15 Clever Questions To Ask During A Job Interview To Make The Tables Turn, As Shared By Folks On Twitter
Sweaty palms, bouncing legs, but very confident speech, it’s not a mystery — we all know how dreadful the whole process of getting hired is. We overstep ourselves every single time, and for some reason, the process doesn’t get easier. However, we seem to have found a golden middle, which helps us “platter” ourselves to our potential employers.
On the other side, how can a possible employer be confident in regards to who they are about to hire? The entire procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, and it’s likely that no matter what you say, the recruiter will go with their gut feeling. The hiring is done based on assumptions from both perspectives and sometimes includes absurd things like mood and physical appearance. So, how can we be absolutely sure that we’re not wasting our time?
However, what if we take the initiative into our own hands and ask things that are really important to us as employees without having to worry about making a wrong impression on our future colleagues?
More info: Twitter
The post sparked a fiery debate concerning the unsatisfactory delivery of some job interviews
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A Twitter user that goes by the name @hodayum started an online debate. She shared her thoughts on how it’s almost always compulsory for employers to ask for references and that she might start doing the same by asking the company to talk to satisfied employees.
Getting a job is a 50/50 position for both employers and employees. We offer our skills, while they’re offering us an ethical company with a good working environment. So why are we so afraid to clap back and ask questions that are truly important to us? This post was flooded with replies, where people started sharing their opinions regarding this important matter.
Image credits: olowyn
According to the article from this recruiter, references are, in fact, a pure waste of time. It doesn’t define future employees as nobody keeps the contacts of a person who is willing to give a not-so-good review about them to a hiring manager. Instead of asking for a sugarcoated lengthy phone call with a given reference, why not actually conduct a well-structured interview in the first place?
There are plenty of ways to determine whether the employee is suitable for the company, for example, an organized list of questions with various tasks that can show the full potential of the future employee.
@Olowyn, however, doesn’t agree with the fact that references are a little bit overrated.
But it seems that this ancient way of employers verifying whether the candidate is genuinely good enough for the role doesn’t actually work.
People began suggesting questions that would improve the quality of the conversation
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But since most of us can’t control the hiring process, why shouldn’t we follow the advice of these users?
Why not ask away everything that actually bugs us and use questions that are truly important to us without having to worry about looking arrogant?
The position is likely to be full-time, so why would someone want to risk having to repeat the plot of “Groundhog Day” where you relive the same day over and over again, but at a job that turned out to be unfortunate for you?
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There is almost no way for any employee to predict what kind of company they’re applying for, as most of the time, job interviews are highly unstructured. This means that you will only know what you’re in for after working at a company for a specific amount of time.
Although, if most of us could be as fearless as @TralalaNotToday, the existence of messy companies would decrease significantly.
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Asking strong questions, even if they seem like they would be uncomfortable for the employer, is a totally reasonable approach to the situation.
It shows that you as an employee did your research and are strict about securing your future with the company that you believe is right for you.
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Just think about it — the person who is responsible for hiring new folks only wants to know about what kind of people they are professionally and outside of that.
However, the new employee needs to know much more information, for example, the morality of the company, future coworkers, etc.
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The good news is when you’re asking uncommon questions like @Gittelsgirl, a simple “what does the staff do for lunch?” might save you from full-time suffering.
Image credits: imadali
After all, asking unusual questions will almost certainly get you an honest answer. The hiring manager probably expects you to ask the same old standard interview questions, but if you decide to take a different turn — you will most likely know what kind of company you’re looking at.
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It’s essential to remember that we’re human beings and not robots. Aside from being the best professionals in our own spheres, it’s extremely important to not let anyone put themselves above us. Our world has been working hard to build an equal society for everyone to co-exist in, so why should we feel intimidated to do things that will leave a positive footprint on our future?
Other fantastic suggestions that will make you confident in choosing the right company
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The original Twitter post received over 80K retweets, almost 495K likes and, as you can tell, a juicy online discussion.
If there are any other interesting and uncanny job interview questions that you have on your mind, leave them in the comment section!
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"What do you see yourself doing in five years?" "Celebrating the five-year anniversary of you asking me that question."
I've been doing interviews for various tech jobs lately, and we always make sure the interview is a two way street. From employers perspective, hiring too is a costly affair and you want to make sure the the person fits the job and culture. If you don't ask us questions, I'd be concerned about your lack of interest: you're going to be spending quite some time working, so make sure the the job is a match. If you're being interviewed, ask about what matters to you. It might be culture, way of working, growth opportunities or whatever. The interview should never be a one way street.
Agree. I've done several interviews as a part of a team and we are always happy when they ask us questions. Most of the time, we're trying to sell the position to them even before that happens, but we absolutely encourage it, even if we've already determined they might not be a good fit today...but they might be a good fit later on (we're SW Dev and DevOps) - if they remember us, they might improve their skills and try again down the road (no, we're not Amazon).
Load More Replies...
