Oct 02 2008
Questions You Need to Ask
Frankly, it is not good enough for you to go into a job interview and answer all the questions with quantitative and qualitative flourish. You need to ask questions too. Not just because it will impress the interviewer, but because you need to find out if this job is a good fit for you.
The kinds of things you need to know when you leave the interview will help you make an informed decision when the job offer materializes in the near future. Do you get the sense that the company is financially stable? Ask about prior downsizing or reorganization of the workforce. Do they have a high turnover rate with respect to similar companies? Do they have good procedures and a quality system in place? How important is workplace safety to them as a company?
Do they offer any kinds of profit sharing incentives where the work force has a vested interest in seeing that the company stays profitable? Are they progressive in employee involvement programs, wellness programs, team building activities for the workforce?
How long have they been in business and what pressures are working against the organization’s profitability? Do they have a stated business ethics policy? Are their benefit programs geared toward long term employment with a competitive retirement program?
Many of the specific benefits related questions should be asked once mutual interest has been well established, such as in the second interview phase of the process. But generally speaking, you want to get the sense that the company cares about their people and shows a vested interest on maintaining their employees.
