Job Interview Questions You Should Always Ask.

As your job interview comes to a close, you breathe a small sigh of relief, happy this stressful situation is almost over. Your interviewer then asks whether you have any questions. Resist the urge to say, “No.” Sure, you want to leave, so you can reduce your stress level. But it’s never wise to exit without asking a few questions. 

Your questions could make or break your chances of getting the job. So use this time to your advantage, and ask questions that will make the hiring team take note of you. Here are 15 questions you need to ask at a job interview if you want to make a good impression.

1. What’s the biggest change your group has gone through in the past year?

Ask whether the company feels like things are getting better or worse and how it plans to handle either scenario. Ask how the company is changing, so you can gain a better perspective of its goals and values. The interviewer’s answer will offer insight into what type of employee they’re looking for. Career expert Marc Cenedella said it’s important to show an interest in where the company is headed, and learn how you can help it get there. “By asking these questions, which focus on the needs, traits, and preferences of your future boss and future employer, you’re demonstrating that you are somebody who is genuinely interested in their well-being,” Cenedella said.

2. What new skills can I hope to learn here?

This question shows you are eager to continue learning. It shows you won’t become complacent and stop bringing value to the company because you got too comfortable to care. Employers don’t want to hire someone who eventually becomes a flat-liner, so do your best to ask questions that demonstrate you’ll do what it takes to continue to grow and add value. Honigman Media CEO Brian Honigman said this question says a lot about a candidate. “It signifies a few positive things: The applicant acknowledges they don’t know everything, and it signals both humility and potential. This individual is actively seeking knowledge and using that as a criterion to judge opportunity. They know that skills are important, not just knowledge,” he said. 

3. What are your expectations during the first 30 days, 60 days, and a year?

Don’t be in the dark about what is expected of you. The worst thing you can do is get the job and then totally miss the mark because you didn’t ask the right questions. Learn what the hiring manager is looking to accomplish through your role. “Find out what your employer’s expectations are for the person in this position,” said Pamela Skillings, career expert and founder of Big Interview.

4. What is a typical day like?

Don’t forget to ask about the basics. The answer to this question will help reduce the chance of being taken by surprise. For example, if everyone is expected to attend a weekly staff meeting at 8 a.m. Mondays, it would be helpful to know that information if 9 a.m. is your typical start time. Simpson said if he hadn’t asked his future employer what a typical day would be like he would have been unprepared. “Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description. I was hired for a job once where all the employees were expected to participate in a group physical activity before starting our day. Had I not asked about a typical day I would have been completely unprepared for my first day and unable to participate,” Simpson said. 

5. What is the company culture like?

This question is important because the answer will let you know whether the company is a good fit for you. A poor culture match could make your days at the company unpleasant. Just like a pair of jeans, it’s important to find the right fit. Find out what you’re getting yourself into before accepting an offer. It’s also a good idea to do some of your own research. Career sites, such as Glassdoor, offer insights directly from current and past employees. 

6. Could you tell me about the team I would be working with?

You’ll want to know as much as you can about your potential co-workers. Chances are you’ll work closely together, especially because most companies encourage collaborative work environments. Some of the information you’ll be able to glean from this answer is how long employees tend to stay with the company, advanced certifications or degrees some of your teammates have, and the types of projects you’ll be working on.   

7. How are employees recognized?

This will give you an idea of whether the company goes out of its way to show appreciation for a job well done. It doesn’t feel great to go above and beyond the call of duty only to be ignored or treated as if what you did was no big deal. Find out now whether the company values its workforce. You don’t want to work for a thankless employer who treats its staff poorly. 

8. Who is your ideal candidate?

You might be afraid to ask this question because you think it implies you’re not the ideal candidate, but that’s not true. This is your chance to prove otherwise. You’ll give yourself an advantage because the interviewer might mention some skills and specific experience that weren’t mentioned in the job description. This provides an opportunity for you to mention how your work history has given you the skills and job experience the employer is looking for. 

9. What can you tell me about my predecessor?

This answer will give you information about the circumstances surrounding your predecessor’s departure. If the interviewer is willing to answer the question truthfully, you can find out whether the previous employee was promoted, asked to leave, left voluntarily, or decided to retire. This question will provide you with a wealth of useful information. You can get a better idea of whether you have a chance at getting promoted, whether the workers are happy, and what kind of environment you’ll be working in. 

