I am very excited to say I have a phone interview on Monday with an organization I have wanted to work at for many years.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 7:32PM UTC

   What, specifically, would you like to see accomplished in the first 30 days? Follow up the typical "why is this position open?" with a question related to the answer: If open due to promotion, how long was the predecessor in the role, available for mentoring, etc. if due to termination, what's the learning curve, etc.

2. AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 7:46PM UTC

   Variant of “what would you like to see accomplished?”:

   What can I do to hit a home run/deliver extra value for you and the company in this role?

   Also: ask for the job! Good concluding statement before you leave. Combine it with a statement of your value to the company.

3. AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 10:22PM UTC

   I usually ask what attracted them to the company initially and what made them stay. Not many people ask what makes people stay at a job, and it tends to surprise them when they are asked.

4. AnonymousApril 19,2023 at 2:56PM UTC

   If you are talking to the hiring manager or above, I always ask sone form of this: if I were to ve offered and accepted this position. What are the top 2 things, I will have done in the first year of employment to make you and the team/ dept successful

   If a potential colleague I ask a form of " what are the top 3 things I should learn/know/achieved on my first 3 months " or what are 3 skills that vital in this position that makes the team/company successful

5. AnonymousApril 19,2023 at 2:58PM UTC

   Also if a potential teammate, ask what are the top reasons they accepted their position and why they stay at the company

6. AnonymousApril 19,2023 at 5:49PM UTC

   This most recent round of interviews I went through, I started asking if there was anything about my resume/background that I could clarify or that would give them pause about hiring me. Shocked them every time, and everyone said they loved that question.

   It also gives YOU a chance to expand on anything (like a job gap, etc.)

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 20,2023 at 12:03AM UTC

   FYI - A recent LinkedIn discussion on just this topic.

   https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7052694472320548864/

   The poster polled about 2300 people (hiring managers) in various industries, locations and various levels of management- though all corporate.

   93% indicated it was a low value question for both sides. 18% said they actively disliked it. 4% indicated they are neutral and 2% said they found it valuable.

8. Joycelyn M. SiameApril 20,2023 at 12:56PM UTC

   First and foremost, this is awesome and I wish you all the best!

   Questions I ask are what goals should be completed, reached within the first 90 days of being in the role (milestones)? Ask the interviewer about their job and what is it about the company that they like the most and keeps them there. What a day in the role looks like. How they measure performance and what and is the performance review like. Ask about company culture and values. If they offer learning programs for employees (this shows you're always willing to grow and learn). That's all I can think of for now. I wish you the very best!

9. Heather BinghamApril 20,2023 at 1:21PM UTC

   As an interviewer I have some favourites. They aren't at all groundbreaking, but I really like them. One is "How will I know that I'm doing a good job?". Another is "I've read about your culture on the website; how does it influence the success of the organisation?". My very favourite is "You've worked with the company for a long time; what keeps you there?". They aren't complicated, they don't show a big level of knowledge, but they show me three things; the candidate wants to do a good job; the candidate has done some due diligence; and the candidate has an eye on longevity and isn't just job-hopping. I wish you every success and hope it goes well.

10. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 2:11PM UTC

    I asked once if the interviewers were happy there. If they had the chance, would they go to work for this company all over again? They seemed to like it, and from what I understand, it got me the job.

11. Kelly LeVoyerApril 20,2023 at 3:54PM UTC

    Ask the hiring manager (your boss, presumably) what their personal goals and priorities are, how they want to make a difference in the org and then offer some ideas for how the position can help. It will show you are coming in with a mindset of supporting him/her, and speaks a bit to their ego — a very real consideration ;)

12. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 4:43PM UTC

    Ask the hiring manager what the most VIP things you expect of this hire are in the first 30-60-90 days. Ask how they will measure success and also what you need to do for them for their success. Be prepared - read everything you can about the company and be honest about where you can learn too and grow. Good luck.

13. Rosa E HearnApril 20,2023 at 9:07PM UTC

    Ask for the job!

14. IntentionGirl299847April 20,2023 at 9:50PM UTC

    What does their ideal candidate look like? or

    What 3 things do you (the interviewer) love about working here?

15. AnonymousApril 25,2023 at 2:37PM UTC

    Original poster here, the phone interview was fantastic! I will know more in a week if I am called back for an in person. Wish me luck!