Terribly curious... if you see a company has over 90 bad reviews on glassdoor out of 125 - why are you even wasting your time and going there in the first place?
Because the economy's crap and you have no options.
Load More Replies...
I had an interview today. I was asked, "Are you married?" I said, "My husband has passed". The interviewer apologized and then asked, "Well, do you have children?!" "My only child died." (Sadly that's the truth.) It was an uncomfortable interview. Yes, in the USA.
Those questions aren't at all relevant for a position right? Strange thing to ask in relation to a position, unless they were making small talk or something
Load More Replies...
90% of the questions I see here, at least the way they're asked can make you absolutely certain they won't call you back. I thought I'd tell you.
I interview a lot and I'm never annoyed if people have questions, in fact I have concerns when candidates don't have a question or two ready. You know you're like,y to be asked this so be prepared.
Benefits and medical insurance might also be up there for me, along with paid leave. I(18M) take medicine for epilepsy every 12 hours, and even though I only have MRIs (for childhood brain cancer) once every 3 months, there’s always the odd chance they’ll be on the most inconvenient days. This has happened in my past. I once had an MRI on a day when a bird keeper was visiting my middle school, and there was an assignment associated with it. That was not easy to sort out.
It is really great if you happen to know anyone who works there. The last few people we have hired have been people I knew and the called and asked what the work environment was like. It is hard to say because I love my job, my office, and my peers but not everyone feels that way and the work itself is incredibly hard and draining. I read through thick cancer protocols and federal regulations, I get a million and one emails and phone calls, I have to be back-up for all my staff, I have to read though 60 pages of dense language for every meeting and make corrections. The work in hard, my brain is constantly fried, but the environment is wonderful if you are able to keep up and think critically. Everyone gets burnt out but I think everyone gets along so well they keep putting in a ton of effort for their co-workers sake while also getting recognition (including income increases) when we preform well. I have said a million times I wish I could leave but they keep promoting and praising me
I've been an interviewer for many companies. Trust me. None of those questions are smart. They just make you look entitled and uninformed. Don't try to be a smart a**e, be sincere, bring solutions, not problems.
Guys... since I am got several Recruiters asking me to apply for a Job offer over LinkedIn in the last few weeks I used this thread to summarize the best advices like "Get in touch with the team members of the company over LinkedIn" and it worked out really good. I asked three employees if they would be fine with talking to me to share insides about the company and now I know more about them than the recruiter like to. haha... Anyway people just like to talk and if you ask the right questions informations just flow out of them.. it´s hilarious. Just do it!
During an interview, I required Sundays off. I was given the job. After 2 years of perfect attendance and being an above average member of the team, I was assigned to work on a Sunday. I immediately reminded management that "No Sundays" was a condition we agreed on and that if necessary, I would look for new employment. I was never assigned to work a Sunday again during the rest of my time there.
I remember when going for job interviews that as long as you weren't a serial killer/rapist you got the job. Now it has become so ridiculous, overly complicated it's a miracle anyone has a job.
Answer the question you wanted to be asked. Interviewer asks, "What's your highest level of education?" "I am not a CPA but I have over 10 years of experience as an accountant, working directly with the CFO and manager of my own team. How are your departments structured here? Do you have direct reports or team leaders or managers?" (Do you see what I did there?)
This tactic doesn’t actually work if they are trying to find whether you meet minimum requirements. Most HRs are pretty strict about that
Load More Replies...
How much sick leave? Holidays? When I want them or when your stand me down temporarily? Benefits?? Is overtime expected??
When asked "Can you multitask" that usually means "Can you do the job of three or four people and be okay with making the salary of one person?" To that I would say NO!
I can, and for that aptitude I expect to be multi-paid.
Load More Replies...
I think the general idea of this great and some of the questions are goo, too. I think you have to be incredibly careful with some of the more probing questions, though. If you don't NEED the job or there's very high demand for your skills then go ahead, otherwise don't too far. It's easier to quit a job for a better one than it is to spend weeks or months looking when you might have been offered one.
Actually companies love these kind of requests, just ask do not be fouled to think that corps are evil corps, because you buy/work/vote for these corps, these corsp are you You give feedback to these corps and they build themselves aroud your feedback If the corp is evil, you are evil I do not think corps are good but i think they are what people choose them to be...
Can you seriously not handle being asked questions like "What do you like most about your job?"? Would it really hurt your ego? Are you of the opinion that employees have to put up with any bullshit their employers impose on them without daring to think: "Yo, maybe there are companies that are better than others."?
Load More Replies... "What do you see yourself doing in five years?" "Celebrating the five-year anniversary of you asking me that question."
I've been doing interviews for various tech jobs lately, and we always make sure the interview is a two way street. From employers perspective, hiring too is a costly affair and you want to make sure the the person fits the job and culture. If you don't ask us questions, I'd be concerned about your lack of interest: you're going to be spending quite some time working, so make sure the the job is a match. If you're being interviewed, ask about what matters to you. It might be culture, way of working, growth opportunities or whatever. The interview should never be a one way street.
