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Recruiting Strategies #4: Interviewing the Interviewer; A Guide to the Hiring Process

Job seekers often go into interviews prepared to answer all kinds of questions. The most common question interviewers ask is “Tell me about yourself” or “What has you looking for a new job?”. An interview can then take several twists and turns as the interviewer gets to know you a bit and figure out if you are a good fit for the role. But what about you? When do you get to figure out if they are a good fit for you; and how do you do that? Most importantly, why should you interview them as well?

Before you go into any interview, be sure to do your homework. Look at the company website and find their “About Us”  tab if they have one. Read reviews on the company, read their core values, and look at their social media page. Do your homework and be prepared.

At the end of an interview, you’ll almost always be asked “do you have any questions for me/us?” Your answer should always be yes. While they spend time getting to know you, you need to do the same. Here are some questions you should ask and why they are important. There are the basics—if you don’t already know—like hours, travel requirement, day-to-day routine, etc. Hopefully you learned all these from the job posting or initial interview but if not, if they make an impact on you, make sure you know the answers.

Other great questions to ask are:

  • Why is this position available? This answer will tell you a lot about the culture, turnover, and room for growth within the company. It will be very telling and give an insight into your tenure with the company and in the position.
  • How do you measure success in this role? This will give you an idea of how you will be reviewed and really what it is expected of you. Is success measurable? If so, what are your KPI’s or Key Performance Indicators? This question alone can open a conversation where you learn more about the job and expectations.
  • What are the next steps in the interviewing process? This lets them know you are interested and engaged in what will happen next; but really it gives insight into how they operate and how quickly their process moves.

Finally, there are things not to ask in an interview. Though it may seem obvious, some people have asked these, and they might have cost them the job. Don’t ask “So did I nail the interview?” or “How often will I get a raise or a bonus” and please don’t ask “When does PTO start and when can I begin using it?”

Once you get home and reflect on the interview be sure to send a thank you email within 24 hours to all who interviewed you. It is the little personal touch that will set you apart from other candidates and let the hiring managers know you are serious about this opportunity and are looking forward to starting the job.

Recruiting Strategies #4: Interviewing the Interviewer; A Guide to the Hiring Process

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Dana Hubchen

Co-founder/Co-owner

Skilled Recruitment for Skilled Trades

We get to know your business, culture and needs. Work With Your Handz can help your team free up their time by providing interviews with only the most qualified candidates.

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