Are You Preparing for a Job Interview? What Questions Are You Planning to Ask?
Bob Tiede has served on the staff of Cru for 55 years and currently serves on its U.S. Leadership Development Team. He is the creator of LeadingWithQuestions.com, where his blog—now in its 14th year—is read by leaders in more than 200 countries. Bob is the author of eight widely read books, including Great Leaders ASK Questions, Now That’s a Great Question!, and Success Unlocked. All eight books are available as free downloads at LeadingWithQuestions.com/books.
Whenever someone tells me they’re preparing for a job interview, I always ask, “What questions are you planning to ask?”
More often than not, I’m met with a puzzled look and a response like, “I’m the one being interviewed. They’ll be asking the questions. My job is to give great answers.”
That’s when I follow up with another question—admittedly, a bit of a leading one: “Did you know that candidates who ask thoughtful, insightful questions are often perceived as more qualified than those who simply provide great answers?”
My friend, Mark Goulston, in his book, “Just Listen” shared this story:
My daughter, preparing to interview with a senior manager at a Wall Street financial firm, asked me, “What question could I ask that would help me stand out from the crowd?” An hour and a half later, she beeped me in the middle of a meeting and excitedly said, “Dad, I asked him the question you suggested, and he reacted exactly like you said he would. He glanced up toward the ceiling for a moment and said, ‘That’s a great question and something I don’t have an answer to but should.’ He really connected with me after that.”
Here’s what my daughter said to earn this interviewer’s interest. When he asked her if she had a question, she responded with this:
“I’d like you to imagine it’s a year from now, and you and your bosses are reviewing the people you’ve hired this year—and when it comes to this position, they say, ‘Get us ten more like that one. That person was one of the best hires we’ve had in a long time.’ Can you tell me what that person did for her and you to get such a rave review?”
Whenever someone tells me they’re preparing for a job interview, I always ask, “What questions are you planning to ask?”
I knew the question would work. I also told my daughter how she’d know it worked: by watching the interviewer’s eyes. Because at the moment he glanced up and away, she’d know she’d moved him from transaction to transformation.
Would you like ten more questions you might ask in your next job interview?
- What does success look like in this role during the first 6–12 months?
Reveals expectations, priorities, and how performance will be measured. - What are the biggest challenges facing the person who takes this position?
Helps you understand the reality of the role beyond the job description. - Can you describe the team I would be working with?
Gives insight into team dynamics, culture, and collaboration. - How would you describe the organization’s culture?
Helps determine whether you’ll thrive in the environment. - What are the characteristics of your highest-performing employees?
Reveals what the company truly values. - How does the company support professional development and growth?
Shows whether the organization invests in its people. - What are the organization’s top priorities over the next year?
Demonstrates strategic thinking and helps you understand the bigger picture. - Why is this position open?
Provides insight into turnover, growth, promotions, or organizational changes. - What do you enjoy most about working here?
Often produces candid responses that reveal the company’s strengths. - What are the next steps in the interview process?
Shows initiative and helps you understand the timeline.
Special Request: When you interviewed for the position you currently hold, or when you were recently interviewed, what question did you ask that caused your interviewer to break eye contact and look at the ceiling?
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