Have you ever started a new job that was supposed to be great only to discover that while the work was fine, the place was just awful? Perhaps the budget for marketing was nil. Maybe the boss gave no direction...or too much direction! Did they move from downtown to uptown within a couple months?
Wouldn't it have been nice to know some of these things before you accepted the job offer? Here are some questions you can ask, along with the reasons why you want to ask them and how to interpret the answers.
1. What has been the biggest challenge in finding the 'right' candidate for this position?
The answer to this question will help you understand what the company is really looking for in a candidate. It might surface information on the qualifications, experiences, and education the company wants for the position. Once you have their answer you can respond with the ways you align with those needs, or you can decide that their goal for the position is really out of line with your strengths and bow out from the running before wasting anyone's time.
2. What are the company's biggest challenges right now?
The interviewer may be able to tell you about key problems expanding into a new market. Or perhaps they are working hard to keep up with client demands. Or perhaps there is a lot of change in the industry and they are finding that adjusting to new regulations is taking a lot of effort. Based on what they say you can offer ways that your experience will help the company tackle those challenges. Do some industry and company research, then think of as many ways as possible that the company might answer this question and strategize your response.
3. Why is the position available?
If you hear that they have had 3 people in this position in the last 2 years and no one is "working out" that could be a clear sign of a few things - and none of them good! Either the company is not hiring the right kind of people for the job, they do not have solid processes in place to support new employees, they are not realistic about what the job entails, or they are not clear on their needs and find themselves with under/differently-qualified professionals in the job. Consider the answer to this question carefully. Just as some of the aforementioned problems might be present, there could also be excellent reasons the position is open also. If the last person was promoted or moved on after 3 - 5 years that could mean solid growth potential for you.
4. What are the deliverables and their deadlines?
This is important. Is the company clear about what they want from you? Can they articulate expectations for your job? You can also ask what is expected in the first 30-60-90 days to see how much thought they have given to the immediate needs for the position. Ask yourself if the expectations sound realistic. You might ask follow up questions about the resources made available to get things done. This could reveal how much training they provide or how they allocate financial resources in the company.
5. How have other managers succeeded in this position? Failed?
The answer to this can be a huge indicator of what it takes to be successful in the position - specifically the skills it takes that do not fall under functional areas. You might find out that the people in the position were not tenacious enough in their jobs. Maybe the person before you was so successful that the company holds a torch for that person and no one that follows will ever be looked at in the same light. You might also ask "What advice would you give someone like me just coming into this position?" to elicit deeper information.
6. How would you describe the company's management style?
By asking this question you should be able to find out if the company makes decisions quickly or if there are a lot of processes in place to "control" things. No matter what the answer, consider what it might mean for your work and working style. Do the styles mesh? Do you like 100% autonomy or would you rather have someone to bounce ideas off of? Will there be a constant butting of heads if you are someone that likes to move quickly on initiatives and the company has 10 layers of decision-makers that an idea has to be vetted through first?
7. What do you like about this organization?
Ideally, the answer to this question brings up a whole host of positive feedback about the company that aligns with your values and priorities. If it doesn't, you will have to weigh the information against what you really want in your 40+ hour per week home!
In addition to the words the interviewer uses to answer your questions, pay attention to the non-verbal cues you get. Do they seem squeamish answering the question about "challenges the company is facing?" Does that raise red flags for you? Are they prepared to talk about the company, in addition to the position, or do they seem surprised?
The overall theme here is that work isn't just about the job itself. Work involves personalities, processes, and a myriad of other influencers that sway our opinions of our job. Knowing as much as possible before you accept a position will help you prepare for the new environment.
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