To ask or not to ask – that is the question!

 

Grey_Consulting advises Candidates to ask the right Questions in an interview

 

You finally bagged the interview, you have answered all the interviewer’s questions with confidence and finesse and just as you think you’re on the home stretch, you are thrown an unexpected curved ball; “Do you have any questions?” Panic stricken, you not sure what to say and instead of asking relevant questions, you ramble.
 

Managing Executive of Grey_Consulting, South Africa’s leader in accounting, finance, audit and risk assurance recruitment, Carroll-Anne Pollock says, “Lack of preparing well-crafted questions to ask potential employers is one of the most common mistakes made by candidates.” She explains that worse than not preparing questions, is asking questions that are completely inappropriate and warns that it will leave you as a vulnerable and unsuitable candidate in the eyes of the employer.
 

“It is important to remember that employers are looking for someone who can add value to their company and contribute significantly to their organisation” says Pollock. “Asking well-directed and intelligent questions during the interview indicates your interest in the organisation and desire for the position and will show that you have initiative.”
 

She offers the following advice to Candidates and specifies which questions are considered suitable and unsuitable in an interview situation:

 

Questions about the Company

 

Never ask a potential employer what the company does! This is one of the biggest mistakes a candidate can make and it immediately informs the employer that you have neglected to do background research on the organisation.

 

Do research prior to the interview and then portray your knowledge by asking questions that reflect your research, for example, ask questions that relate to a big accomplishment or a historical event that was significant for the organisation. Any question relating to the company’s market and competitors will demonstrate your knowledge of their business and, if a finance person, then comments on their latest financial performance will surely stand you in good stead.

 

Questions about Company Benefits

Asking questions that relate to annual leave, lunch breaks, flexible working hours and health insurance are not suitable for the first interview. These questions indicate that the job itself and the organisation are of a secondary nature to the benefits offered by the company. This may leave the employer feeling that what the company can offer the candidate is of more importance than what the candidate can contribute to the organisation.

 

If you deem it necessary to find out about the company benefits, rather handle this question tactfully by asking if there is a company manual that explains the organisation’s basic conditions of employment so that you can read through it in your own time. This will show the employer that you do not want to waste his/her time by reading the fine print during the interview.

 

Questions about Salary

 

Asking salary-related questions during the first interview is a vital mistake many candidates make. Most employers feel that it is an inappropriate subject at such an early stage of the interview process. It is in your best interest to wait until you are further along in the interview process before bringing up the topic of salary and salary increases.

 

Questions about Overtime

 

Generally, most companies require their employees to work overtime or on a weekend once at some point or another. Asking if you really have to work on weekends or overtime indicates that you are reluctant to put in the extra hours when required. This may give the employer the perception that you are not as committed he/she would require you to be.

 

When Do I Start?

 

This question is risky as it may show you as over-confident and even arrogant. Do not be impatient; the employer will let you know in due course whether or not you have the job. Express your interest in the position and explain how excited you are to be considered as a suitable candidate.

 

Useless Questions

 

Asking trivial questions about where your office will be, what the canteen looks like, how many warnings you get before you are fired, when smoke breaks are and how soon you can move to another position are a big no-no! These questions are not suitable for to ask in an interview - ever! If you get the job, these questions will eventually be answered by colleagues and leaders.

 

In addition, do not ask the interviewer personal questions about his/her home life. These questions are in bad taste. Instead, only ask useful questions that will depict you in a positive light.

 

Good Interview Questions

Pollock provides some good questions to ask the interviewer:

 

	Are there opportunities for career development and training and has the company got a policy for further study assistance?
	What is the company’s culture like?
	Is this a newly created position or an existing position?
	What does the company value most?
	Have I correctly grasped the dynamics of the position and do you have any questions that concern my ability to perform this job?
	What kinds of processes are in place to help me work collaboratively?
	What is the company’s management style?
	What is the structure of the department that the successful candidate will be working in?
	How many staff are working in that department?
	Which governance policy does the company prescribe to?
	Do you work on fiscal months – or are those the same as the calendar year?
	When is financial year end?
	Who are your External Auditors?
	Have you had a clean audit report over the past few years, or what is the status of that?
	What is the company’s management style and expectations of me?
	What are some of the goals of the group and/or projects in the coming year?
	What challenges does the company face? What will be the biggest challenge that I face?
	In these economic times, you as a candidate should find out what the financial situation of the company is. If it is a public company, you could look at the financial reports, but if it is not, you should ask questions about their market share, competitor activity, recent hires, any retrenchments and any mergers or acquisitions recently or in the future.

 

Asking thoughtful and insightful questions is a great way to demonstrate your professionalism. It gives you an opportunity to present your level of knowledge and experience. Asking questions will give the employer a sense of your initiative and leadership ability. That is why it is imperative to do research and be well-prepared for an interview. Pollock concludes, “Employers are more likely to remember candidates who asked sufficiently detailed and suitable questions rather than those who asked useless questions or did not ask any questions at all.”

 

-ends-

 

About Grey_Consulting

 

Having successfully sourced, selected and placed thousands of professional Financial and Risk management Candidates over the past 26 years, Grey_Consulting has earned its reputation as a leader in specialist Accounting, Financial and Risk Assurance recruitment. Technological advancements together with the inception of globalisation in the last two decades has seen their Clients' Staffing needs change and evolve and with them, their specialist Talent Solutions. However two things have never faltered; their commitment to offering superior service to both Clients and Candidates alike and their promise to build relationships based on ethical principles, trust, quality and excellence.

 

Their experience and expertise in Accounting, Financial and Risk Assurance recruitment, across all industry sectors, combined with the ability to attract Top Talent means that Grey_Consulting is able to provide Clients’ with a world class workforce whilst simultaneously placing qualified professionals with world class companies.