get hired for the job they deserve to build the career they want for themselves by looking at job hunting through the eyes of the recruiters.
Headlining the two-part course is Icon Executive Asia's managing director, Patt Soyao, and his trusted recruitment executives and Icon's founding iconic team members, Loradel Ang and Jay Avenida.
The registration fee is priced at P1,500, but Nas Academy and Icon Executive Asia are offering early bird registration rates to four interested participants and a 50% discount to 50 students who will use the promo code "PATTSTUDENT" upon signing up.
Slots are limited; secure yours now!
To register, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/HOWTOGETHIRED
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For more career advice and job application tips, check out the full “Job Defined” episode now on Spotify and Apple Podcast, or visit the series’ official Facebook page here. You can also follow Icon Executive Asia on Facebook and LinkedIn for more career insights and job opportunities.
“Job Defined” is hosted by Mr. Patt Soyao, Icon Executive Asia’s managing director, and powered by Podcast Network Asia, Southeast Asia’s first and biggest podcast network agency.
