An applicant needs to have a job interview not just so they would have something to freak out over. Not just to tell someone how desperate motivated they are. But to also collect information on their possible employer to figure out whether they are a good fit.
However, according to a recent survey from JDP, a majority of candidates (93%) experience anxiety because of a job interview. We worry that we won’t be able to answer a difficult question, that we won’t come off as intended, or simply that we’ll look nervous. It’s universal. But that means we might forget what a great opportunity this is to learn more about the position (and company) we’re applying to.
So HR specialist Tani is trying to remind us. Recently, she posted a TikTok video listing the gutsy questions she thinks job applicants should ask their interviewers.
Image credits: taniracqurwrld
Tani is a solution-driven HR executive with almost three decades of experience. “My knowledge and expertise in working with high-performance companies over the past 24 years have shown me the inside operations of how executives think about HR and employees,” she told Bored Panda. “My desire to become an HR advocate to people who may not know how HR operates ‘for’ them is my reason for the video content I create.”
The number one solution that she shares with people about interview anxiety is the fact that the company needs them more than they need a job.
“The company paid money for an ad and will continue to spend, only on the hiring process. The next advice I give them is to practice interviewing by role-playing with someone. Finally, confidence is key; be confident in your skillset. Breathe and continue to remember, ‘you’re doing a fine job.”
Tani wanted to add that most employees would be empowered if they understood HR’s position from a professional angle. Continue to follow her for more content on that.
Image credits: taniracqurwrld
According to Dr. Tamar Chansky, the author of Freeing Yourself from Anxiety, “When we perceive that we are in a high stakes situation, the brain doesn’t distinguish the high stakes of a job interview–where it would help to be calm, cool, and collected–from the high stakes of being under threat from attack (say, from a tiger).”
“The body responds the same way–gearing up to run or fight for our lives. We experience a myriad of highly inconvenient and uncomfortable reactions which would make complete sense if there really were a tiger there,” Dr. Chansky told Forbes.
So what can we do to ease the stress? Ashley Strausser, associate director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at Otterbein University, thinks a successful interview begins with good preparation. “My biggest piece of advice to students is always do your research,” Strausser said. Read up on the organization. Know their products, what they do, and who their competitors are. “You should also research the folks who will be interviewing you. View their LinkedIn profile and learn about their roles within the company.”
It’s not just about acing every question. Knowledge is power; the more you know, the more confident you’ll feel during the interview.
Here’s Tani’s video
@taniracqurwrld#hrtips #hradvice #hradvocate #hroftiktok #interviewtips #getthatjob #fyp♬ original sound – TaniRacqURwrld
Kim Heitzenrater, director of career and leadership development at Sewanee: The University of the South, agrees. “The best way to stay calm is to be very prepared in every way possible,” she said.
“Research the company and the industry, write down the questions you have for the interviewer, practice answers to anticipated questions aloud–either by yourself or with a friend or family member who will give you honest feedback, and write down the three to five things you want the interviewer to know about you before the interview ends so you can tailor your answers appropriately.”
Employers want to know that you’re a good fit for not only the position but also the entire organization. Homework helps you see the big picture.
And here’s some more HR-related content she has shared
@taniracqurwrldTips from the HR dept #fyp #hr #jobinterviewtips #getthatjob #hoodnames #yeswejudgingyou #careeradvice #viral♬ original sound – TaniRacqURwrld
@taniracqurwrld#fyp #hradvice #jobinterviewtips♬ original sound – TaniRacqURwrld
Some people think these questions are perfect
But others doubt their usefulness
I was going to say something hundredweight, but yours works too.
Load More Replies...Masters degree in International HR Management. 20 years in the profession. Currently at Director level. I think I’m qualified to say that this is complete and utter crap!!!! Try any of these and you’ll never be hired. 1 & 2 I might overlook, but ask 3, 4 or especially 5 and your application is in the shredder.
I asked 2 once. They looked at me like I had 8 heads and were like "why would you ask that?"
Load More Replies...One question I always ask when interviewing for a job is: What is your employee turnover rate? If it is low, they will happily gush over why their employees are so happy to work for them and will be glad you asked. If its high, gtfo.
#1 implies you are not familiar with the type of work you are looking to be hired for, which is unprofessional. #2, you should not be drawing the discussion to anything negative about you, focus on your positives. #3, is invasive and would demonstrate that you are not familiar with personnel privacy regulations. #4 is awkward and may feel invasive to the interviewer. #5 is often already covered on the website or job description, which would indicate you didn't do your homework, and it can put the interviewer on the defensive, which you do not want.
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to subtly threaten a prospective employer, next week on “how to never get a job” telling a sad personal story and crying to gain sympathy
Agree with the first batch of reactions "These are great questions". You'll remain unemployed, but you'll be remembered by HR as having asked great questions.
These seem like really bad questions to ask someone. I would think that Q1 might make you look fearful that the job is too much of a challenge, Q2 draws attention to your negatives, Q3 makes you look insecure, Q4 opens up the possibility of talking about personnel tragedy "I'm depressed or my mum passed away" and Q5 will defiantly put some people on the defensive, your interviewer maybe a right wing culture warrior that hates any mention of inclusivity. Is this meant as a dare or actual advice?
