By Alice Muigai
Today, as face-to-face interview are increasingly being replaced by those across digital platforms such as Skype, job searchers need to reassess how they might approach the interview itself. There are many reasons for this change, including the potential to work remotely and the fact that many people now relocate for the very best positions. As with any interview, you will need to be prepared for a huge range of different questions on everything from your previous professional experience to your personal life and career goals. When it comes to a Skype interview, however, you should also prepare your own questions to be sure you can cover everything in a short period of time without the luxury of being there in person.
What many people overlook when preparing for a job interview is those questions they should ask the interviewer or recruiter. They are particularly important during a Skype interview, if not more so, demonstrating your interest, motivation, and initiative, while also addressing questions that may not have been posed in this short-form approach. So, to help you prepare for your next big Skype interview, here we take a look at five questions you should ask your interviewer. Remember, you can frame these questions in any way and tailor them to your specific needs.
Question 1: What challenges is the company currently facing?
In order to show your potential employer how you can make the company more successful, it is important to ask about the kind of challenges the company faces, and how it is gearing up to deal with them in the future. Once you have ascertained this kind of information, you can begin to ask how you, personally, can help the company overcome these challenges as you reassert your you most suitable skills and experience.
Question 2: Can you provide some information about my potential team?
Naturally, the most successful companies thrive on team collaboration, so asking about where you will fit into the existing structure not only shows your interviewer that you have a deeper understanding of company dynamics, but it will also give you some valuable insight into your potential coworkers. This question will also allow your interviewer to see that you care about the people who you work with, helping the company to build productive teams that can help push it to the next level.
Question 3: Can you tell me about your company culture?
Company culture is inescapable—even in companies that claim not to have one. Ascertaining a company’s core values and ethos is crucial to your understanding of how the company works on a day-to-day basis. It will also give the interviewer the opportunity to express their personal experience of how the company treats its employees. This is highly valuable information that will help you form a more holistic view of the company. Pay particular attention to the willingness of the interviewer to share this information. If they seem reluctant, this may be an instant red flag.
Question 4: What kind of opportunities for growth exist?
Professional growth, and the opportunity to climb the ladder, is extremely important for any career, and if you find yourself in a static position you may very quickly realize your development has stalled. Ask about promotions, training opportunities and education, also ascertain whether or not there is a firm ceiling on how high you can climb within the company. Naturally, much will depend on the type of position to which you are applying, however, the very best companies always offer some opportunities for growth to willing employees.
Question 5: What’s the next step in the recruitment process?
The final question you should put to your interviewer is a very pragmatic one, and by asking about the next steps in the recruitment process you once again underline your interest in the position. Ask about when you can expect to hear back from the company, and about whether there are any face-to-face interviews for which you will need to travel, as well as if there will be any tasks the interviewer wishes you to complete at home. Additionally, ask the interviewer if there any parts of your resume you can clarify or whether they want to ask any further questions regarding the interview itself.
By Alice Muigai
