Scheduling interviews is a thrilling yet intimidating process. When a recruiter asks if you have any questions before leaving, does your mind go blank? Take advantage of the opportunity to ask about a potential workplace before accepting a job offer. You’ll learn more about the role and land in the best career place.
1. What Is Your Company’s Culture?
Company culture dictates the quality of your long-term work life. This question will prompt recruiters to discuss their commitment to diversity, transparency, and employee-focused values. If they don’t match your core values, you can look for employment elsewhere.
2. What Is Your Benefits Package?
Recruiters wait to discuss benefits until the last round of interviews, but it’s always important to ask about them. You should get a list of primary benefits included in their employment, such as:
- Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
- Paid time off (PTO)
- 401(k) plan
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
You may be able to negotiate additional benefits if you’re a competitive applicant. You’ll need comprehensive benefits to remain comfortably employed. So it could be time to step away if they don’t work with your needs.
3. What Is This Department’s Turnover Rate?
Companies of any size have fluctuating turnover rates. So when you’re in the final interview stages, it’s essential to ask about what their current turnover looks like. A high rate could indicate that you should look for employment elsewhere because they aren’t treating their existing team members well.
Research shows that 17% of employees quit their jobs due to a lack of benefits, while others quit due to a poor work-life balance and low pay. On the other hand, great employers retain team members long-term because they prevent these problems.
4. What Is Your Company’s Work-Life Balance?
Everyone deserves a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives. You should have time for beneficial activities like at-home workouts and social activities. Recruiters will likely pitch a positive view of the company no matter the role they’re trying to fill.
So you should also ask for time to consider and research employee reviews for the company online before accepting the job offer.
5. Is There Room for Growth?
Understanding the path for your professional growth will help you stay motivated to chase your career goals, which can fall to the side during significant life changes. If a company can chart achievable promotions for your job path over the next decade, you’ll know there’s plenty of room to explore your career interests.
6. Are There Additional Job Responsibilities?
Every job description includes a specific set of responsibilities. Many employers will add others to your plate after hiring you.
Sometimes more responsibilities can be a good thing. For example, they could make your job more exciting and make you anticipate your future, which is a great sign that you’re on the right path. It also demonstrates that your potential employer is comfortable personalizing your job to help you reach your full potential.
You’ll know if a recruiter is hiring you for a great opportunity if it sounds like you can take on the extra responsibilities without creating a work-life imbalance that causes burnout.
7. How Do You Measure Employee Success?
Figuring out how your potential boss measures employee success is vital to staying happy in your career. An outline means you’ll always have another concrete goal to work toward and plans to get there. It’s crucial to prevent the days from blending together and living on the autopilot setting that made your last job less enjoyable. That way, you’ll also avoid working for years toward the hope of a raise.
8. Can I Meet My Potential Team?
During your final interview, you’ll likely get an office tour. When that happens, ask if you can meet your potential team members. You’ll get to see if they’re welcoming and have a good rapport. If they look miserable or hardly try to talk with you, it’s likely a sign they won’t be pleasant co-workers.
Ready for your upcoming interview? Don’t forget these crucial questions about a potential workplace before accepting a job offer. You’ll get a better look into how the company treats its employees, what your co-workers are like, and whether you have a promising future on their team.
Featured image via Paige Cody on Unsplash
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