Agree. I've done several interviews as a part of a team and we are always happy when they ask us questions. Most of the time, we're trying to sell the position to them even before that happens, but we absolutely encourage it, even if we've already determined they might not be a good fit today...but they might be a good fit later on (we're SW Dev and DevOps) - if they remember us, they might improve their skills and try again down the road (no, we're not Amazon).
Load More Replies... Terribly curious... if you see a company has over 90 bad reviews on glassdoor out of 125 - why are you even wasting your time and going there in the first place?
Because the economy's crap and you have no options.
Load More Replies... I had an interview today. I was asked, "Are you married?" I said, "My husband has passed". The interviewer apologized and then asked, "Well, do you have children?!" "My only child died." (Sadly that's the truth.) It was an uncomfortable interview. Yes, in the USA.
Those questions aren't at all relevant for a position right? Strange thing to ask in relation to a position, unless they were making small talk or something
Load More Replies... 90% of the questions I see here, at least the way they're asked can make you absolutely certain they won't call you back. I thought I'd tell you.
I interview a lot and I'm never annoyed if people have questions, in fact I have concerns when candidates don't have a question or two ready. You know you're like,y to be asked this so be prepared.
Benefits and medical insurance might also be up there for me, along with paid leave. I(18M) take medicine for epilepsy every 12 hours, and even though I only have MRIs (for childhood brain cancer) once every 3 months, there’s always the odd chance they’ll be on the most inconvenient days. This has happened in my past. I once had an MRI on a day when a bird keeper was visiting my middle school, and there was an assignment associated with it. That was not easy to sort out.
It is really great if you happen to know anyone who works there. The last few people we have hired have been people I knew and the called and asked what the work environment was like. It is hard to say because I love my job, my office, and my peers but not everyone feels that way and the work itself is incredibly hard and draining. I read through thick cancer protocols and federal regulations, I get a million and one emails and phone calls, I have to be back-up for all my staff, I have to read though 60 pages of dense language for every meeting and make corrections. The work in hard, my brain is constantly fried, but the environment is wonderful if you are able to keep up and think critically. Everyone gets burnt out but I think everyone gets along so well they keep putting in a ton of effort for their co-workers sake while also getting recognition (including income increases) when we preform well. I have said a million times I wish I could leave but they keep promoting and praising me
I've been an interviewer for many companies. Trust me. None of those questions are smart. They just make you look entitled and uninformed. Don't try to be a smart a**e, be sincere, bring solutions, not problems.
Guys... since I am got several Recruiters asking me to apply for a Job offer over LinkedIn in the last few weeks I used this thread to summarize the best advices like "Get in touch with the team members of the company over LinkedIn" and it worked out really good. I asked three employees if they would be fine with talking to me to share insides about the company and now I know more about them than the recruiter like to. haha... Anyway people just like to talk and if you ask the right questions informations just flow out of them.. it´s hilarious. Just do it!
During an interview, I required Sundays off. I was given the job. After 2 years of perfect attendance and being an above average member of the team, I was assigned to work on a Sunday. I immediately reminded management that "No Sundays" was a condition we agreed on and that if necessary, I would look for new employment. I was never assigned to work a Sunday again during the rest of my time there.
I remember when going for job interviews that as long as you weren't a serial killer/rapist you got the job. Now it has become so ridiculous, overly complicated it's a miracle anyone has a job.
Answer the question you wanted to be asked. Interviewer asks, "What's your highest level of education?" "I am not a CPA but I have over 10 years of experience as an accountant, working directly with the CFO and manager of my own team. How are your departments structured here? Do you have direct reports or team leaders or managers?" (Do you see what I did there?)
This tactic doesn’t actually work if they are trying to find whether you meet minimum requirements. Most HRs are pretty strict about that
Load More Replies... How much sick leave? Holidays? When I want them or when your stand me down temporarily? Benefits?? Is overtime expected??
When asked "Can you multitask" that usually means "Can you do the job of three or four people and be okay with making the salary of one person?" To that I would say NO!
I can, and for that aptitude I expect to be multi-paid.
Load More Replies... I think the general idea of this great and some of the questions are goo, too. I think you have to be incredibly careful with some of the more probing questions, though. If you don't NEED the job or there's very high demand for your skills then go ahead, otherwise don't too far. It's easier to quit a job for a better one than it is to spend weeks or months looking when you might have been offered one.
Actually companies love these kind of requests, just ask do not be fouled to think that corps are evil corps, because you buy/work/vote for these corps, these corsp are you You give feedback to these corps and they build themselves aroud your feedback If the corp is evil, you are evil I do not think corps are good but i think they are what people choose them to be...
Can you seriously not handle being asked questions like "What do you like most about your job?"? Would it really hurt your ego? Are you of the opinion that employees have to put up with any bullshit their employers impose on them without daring to think: "Yo, maybe there are companies that are better than others."?
Load More Replies...
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