Interviews are a 2-way-street
Years of sitting across the table from job candidates at Google taught me a lot about the interview process. When this topic comes up with my coaching clients, I share what I think is the single most crucial aspect of a great interview. Spoiler alert: it doesn't involve asking about compensation even before you've walked through the door!
An interview is your opportunity to ask questions that can't be answered by a quick internet search. Unfortunately, I've found that most interviewees, whether they're male or female, don't approach the process with curiosity. They worry that if they ask the "wrong" questions, they'll look foolish or unprepared or ignorant. Instead, they try to prove themselves worthy of the job – even if they don't know that they want it yet! This behavior amplifies interview stress for women, as they often won't even apply for a position if they don't have 110% of the advertised qualifications. But that’s a topic for a whole separate post!
Let Your Values Guide the Way
Do you want to spend the next 3-10 years (or more) working for a company that doesn't align with your values and isn't interested in supporting your growth? Probably not. For many of us, financial stability is no longer the essential factor in deciding whether or not to take a job. Yes, we all want security, but we also desire a sense of belonging, purpose, and opportunities for expansion. Ester Perel refers to these markers as "Relational Diversity."
According to Perel, companies are desperate to know how they can cultivate a sense of belonging at a time when it’s rare for workers to put down roots with one organization. You can assist your potential employer in understanding what's most likely to make you stay, by asking questions like:
How do team members relate to each other and communicate?
What are the company's diversity statistics and values?
What is the usual career trajectory of women, people of color, LGBTQ+?
How long is the average employee tenure, and what are some reasons that people leave?
How are decisions made and communicated within teams?
Stress The Personal In Your Next Interview
Yes, your interviewer wants to see that you've done your homework on their corporate structure and culture, but they also want to know why you are interested in working for them. One of my clients went into an interview recently and asked direct questions about how the work culture was set up to support women so that she could understand if the company aligned with her values around family.
Maybe you want to know if the organization provides opportunities for continued education, what their policies are on working from home or how many women are currently in leadership roles. Be honest about what's most important to you and ask questions that will get you the answers you need to make an informed decision should you receive an offer. You might surprise the interviewer and make it easier to negotiate from a place of authenticity.
One disclaimer: some questions are totally appropriate during the first round, and others should come later. Be strategic. Before you go into your first meeting, make a list of the questions you might ask in a second or third. For example, asking about compensation and advancement options before you’ve even checked the chemistry is a no-go in my opinion.
Believe In Your Skills and Experience
I know it's hard to remember this, but you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Too often, candidates go into this process with a sense that the interviewer has the "upper hand," which can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety. Any interview is going to be a little stressful, but it doesn't have to be traumatic. Remind yourself before you walk into the room that if you didn't have at least some of the job qualifications, you wouldn't be there.
And once you start talking, don't be afraid to articulate your needs and goals. That's the only way that you and your interviewer will get a big picture idea of what a career with their organization might look like for you over the long term.
If you've got an interview coming up and you're not sure what questions to ask, I can help. Book a Call today, and let's talk about what's most important to you in your next career move.
First published Feb 18, 2020
