Published: March 2007
JobsPress.com
Question time
When preparing for an interview, the first thing on your mind may be the questions you are going to be asked. But given the opportunity to ask some questions of your own, what would you say?
This month our focus is useful questions an interviewee might ask an interviewer - and why they're good questions to ask. Our contributors are women and men working in different fields, who are willing to share what they've learned along the way.
- What is the organization's approach to work/life balance?
Finding the right organization to work for is just as important as finding the right job. Asking this question gives you a good understanding about what the company's culture is with respect to how they work. I think more and more people are demanding greater balance in their lives. In most jobs you'll have to put in some overtime, but you probably want to avoid those jobs where it's the culture of the organization to regularly work 12-hour days and weekends.
Geoff Wilson
Senior Strategy Advisor
Corporate Communications
Capital Health
- What do you feel will be the biggest challenge I will be faced with if I am successful in obtaining this position?
I believe this question helps to identify what type of opportunities (challenges) you will face. This could be anything from rebuilding a team, customer service issues, etc. I feel it lets the potential employer know that you are a proactive person and would prefer to know what the situation is up front.
Glenda Hunter
Travel Centre Manager
CAA (Maritimes)
- What is the employee turnover and what is the average time an employee has stayed with the company?
This question will assist in determining: job satisfaction of previous employees, how employees get along, management's involvement with staff, stability of the workforce and your job stability. The response will help you decide which prospective job may be more desirable than another opportunity, and, as an added bonus, the interviewer will know you can be and want to be a team player.
Kurt Bulger
Manager
Jennifer's of Nova Scotia
- What would a typical day entail?
One of the biggest challenges in an interview situation is to gain an understanding of the climate of the job and the culture of the business that you are coming into, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the skill sets required from day-to-day or for any business cycles that are experienced.
Suzanne Bona
President
Scotian Homes and Enfield Home Hardware Building Centre
- What does my total compensation package entail?
Total compensation or total rewards is crucial for a potential employee to understand. The components of total compensation are the following: benefits, experience and compensation. The compensation component is linked to the skills and competencies you bring to the job. This will determine your initial base pay. Your salary will increase the longer you are employed with the organization, but if you have the opportunities for upward and/or lateral movement within the company, this too will change your compensation.
Cynthia Dorrington
VP, Client Relations
Vale & Associates Human Resource
Management and Consulting Inc.
- What type of training do you provide?
It's a good question because from an interviewer's point of view you know that person's interested in pursuing a career and gaining the necessary knowledge and criteria to move forward with that particular company.
Ted Hyland
General Manager/General Sales Manager
Newcap Radio - Halifax
- Where does this position fit in the overall organizational structure? Whom does this position report to and/or Who reports to this position?
Interviews should be a two-way process. It is not only important for employers to assess the candidate's skill, abilities and fit, it is equally important for the candidate to assess the position. The answer to this question may provide some insight as to the opportunity for growth within the organization; the organizational culture, e.g. many levels of management could indicate a formal, bureaucratic environment; and the value the organization places on this particular role.
Sonya Horsburgh
Manager, Co-operative Education
Mount Saint Vincent University
- Is job safety training provided? What are the safety hazards I should be aware of?
Everyone deserves a safe workplace. Many workers are injured every year during their first few weeks on the job. It's never too early to ask what you need to know in order to go home safe and sound at the end of the day.
Among other things, you have the right to know about any hazards in your job, and you can expect training in how to do the work safely. Ask about the company's safety policy, about their overall philosophy to workplace safety, and about how they help workers who are injured return to the job in a safe and timely manner.
Shelley Rowan
Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Human Resources
WCB Nova Scotia
Questions asked - and answers given - provide insights into an organization and its culture, and tell the interviewer something about the interviewee as well. Next month we'll continue our look at interviews, this time with tips for making a good first impression.
Marie Weeren is president of 10th Floor Solutions, a Halifax business specializing in public relations writing and editing.
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