Interviews are Two-Way Streets
Thinking begins when you ask really difficult questions - Slavoj Žižek
You’ll read and hear it everywhere: an interview is a chance for the candidate to assess the employer.
Still, it is not a principle everyone applies. Instead, there’s a tendency to please. What if the hard questions turn off the interviewers? The only way I can land this job is if I ask softball questions.
You owe it to yourself to find out if this role will satisfy your goals. Reject wishy-washy answers. Hope is not a plan. There’s no handwaving about the future of your career.
If something isn’t clear - ask. You will only set yourself up for disappointment by assuming things will work out.
Here are some tough questions to consider:
What are the growth prospects? Please provide examples of what success looks like here. What does success lead to? What is the path from IC to a leadership role?
How is retention? What are the main reasons people choose to leave? What’s the relationship like with former employees?
How are decisions made? Who resolves disputes? What is the approach to delegating authority and empowering junior colleagues? What are some examples?
What is the approach to compensation? Who decides whether someone earns a raise and/or a bonus? What is their criteria? How has this process evolved over the past year?
It is a terrible feeling to leave an important question unasked. Even worse is showing up to the office on day one and having the answer staring you in the face. This avoidable. Take control and follow your instincts.