17 Questions to Ask a Potential Employer

17 Questions to Ask a Potential Employer17 Questions to Ask a Potential EmployerPreparing for an interview properly can be one of the fruchtwein critical steps in landing your ideal job. You may be braced and ready to be grilled by your possible bosses, but the other side of the coin is just as important- you should ask questions, too. You want to know bedrngnis only if youre a good fit for them, but whether theyre a good fit for you.Come armed with your own insightful questions. Were offering lots of options here, so choose the questions that best fit your circumstances.Questions to Ask a Potential EmployerWhat are the companys core values?Open the discussion with this company-specific question and learn how your contributions will further the organizations mission.What are the companys short- and long-term goals for growth?Pose this question to show that youre forward-thinking and looking to join a company that has potential for growth.What responsibilities of this role align with the company goals?The more information you can get about the role itself, the better understanding youll have about your potential role in the company.What types of work flexibility are available to employees?If working in a flexible role is a priority, the job interview is a great time to explore the companys attitudes and opportunities for work-from-home arrangements or other flexible options.What is a typical day like in this position, and what are some of the most challenging aspects of the position?Get a feel for what your day-to-day routine will look like, and more importantly, any specific challenges youll face on a daily basis. The answer to these questions will be telling and give you a strong indication whether this role is right for you.What is the annual salary and what other benefits are offered with this position?If this information hasnt been made clear in the job description or during the course of the interview, get this information now. It may feel awkward to ask s uch a straightforward question, but the answer will help you know whether this job offers what youre looking for.How are reviews administered?Its important to know whether youre reviewed quarterly, annually, or if reviews are not part of the equation. Reviews can be critical to advancement and pay increases, so its important to know how theyre handled and how often to expect them. If youll be working in a remote role, find out if the supervisor will be conducting performance reviews remotely.What soft skills are necessary for this role?Soft skills are the personal attributes that allow someone interact effectively. So, be koranvers to ask about what soft skills- such as great communication and the ability to work with distributed team members- are necessary to be successful in the role.Who will I report to and what is their management style?Its important to find out who your immediate supervisor will be, how long theyve been with the company, and what their managerial philosophy is. What ongoing training opportunities are offered?Find out if youll receive on-the-job training before you begin and what ongoing training will be available to help you grow.How much technical support is provided to accomplish the assigned work?Explain your technological proficiency, but ask whether any tech assistance is available if you need it.What are the opportunities for career advancement?Anyone wishing to move up the career ladder will want to ask about advancement potential.Have previous people in this position advanced within the company, and what is the average term that an employee stays with the company?Find out if your predecessors have moved up within the organization and how long it took for them to do so. Also, ask about the average amount of time an employee stays with the company. It will speak volumes if employees stay 10 to 20 years versus two to five.Whats the hiring timeline?How soon will the organization make a hiring decision? This information might help you g auge when to check back to see if youre still in the running.What other information can I provide that would be useful to you?What other information can you provide to help the employer make a decision in your favor? Be as helpful as you can at every stage.Whats the best approach for me to follow up- whos the contact and whats the best way to reach them?Youll definitely want to follow-up after the interview. Get the right name and contact information before the interview ends.Are there other aspects of working for the company that we havent covered?Toss the ball back in the interviewers court to give them a chance to address any areas that havent been discussed.Wish you could talk through your job search and career questions with someone?SIGN UP FOR CAREER COACHINGChristine Bernier Lienkecontributed to this post.This is a version of a post that was