It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the company website and other online resources to ensure the queries you have are not mundane, or redundant. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of items you could have found the answers for from merely watching a video on their company site!
Here are some sample questions:
- When would you like to have this position filled?
- How long has this role been vacant?
- Is this a replacement search or a newly created role?
- What is your favorite part about working here?
- What is the company's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months?
- Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you?
- What do you see as the most significant change in this industry over the past three years?
- Is there any reason why you would not hire me?
Tough Interview Questions
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1.
What questions do you have for me?
Rachelle's Answer
"I would like to ask if there is anything in my background on which you need clarification? Also, after discussing everything today, is there any particular reason why I would not be the best fit for this executive assistant role?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Thank you for asking! A couple of questions come to mind. What do you see as the biggest challenge your company will be facing in the next 12 months? Also, what is your employee turnover rate, and could you tell me a bit about the retention plan you currently have in place?"
Rachelle's Answer
"A few questions come to mind, so thank you for asking. What's the next market the company is looking to tackle? I know you're launching a bottled beverage soon, so I wonder what is next."
Rachelle's Answer
"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? Also, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, do you have internal candidates who are also interviewing for this position?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I appreciate you opening the floor for questions. I am wondering what your timeline is for a decision on this opening? Also, what was the biggest struggle the last educator encountered in this role?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? Also, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, do you have internal candidates who are also interviewing for this senior radiation therapist position?"
Heather's Answer
"A couple of questions do come to mind. First, how quickly would you like to have this position filled? Second, is there anything from my background that I can further clarify for you?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Yes, I do have a couple of questions. First, could you tell me a little bit about your growth plan for this upcoming school year? Second, what is your timeline for making this hiring decision?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I would like to ask if there is anything in my recruitment background on which you need clarification? Also, after discussing everything today, is there any particular reason why I would not be the best fit for this temporary recruiter role?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I would love to know what your timeline is for filling this position. Also, is this role a replacement, or an opening due to growth?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Why do you like working here?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I do have a couple of questions. First, when would you like to have this position filled? And second, are there any required qualifications that you do not see on my resume?"
Rachelle's Answer
"A few questions come to mind. What's the next educational technique your school is looking to tackle? Also, what is the next step in your interviewing process?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? Also, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I would like to ask if there is anything in my recruitment background on which you need clarification? Also, after discussing everything today, is there any particular reason why I would not be the best fit for this Permanent Recruiter role?"
Heather's Answer
"I have a couple of quick questions, yes. First, is this a replacement search, or a newly created position due to growth? Next, what is your timeframe for making a hiring decision?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I do have a couple of questions. First, what would you like to see me accomplish in my first 30 days as your new lab assistant? Second, is this a replacement or a new opening due to growth?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I would like to know more about your timeline for this hiring decision. Also, could you share with me why this position is open?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? In addition, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, do you have internal candidates who are also interviewing for this position?"
Rachelle's Answer
"A few questions do come to mind. What is the biggest goal for your school this year? And, what is your proudest accomplishment since working with this university?"
Nisha's Answer
"A few come to mind, yes. What is the next major project that you will be tackling? Also, who would I be reporting to in this role?"
Nisha's Answer
"I have been a fan of your company's projects and research for as long as I can remember and I am curious what the vision is for introducing your research to new markets?"
Heather's Answer
"What is the most important thing that I can accomplish in the first 20 days?"
Heather's Answer
"Walk me through a day in your clinic."
Heather's Answer
"Why did you choose to work here?"
Nisha's Answer
"Yes, a few questions come to mind. Why is this position open at this time? Also, what is the career trajectory for this particular role?"
Nisha's Answer
"I would love to learn more about this university, from your perspective. What is the biggest competitive edge you have over your competitors?"
Rachelle's Answer
"A couple of questions come to mind. What type of growth are you expecting to see in the next twelve months? Also, what impact is most important for me to make immediately after starting this role?"
Heather's Answer
"I would tell someone considering this profession that there is so much more to this job than I ever could have imagined. I would say, the only limit to your potential in nursing is what you believe you can or cannot do. Never sell yourself, or your capabilities of bringing value to other's lives, short."
