Job Interviews--Part III

You’re sitting at the end of a long table, and there are 10 interviewers around you who have just fired a bunch of questions at you. You did your best because you were prepared for many of their questions. But, there is more coming. You know this because you can see it on their faces, and you lean forward just a bit more, waiting. Then, one of the interviewers speaks up: “Do you have any questions for us?” Ooh. You thought you were home free. Nope. Well, fear not future employee, here are some questions you can ask your interviewers. But first, a recap.

If you read Job Interviews: What to Wear Guys and Job Interviews—Part II: Getting Prepared, then you know that you’re already in a suit and you have researched some of the questions that might be asked. As a reminder, here are the ones I mention in no particular order:

1. Tell us a little about your teaching philosophy

2. Tell us about yourself

3. What would you say are your biggest strengths?

4. What would you identify as your biggest weaknesses?

5. How long have you been teaching?

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

7. Why did you choose our school or company over another?

8. Have you ever been in a situation where a student or colleague argued with you over something?

9. Why did you leave your last job?

10. In your mind, how have you demonstrated that you’re qualified for this position?

Some of these questions can be fired right back at them. For example, you might ask:

1. How long have you been in this career?

2. Why did you choose this school or company over another?

3. Have you ever been in a situation where a colleague argued with you over something? What did you do? Or What would you do in that situation?

4. Where do you see the school or company in five years?

If you really want to stick them to their seats, you might come up with other questions as well. Some of these might include:

5. How has the school or company changed since you started?

6. When might I expect to hear from you?

7. What is the next step?

8. Is there possibility for advancement within the school or company?

9. What steps do I take if I want to apply for tenure or a promotion?

10. What has been your biggest challenge working for this school or company?

You might think of other questions, and that is fine. The key is to do your research and make sure you write down the questions you want to ask. Imagine their faces when they ask if you have questions and you pull a list out of your inside pocket or purse. As I have said before, the more prepared you are the better. Also, always maintain positivity when asking questions, as nobody likes to feel as though they’re being interrogated.

So, by now, you should be quite ready to interview for a job in your dream career. If you can think of other questions you might ask or might be asked or you can think of other ways to land that job, I encourage you to pass those and these along to friends, co-workers, and family to help them on their next journey in their dream careers. I leave you with something my dad always told me. When it came to tasks, projects, or even interviews, he said, “Son, if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” I pass this along to you and wish you good luck!