10. If I get the job, what will be my first major project or goal? 

This will allow you to prepare for whatever might come your way during the first few days or weeks at the job. The answer will also tell you whether this is really the type of job you want to do. If it seems as though the tasks are very different from the job description, it’s possible you’re interviewing for a bait-and-switch position, where the employer lists all the good parts of the job and then leaves the undesirable aspects for after the candidate is hired. Employers sometimes do this when a position is hard to fill. 

Courtesy: Cheat Sheet.

Some Issues You Need To Talk About Before Getting Married.

There are salient issues that need to be discussed by a couple as soon as a marriage proposal is made. These are the ingredients for a solid marital foundation: 

Religion: A serious discussion about religion during courtship will ensure that you two are on the same page and this will eliminate any surprise. For instance, both of you may be Christians but if one is a fanatic while the other is liberal, there will be problem in the near future. If one is a Catholic while the other is a Methodist, you need to choose which one to attend jointly upon marriage. Nothing undermines a marriage as a lack of consensus in what denomination to attend. Even the kids will be confused. Although my wife was an Anglican before marriage, she easily resolved to join me in attending the Baptist denomination upon marriage.  

Credit score and debt: Couples need to share financial information about each other during courtship. Knowing your partner’s salary is one thing, but understanding where his/her money is going is another. In our time, there was nothing like a bad debt issue. As soon as I proposed marriage to my wife, we both resolved to be transparent about our individual incomes. 

In-laws: If you love your future in-laws, great! If you have an issue (even the slightest problem about anyone), voice your concern with your partner. Having an open and honest conversation with your fiancé can provide insight on your future in-laws and help you better understand them and minimize any future complications. 

The kids: It’s very important during courtship for a couple to talk about the number of children they hope to have. It's also essential to discuss how the kids will be raised. During courtship, my wife and I already knew the number of kids we would have. The third child was not "originally" in our plan but we chose to be flexible about such a possibility. We decided that I would name the first child while she would name the second child. When the third child came, we simply put it to vote within the nuclear family. As for discipline, fortunately, we both detested spoilt brats.  

 

Gender roles: You guys may not really have to talk about specific roles before marriage. However, you both have to adapt to doing certain chores as they arise and in regard to each person's job schedules. Also, discuss how often each of you should do certain chores. 

Spending money: During premarital discussions, both of you need to discuss how you'll be spending money. Will you have a joint account? If yes, will you be informing each other before purchasing an item above a certain amount. This is especially important if one of you spends frivolously. 

Handling arguments: Will you argue in front of the kids? At what point will you seek external counseling? It’s a good idea to know who has a hot temper and who is laidback. What are your plans for effective communication and finding a solution to each quarrel as it arises? 

Boundaries: There are instances where a couple and their families or in-laws live close to each other. In such a situation, they need to have a policy in place to avoid interferences. Do the relatives have to call ahead before visiting or can they just pop up? Take it a step further by talking about the possibility of a parent in-law or sibling in-law living with you. In our case, my wife actually volunteered early in our marriage to have my father live with us. It was a very rare thing for a woman to do. And that's one of the reasons why I will forever adore and treasure her in my life.

Career expectations: Are you both alright with each other's career? Does any of you have the potential to relocate your family to a different location due to career needs? Are your future spouse’s career goals in line with your desired family dynamic? What sacrifices are you prepared to make for each other to succeed in your careers? 

Miracles Happen on the Platform of Hard Work.

Remember the paralyzed man in the Biblical Capernaum, how he was carried by four of men? They could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, yet the men refused to give up. They made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Among other things, it was their hard work along with faith that impressed Jesus who then said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

What about the wedding at Cana in Galilee where Jesus turned water into wine? Most times, people don’t refer to the efforts of the servants who had to fill six stone jars to the brim with water, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

And lest we forget the encounter a widow had with Prophet Elisha. The prophet could have performed some “abracadabra” to make the jar become multiplied in numbers. Rather, he directed her to first go get a lot of empty vessels (which she borrowed from neighbors). It was only then the poor woman was able to fill all the vessels with oil.  

Out there are too many folks who are practically folding their arms while waiting for some miracles to happen in their careers, marriages, relationships, business ventures and life generally. They call it faith. But ask them what they are doing to bring about the manifestation of their faiths and they glare at you as if you are of little faith. They see great things happening in the lives of others and automatically attribute them to some mere luck. If only they can move closer to behold the other persons’ many painstaking efforts.