Job interviews should be a 2-way conversation…
Therefore you should always arrive prepared with questions for your interviewer. So you’re in an interview for a job you really want and it appears to be going well, in fact, really well! You’ve ticked all of the following…
- Eye contact ✔
- Listening ears on ✔
- Focused (code for rehearsed) answers with no waffle ✔
- Drawing on real-life experience as examples ✔
- The building of rapport with interviews ✔
- Cultural fit to the company ✔
But then it comes to them coming to the end of their own interview questions and asking you “so, do you have any questions”
Now, this could go one of several ways….
There could be an awkward void of silence whilst you rack your brains trying to think of something to say which they haven’t already covered or, if you’re smart, there are reams of questions you could poise which will only boost their perception of you – irrespective of the job you’re interviewing for.
If you haven’t prepared questions, you run the risk of the interviewer assuming you’re not really interested. Asking questions is a clear but subtle way of demonstrating your genuine interest in a job opportunity but please make sure these are smart questions. Alongside these general questions to ask the hiring manager of any interview there are more specific questions you should be asking that are tailored to a digital marketing specialist job’s niche focus. We’ve shared more targeted questions you should ask interviewers at:
- SEO job interviews
- Paid Media job interviews
- Marketing Analytics job interviews
- Social Media job interviews
What To Avoid
There is nothing is worse than the interviewer asking: “Do you have any questions you’d like to ask me?” and there either being a tumbleweed moment or you piping up with “so, what’s the holiday entitlement?” or “how much sick leave will I get?”
These just don’t make the right impression and you’ll get to those questions when they’ve decided to offer you the job.
For now, concentrate on showing them how right you are for the role, how ambitious you are, how much getting this job will mean to you and of course, how much potential you bring with you so they absolutely know you are not only right for this job but that you want it too!
Show them how interested you are in the long term of the business, ask them about the history and ambitions of the company or even of the team, ask them about the key components of the job, the team, the product. Show them what else you bring with you by asking appropriate questions.
You should always make sure you apply the questions to the specific company and job by doing your research into the interviewers, the company, the product or service, the competition – make sure you don’t just give the website a cursory read through, dig deep make sure you understand it.
Show the interviewer you’re well prepared for interview giving them the indication of your approach to work – being ill-prepared might potentially mean ‘do not pass go’ at the interview stage.
Whereas a well-prepared round of questions from your side might clinch the deal and gain you an invitation to join the company.
Ideas For Smart Job Interview Questions
At your first interview don’t ask about the salary (unless they ask about yours), if you’re working with a recruitment consultant like those at clockworkTalent, be assured these discussions are going on in the background. Your Recruiter is paid based on your salary but they are also aware of the budgets of companies and also what your competition is like.
The financial negotiation will include you but most likely not in the first round of interviews so steer clear of asking questions on salary or benefits at the 1st round.
Don’t fall into the trap of asking the wrong questions at an interview! To help with this, here are our top 10 questions you could ask in an interview:
1- Who do you perceive the company competitors to be and why – have they always been there and what does this company do differently?
2- Could you describe to me the culture of the company as you see it?
3- What do you like best about working for this company?
4- What would the average day /first few weeks look like for me?
5- What internal/external training and personal development could I anticipate?
6- What tools/resources will I have access to?
7- What do you think are the most important qualities for the “right” someone to demonstrate in this role?
8- What was it that brought you from (insert name of interviewer’s former employer found when you did your due diligence) and how have you found working here? If they’ve been here a long time, ask what has kept them here.
Some questions are really good to end the interview on, which give a clear indication that you want the job. Save these until last and use them as your closers.
9- How do I compare to other candidates you’ve interviewed for this role?
10- What are the next steps in the process?
If you’re aiming for career progression within the digital marketing / eCommerce industry and focusing on your job search – why not get in touch. Register your interest and we will discretely discuss your ambitions and experience and look to consider you for appropriate jobs with our employers (brands or agencies). We will support you in critiquing your CV, priming you for your meetings with interview techniques and what to expect.
