Still Good Advice

Interviews. You gotta love 'em, no matter which side of the desk you find yourself sitting at.

I ask every new employee at A1 Best Staffing: "Be candid with me. I want to place you in a job that is a good fit for both of us. I won't judge you and I won't put you in a job that you aren't qualified for. Will you really talk to me? What you tell me today, right here, will help us both in the long run."

And they do, tell me. Followed by the plaintive cry temp recruiters hear so often - "I'm here because I can't find a job. Why don't I ever get called back after the first interview? But they seemed so interested, what did I do wrong?" My standard answer -  "Maybe you didn't do ANYTHING wrong. Maybe it's more what you  didn't do."

I place temp, temp to perm, and direct hires through A1 Best Staffing. Most of our temps don't interview with the client, we are trusted to provide the best candidates and we do. However, our direct hires, unlike temps, always interview first. We are sometimes asked to be a client's HR Agency - to screen and skill test, then send a few hand picked candidates for interviews.

So, of course I want to make sure our candidates ace the interview. To be chosen for the job, they have to stand out and step forward. My advice to them for that important interview? This article continues to sum up what our clients expect from top candidates, even now in 2013.  

4 Essential Questions To Ask At The End Of A Job Interview
By Amy Fontinelle | Investopedia – Tue, Sep 25, 2012 11:14 AM EDT

"I am always surprised how some interviewees tend to trail off towards the end of an interview instead of finishing strong and leaving a lasting impression," says Zachary Rose, CEO and founder of Green Education Services, a green jobs training firm in New York City. Whether you're a senior preparing for campus recruiting or a recent graduate still hunting for a job, here are the top questions experts recommend asking at the end of a job interview to leave a great final impression on hiring managers and establish yourself as a top candidate.

"Is There Any Reason Why You Wouldn't Hire Me?" 
Kelsey Meyer, senior vice president of Digital Talent Agents in Columbia, Mo., says, "A recent candidate asked, 'If you were to not offer the job to me, what would be the reason?' This was extremely straightforward and a little blunt, but it allowed me to communicate any hesitations I had about the candidate before he left the interview, and he could address them right there."
"This one question is something I would suggest every single candidate ask," adds Meyer. It lets you know where you stand and if you need to clarify anything for the interviewer. "If you have the guts to ask it, I don't think you'll regret it," she says.
Rachel Dotson, content manager for ZipRecruiter.com, says, "All too often you hear about candidates leaving an interview and thinking they aced it, only to get a swift rejection email soon after. Take the time while you're face-to-face to ask about and dispel any doubts that the hiring manager has." Make sure a key asset of yours hasn't been overlooked.

"As an Employee, How Could I Exceed Your Expectations?" 
Michael B. Junge, a staffing and recruiting industry leader with Irvine Technology Corp. in Santa Ana, Calif., and author of "Purple Squirrel: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Master the Modern Job Market," says that one of his favorite interview questions is when a candidate takes the lead and asks, "If I were offered this position and joined your company, how would you measure my success and what could I do to exceed your expectations?"
"The question shows confidence without being overly brash, while also demonstrating that you have an interest in delivering positive results," Junge adds. What's more, the answer you receive can reveal what the interviewer hopes to accomplish by making a new hire, and this information can help you determine whether to accept the position if you get an offer.
"How Could I Help Your Company Meet Its Goals?"
Dotson also suggests job candidates ask the interviewer, "How does this position fit in with the short- and long-term goals of the company?" The response to the short-term side of the question gives you further insight into your potential role and helps you tailor the remainder of the discussion and your interview follow-up, she says. "Second, by bringing up long-term goals, you are telling the hiring manager that you're there for the long-run, not just another new grad that is going to follow suit with her peers and job-hop every six months," Dotson says.
Junge also recommends that interviewees ask, "What challenges have other new hires faced when starting in similar roles, and what could I do to put myself in a better position to succeed?" He says few students or new grads will ask this question because most haven't witnessed failure. To a hiring manager, this question demonstrates maturity and awareness, and if you're hired, the answers can help you avoid the pitfalls of being new.

"What Excites You About Coming into Work?" 
Murshed Chowdhury, CEO of Infusive Solutions, a specialized staffing firm in New York City, suggests that candidates ask the interviewer, "What excites you about coming into work every day?"
"This is a role reversal question that we often suggest candidates ask," he says. People love the opportunity to talk about themselves, so this question provides an excellent chance to learn about the hiring manager and find ways to establish common ground. "This is also a great opportunity for the candidate to determine whether he/she is excited by the same things that excite the hiring manager to see if the culture is a good fit," Chowdhury adds.

The Bottom Line 

Although it is important to provide a great first impression to a potential employer, as well as acing the basics of a job interview, closing the interview strongly is just as important.
"Prove to your interviewer that you want this position and you are in this for the right reasons, not simply to fill your day with something to do," Rose says. Ask these questions before you leave, and leave your potential new employer with a great impression.