Nowadays, landing a job is harder than ever. The competition in the job market is fierce. But, as long as you’re smart by thoroughly preparing for the type of interview, and ask the right questions, the intensity of landing a position will never scare you.
Let’s take a look at how to use your skills and individuality to dominate any job interview you walk into and impress the hiring managers.
Being prepared
Walking into an interview with confidence should never have to be a phony process. Being mentally prepared to verbally express your thoughts is imperative when making an impression on a hiring manager.
If you want to be sure that you’re ready to tackle any common interview questions that’s thrown your way, you must be in complete control of your thoughts and attitude.
Whether you’re trying to land a job as a CEO, or want to make extra cash at a bookstore, your interview should undoubtedly stand out as a memorable, positive experience in the mind of a hiring manager.
Acing the interview
The key to acing an interview is to set yourself apart from any other potential candidate. The secret to an outstanding, lasting impression is nothing more than asking the right questions.
Too many people believe that interview questions are merely meant to be asked by the company itself. But if you don’t ask your own interview questions, you place yourself as an inferior option to the hiring manager.
Inferiority is not the route to take in landing a position, especially in today’s job market.
Since the image of inferiority negates a person’s sense of confidence, what you need to do is place yourself on the same level as the hiring manager. To do this, you need to be smart and ask them questions as well. But, not just any questions. You need to ask the right ones.
The 6 smartest questions
What is the basic career path that is available for this position?
This question tells the hiring manager that you’re genuinely interested in the position at hand. It also implies that you’re dedicated to growing and working your way up in the company. This question indicates that your goals are as long term as theirs.
Nobody wants to hire someone who does only the bare minimum to get by. Companies need to know that you are willing to grow with their success and also dedicate your passion to making sure that that company’s success is an ongoing journey.
What is the importance of this position to the company’s growth?
This question proves that your attention is, in fact, invested in the company’s success, and not just on your own time and paycheck. Any hiring manager will be pleased to hear that it’s important that the position you’re applying for impacts the success of the company as a whole.
In the company’s mind, if you’re passionate in an interview, about making a difference in the company through your personal position, then you will be the candidate that stands out as the enthusiastically, hardworking option.
How does this team handle professional disagreements or obstacles?
There are two reasons why this is an important question. First and foremost, this question gives the impression that you are capable of working as a team.
Believe it or not, a lot of obstacles that come up in the workplace is merely a result of people not being able to work well with others. This in turn makes it impossible for employees to work together as a solid company. Asking this question proves that you are open-minded and willing to work well with those around you.
Secondly, asking this question states that you’re not only aware, but that you’re also prepared to handle disagreements and obstacles accordingly.
This type of curiosity proves that you can handle company predicaments and how to handle issues at work in a professional and mature manner. It proves that you have the ability to listen and compromise.
What are some of the biggest challenges that this position has had?
Wanting to know past challenges that the company has encountered implies that you will do what it takes to prevent these problems from occurring again.
This question shows that you’re already inclined to pay special attention to previous issues that may have been the reason as to why you’re being interviewed in the first place.
Nobody wants a repeat of a former employee, so ask about the problems and challenges that have occurred in the past.
Do you have any concerns that may make you doubt my success at this company?
This may seem like a risky question, but it’s certainly not risky enough that you should avoid asking it. A hiring manager is not afraid to be put on the spot with their concerns.
Since part of their job is to ensure that the company continues to climb the ladder of success, they will be pleased that you’re curious enough to try and overcome whatever concerns they might have, if any at all.
It also proves that you’re strong enough to handle constructive criticism. Being able to handle constructive criticism is a sign of confidence and determination. It also separates you from those who are not as willing to work on their weaknesses; it shows your dedication to self-improvement to better serve the company’s purpose.
When it comes to standing out as the most valuable candidate in the decision making process, the ability to communicate and determination to overcome concerns serves as the most important aspect of a future employee.
What makes you passionate about your job at this company?
This is a smart way to switch it up and ask the hiring manager why they are passionate about their job. After all, they are just as much a human being as you. But don’t worry, this question serves a higher purpose than just simply being nice.
Asking about the feelings and emotions of others shows compassion and empathy and, those are two personality traits that will never fail to make a great first impression. After all, most people just don’t have enough of either to succeed, so why not prove that you have both?
Conclusion
Interviews aren’t easy, but they don’t have to be the cause of a downfall. Your energy in any interview must match the inner confidence you possess. This will show that you are the best candidate for being the leader, the influencer, and the compassionate, hardworking person they’ve been looking for.
Even if the initial interview puts you in the same genre as everyone else, if you’re smart about your approach and have the passion to ask these six questions, it will automatically separate your interview from everyone else’s. Why settle for being good when you can prove that you’re the only qualified candidate for the position!
About the author: Eric Czerwonka is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Buddy Punch, an employee time tracking software company founded in 2013 that provides employee management solutions for any small and large companies alike – anyone with employees from startups right to corporations and anyone with a remote team to manage.
