When that next job interview comes to an end, that’s when asking follow-up interview questions is the best next step for you.
There are unknowns you may have at this point, especially if you’re interviewing with an HR or department manager who isn’t forthcoming about certain details.
For example:
- What would the day-to-day look like in this job opening?
- What measure of success will the company use to determine your performance?
- Who will you be reporting to?
When you think about follow-up interview questions, your mind likely goes to certain questions like, “When’s a good time to follow-up with you?” or “Should I call or email you?”
These are great questions which you should ask.
However, the more important questions to ask are those that will help you ferret down to what the company wants and expects from that next new hire.
This is why questions like, “Where will I focus most of my energy in this job?” are so important.
You might be wondering why to ask such a silly question when you have a job description that outlines the job tasks.
However, you’ll be amazed at how often a job description doesn’t prepare you for what you’ll actually be doing.
Do you remember Ronald Reagan saying, “Trust, but verify.”
This is true with job interviews with potential employers and the job descriptions they write.
Job descriptions are often written by an HR Manager or Specialist who doesn’t know exactly WHAT the position description should be.
The disconnect between job role and job description becomes more skewed when research, technical, and engineering jobs are involved.
How will you determine my success in this role?
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When you enter a job interview, it’s important to understand that you’re interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you.
Again, follow-up interview questions like the above might feel out of sorts for you. However, you must have a full picture of what you’ll be entering into BEFORE you accept that job offer.
Just as the company will ask that dreaded “tell me about yourself” interview question, turn that around that make the company tell you about them too.
[Related Article: Lists of Interview Questions Broken Down for 40+ Career Fields]
The reason you’re asking questions like these is to help identify any weaknesses or stress points (AKA red flags) within the company.
Questions like these are what are called open-ended because they require longer explanations to answer.
Remember, it’s not just about getting the job. It’s about getting the right job.
Be sure to look into mock interview coaching to prepare you for that next job interview. You can’t afford to mess up on questions like the above, and behavioral and situational job interview questions too. Job interview coaching can help with an array of different situations, from phone and conferencing interviewing to face-to-face panel interviews.
A successful interviewing takes more than just luck. It takes preparation.
There’s a lot of interview advice online these days.
Yet, some of the best advice I’ve run across actually came from a marketing certification I took a few years back.
They taught me the importance of “know, like, trust” in business.
This bit of advice comes in handy when acing job interviews too.
Let’s be honest. The most qualified person doesn’t always get the job.
The one who gets the job is likely the one that became known and liked the most, which gave the hiring company some sense of trust.
Have you ever met someone that you just clicked with?
You could talk and talk with what felt like little effort.
This is the same scenario when it comes to job interviews.
You’re not trying to impress the company as a whole.
You’re simply trying to impress and connect with the person sitting across the phone line, video screen, desk, or conference table.
That sounds easy enough, right?
Well, I know what you’re thinking.
Job interviewing can be difficult because how do you get someone to LIKE you when they’ve just met you.
There are many ways to help persuade hiring managers to hire you.
Start by being genuinely interested in the person interviewing you and the hiring company.
Then, be a person of your word. If you tell the hiring person you’ll follow-up with them Friday afternoon, do just that.
Be “down to earth.”
Some of the highest-performing sales professionals will tell you they don’t sell for a living.
They are allies, being relatable and friendly, to the client.
They discuss and assist clients in achieving their goals. The sale is merely a byproduct of that relationship.
If you want to learn more about getting people to work (hire) you, check out this article on Early To Rise.
Okay, now that we’ve covered the most important follow-up questions to ask, now let’s talk about those less important.
Questions like these should also be on your list:
- When’s an appropriate day for me to follow-up with you?
- For the follow-up, do you prefer I use email or phone?
- What can I expect as the next step? A second interview?
Getting answers to basic questions like these will ensure you follow the hiring manager’s preferred etiquette and avoid being an annoyance.
After all, you want to build rapport and impress, which is done in part by following their likes and dislikes, not yours.
Before I close this article, here are a few more important follow-up questions you could ask:
- How do I fair against other candidates?
- What has been your experience working with this company?
- How would you describe the company’s culture?
- Is there room for advancement should I accept this position?
- What changes is the company expecting in the next 5 years?
- Why did the previous person in this position resign?
- Can you give me feedback on how I interviewed?
[Related Article: Interview Questions for 40+ Career Fields]