Page 110 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

QUESTIONS FOR HIRING MANAGERS

? Memorably Good Question

#7
What can I bring Company XYZ to round out the team?

The question suggests the reality that the team is missing
some key resource. It asks the interviewer to consider how the
candidate’s skill set may be just what the team is missing.
Beau Harris
Recruiter
Handspring, Inc.
Mountain View, CA

8-16
What challenges might I encounter if I take on this position?
Listen carefully. The hiring manager is telling you where you are ex-
pected to fail. Is this a challenge you can take on and at which you can
reasonably hope to succeed? If Superman couldn’t hack it, watch out!
You’re being set up for failure.

8-17
What are your major concerns that need to be immediately addressed
in this job?
Note the emphasis on the word “your.” This is less about the organiza-
tion’s agenda than the hiring manager’s concerns. They may or may not
be different. It won’t serve you well to meet the organization’s goals but
not your manager’s.
8-18
What are the attributes of the job that you’d like to see improved?
This is another way of asking the hiring manager for the conditions of
success.
8-19
What is your company’s policy on attending seminars, workshops, and
other training opportunities?
You want to be seen as interested in learning and gaining new skill sets.
You want your organization to support those goals.

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