Interviewing the Interviewer
Dawn Rasmussen, CMP
When you get the call, elation sets in: “Yeah! I got an interview!” Then reality hits, and it’s time to hunker down and make sure you are totally prepared. But what many people fail to prepare for is an interview of their prospective employers, and there are a lot of questions to consider.
Is the company financially healthy? The common wisdom in the world of hiring is “last hired, first fired,” so an organization that is struggling financially should trigger a red flag. What is the company culture? There are plenty of good bosses out there, but there are bad ones, too. How does the company value its employees? Look for indicators that staff members are respected and encouraged to grow professionally.
Being prepared for an interview means investigating companies thoroughly, so you can respond nimbly to the questions. However, it is also important to think about what you will ask employers about the mindset, culture and operations of their organizations while also demonstrating your superiority as a candidate.
Following, find questions you can use to win points while gaining valuable information about the company and your potential employer.
- What is the culture like at (COMPANY NAME)? This question lets interviewers know that you are curious about compatibility between yourself and the company.
- 2) What types of professional development does your organization offer? Basically, you’re asking the employer: Do you care about your employees and help them do a better job by giving them the tools they need to be successful?
- 3) If I started today, what would be the top three things to know in order to be successful? I love this question, because it shows how sharp and keyed in you are on the prospective employer’s priorities. It shows initiative, hunger for the job and intense interest in being successful.
- 4) What is your management style? Sure, this might make the interviewer a little uncomfortable, but it’s entirely appropriate. Watch the reactions of the others in the room, if there is a panel. Side looks can reveal volumes of information.
- 5) Based on what you’ve observed today, do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job? After the interview is over, you have pretty much closed the door on any human resource or hiring manager providing specific feedback on your performance.
Employers are looking for go-getters; asking these questions is how you can really shine.
DAWN RASMUSSEN, CMP, is the president of Portland, Ore.-based Pathfinder Writing and Careers, which specializes in hospitality/meeting professional resumés. She has been a meeting planner for more than 15 years and an MPI member since 2001.