Heather's Answer
"There have been times when drawing blood was difficult. One instance I can recall was when a pediatric patient was brought in for some lab work. Although I feel comfortable performing venipunctures, one of my coworkers had more experience with children. Because the child was already crying and fretful and the mother was worried, I asked my coworker if she could perform the draw, as I knew she would be more likely to have a successful stick on the first attempt. I explained to the mother that, although I can perform venipunctures, my coworker is experienced with pediatric patients and that I wanted to have the person best suited for her child to perform the procedure. She was very thankful."
Rachelle's Answer
"I have a couple of questions - thanks for asking! Could you clarify for me if this is a newly created position or a replacement? Also, what is the first thing you would like to see me accomplish in this role?"
Heather's Answer
"I usually will not attempt a venipuncture more than twice without asking someone to observe/help me. Sometimes one person may be able to feel a vein a little differently and if we can get the procedure done correctly with as little anxiety to the patient as possible, that is what is best."
Heather's Answer
"When should I expect to hear from you, may I contact you in a day or two?"
Rachelle's Answer
"I would love to learn more about this university, from your perspective. What is the biggest competitive edge your school has over it's competitors?"
Rachelle's Answer
"One question that comes to mind is how many anesthesiologists do you have on staff? Also, is this position a replacement or a newly created opening due to growth?"
Rachelle's Answer
"A few questions come to mind. Who would you say your biggest clients are at this time and are there new markets that your firm plans to break into in the next few years?"
Heather's Answer
"I am so happy to have completed my LPN certification; however, I am not done. I recently enrolled in a weekend course through the American Heart Association that will allow me to teach CPR classes at the local middle school on my days off."
Heather's Answer
"I have a couple of questions, thank you for asking! First, I am wondering if you can share with me why this position is open? Second, what timeline do you have in mind for filling this position?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Absolutely! What are you looking for in an ideal candidate? What type of pain points is your organization currently experiencing? What is the last successful project your team implemented?"
Nisha's Answer
"I would love to learn more about this university, from your perspective. What is the biggest competitive edge this school has over it's competitors?"
Nisha's Answer
"I understand that you have recently hired a new Executive Director. In what ways have you felt the impact of new leadership in this department specifically, and what does the organization's strategic vision look like over the next several years?"
Rachelle's Answer
"Being a few miles from a Military Facility I would imagine the caseload would consist of a number of military members, is this the case?"
Heather's Answer
"I think it is important for my patients to understand how to make healthy choices regarding their relationships. If I were to explain the rationale behind not having an intimate relationship with someone else who is suffering from addiction ,I would begin by telling my patient that in the early stages of recovery, the main focus should be on self. This means self-awareness, such as triggers that may cause a desire or a feeling of 'need' to relapse and how to avoid them. In early recovery, patients should be educated on why it is important to avoid establishing any new intimate relationship."
Heather's Answer
"Why do you enjoy working here?"
Nisha's Answer
"From what I understand this is a newly created position, so can you tell me how you identified the need and what types of duties may not be listed in the job description? I would love to further understand a day in the life of an attendance clerk with your school."
Rachelle's Answer
"Absolutely! What are you looking for in an ideal candidate? What type of pain points is your organization currently experiencing? What is the last successful practice your team implemented and how is it going?"
Heather's Answer
"I believe that honesty is important no matter what job title a person holds. I have found that being honest with people creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Those qualities, I feel, are essential when building rapport with patients and co-workers."
Heather's Answer
"Before a procedure begins, I always check the room to ensure the supplies I need for the procedure and any potential emergency situation are ready and available in the room. Also, I make sure that the dosing machines and monitors are calibrated and in working condition. I would rather take the extra time to conduct these quality checks than to run into an issue of not having necessary supplies or a device not working during a procedure, as I know that could potentially lead to a very bad outcome."
Nisha's Answer
"I have been a fan of your organization ever since I performed a case study on your business strategy for a university course. I am curious what the vision is for expanding in the future to new markets, especially considering the growth of e-commerce solutions."
Anonymous Answer "Why is this position open? What are the key challenges you have faced in the last three months? What do you hope will happen in the first three months with this person on board? Are they any achievements or best practices you would like to see sustained?"
Rachelle's AnswerThese are very strong questions - a good job.
Was this answer helpful? Yes or NoThank you, your vote helps us display the best answers.Anonymous Answer "What would my day-to-day routine look like if I got the job? Can you tell me about the team? What are the company's goals for the future?"
Rachelle's AnswerThese are very important questions for sure!
Was this answer helpful? Yes or NoThank you, your vote helps us display the best answers.