Golden Questions to Ask the Interviewer

A good read from Alli Hoff Kosik

1.What is the promotion cycle like? Some companies make decisions about promotions and raises based on employee performance, while others are more focused on seniority. Learn what you can about how willing your boss would be to reward your good work even if you’re a youngster within the organization.

2. What is the growth path for this position? Find out whether there is a clear path for you to move up within the company after your starting position. If the trajectory seems hazy or unclear, chances are that it is. Asking a hiring manager or potential new boss about specific next steps will keep you on a straight path to advancement.

3. How closely will I work with my manager? Make sure your boss will be accessible to you once you’re on the job. Managers are key decision-makers when it comes to promotions and raises, so the more face time you have, the more opportunities will open to you.

4. Will my responsibilities change over time? “More responsibility means promotions or raises in the future,” Lamwatthananon says. If you’re getting the sense that you won’t be given the chance to try new and increasingly challenging tasks as you get more comfortable within the company, ultimately, you’ll probably find that there will be barriers to ongoing success and development.

5. How is the company expected to grow? It’s important to learn whatever you can about how much the organization is projected to grow in both size and spending power. Is the company on the way up or down? Are they taking on new hires? “No one will say their company is doing worse, but they may hesitate or struggle to answer,” Lamwatthananon says. “If there is a sense that they aren’t growing, the chances of the next promotion may be good, but another raise might be harder to come by.”

6. What is the turnover rate? The idea that a high rate of turnover signals low employee satisfaction may seem like a no-brainer, but this is a question that few people think to ask in an interview and a data point that you may not think to research. Avoid being part of the future turnover rate by being proactive about this information!