Ew, no, these are awful. They're a little crawly and number 4 is downright weird.
Job I was selected for, I asked, " Where are the best parking locations when I arrive on my first day ?"
This is terrible advice, you are asking them to basically rate you against someone else's personal resume, BULLSHIT!
3. That is confidential information and you don't have a right to know.
questions to ask if you don't want a job offer. Number 4 is far too personal and likely to make the interviewer feel uncomfortable which is exactly what you don't want your first impressions to do
Red flag number one... Asking about diversity and inclusion. Meaning how have you enacted hiring practices based on nonrelevant criteria to appeal to people's emotions?
I asked the interviewer something similar during a job interview "What's your opinion on my background and skills, after this discussion?". The lady was speechless for a few moments and obviously she was not expecting it :))) P.S. I successfully passed all the interview steps, when they briefly announced me they had changed their mind, and that it would be an internal promotion for that position. This was so unprofessional and disrespectful. Then, after approx. 5 months, they called me back to tell me they eventually decided to offer me the job. I turned them down.
I’m sorry, but there is no one size fits all concept when it comes to HR. I’ve spoken to hundreds of them and they were all different. Some of them maybe will like the questions, but I guarantee you most of them won’t. The process is a lot more complicated than this. And frankly, these questions make you come off as cocky. Cocky is not a good way to be during an interview.
Um, NOPE. Maybe #5, but the rest should be obvious as part of the research you do when applying for the job itself! 🤦🏽♀️
I don't really care about "diversity" or "inclusion" on any job. Just do it the better way possible. No matter how you look/are/like.
I was going to say something hundredweight, but yours works too.
Load More Replies...Masters degree in International HR Management. 20 years in the profession. Currently at Director level. I think I’m qualified to say that this is complete and utter crap!!!! Try any of these and you’ll never be hired. 1 & 2 I might overlook, but ask 3, 4 or especially 5 and your application is in the shredder.
I asked 2 once. They looked at me like I had 8 heads and were like "why would you ask that?"
Load More Replies...One question I always ask when interviewing for a job is: What is your employee turnover rate? If it is low, they will happily gush over why their employees are so happy to work for them and will be glad you asked. If its high, gtfo.
#1 implies you are not familiar with the type of work you are looking to be hired for, which is unprofessional. #2, you should not be drawing the discussion to anything negative about you, focus on your positives. #3, is invasive and would demonstrate that you are not familiar with personnel privacy regulations. #4 is awkward and may feel invasive to the interviewer. #5 is often already covered on the website or job description, which would indicate you didn't do your homework, and it can put the interviewer on the defensive, which you do not want.
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to subtly threaten a prospective employer, next week on “how to never get a job” telling a sad personal story and crying to gain sympathy
Agree with the first batch of reactions "These are great questions". You'll remain unemployed, but you'll be remembered by HR as having asked great questions.
These seem like really bad questions to ask someone. I would think that Q1 might make you look fearful that the job is too much of a challenge, Q2 draws attention to your negatives, Q3 makes you look insecure, Q4 opens up the possibility of talking about personnel tragedy "I'm depressed or my mum passed away" and Q5 will defiantly put some people on the defensive, your interviewer maybe a right wing culture warrior that hates any mention of inclusivity. Is this meant as a dare or actual advice?
Ew, no, these are awful. They're a little crawly and number 4 is downright weird.
Job I was selected for, I asked, " Where are the best parking locations when I arrive on my first day ?"
This is terrible advice, you are asking them to basically rate you against someone else's personal resume, BULLSHIT!
3. That is confidential information and you don't have a right to know.
questions to ask if you don't want a job offer. Number 4 is far too personal and likely to make the interviewer feel uncomfortable which is exactly what you don't want your first impressions to do
Red flag number one... Asking about diversity and inclusion. Meaning how have you enacted hiring practices based on nonrelevant criteria to appeal to people's emotions?
I asked the interviewer something similar during a job interview "What's your opinion on my background and skills, after this discussion?". The lady was speechless for a few moments and obviously she was not expecting it :))) P.S. I successfully passed all the interview steps, when they briefly announced me they had changed their mind, and that it would be an internal promotion for that position. This was so unprofessional and disrespectful. Then, after approx. 5 months, they called me back to tell me they eventually decided to offer me the job. I turned them down.
I’m sorry, but there is no one size fits all concept when it comes to HR. I’ve spoken to hundreds of them and they were all different. Some of them maybe will like the questions, but I guarantee you most of them won’t. The process is a lot more complicated than this. And frankly, these questions make you come off as cocky. Cocky is not a good way to be during an interview.
Um, NOPE. Maybe #5, but the rest should be obvious as part of the research you do when applying for the job itself! 🤦🏽♀️
I don't really care about "diversity" or "inclusion" on any job. Just do it the better way possible. No matter how you look/are/like.
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