John Borrowman, CPC
Borrowman Baker, LLC
Gallatin, TN
Job interviews can be challenging because they combine the desire to put your best foot forward with the need to get the answers to questions you might not be sure quite how to ask. How do you manage that?
Our brains are wired to respond in a way that the more specific the question, the more specific—and usually better—the answer. You can leverage that wiring by using context to set the stage for your question.
When you want to know what kind of work the firm does, you can ask:
If I started work tomorrow, what projects would you want me to start working on?
When you want to know what they want you to do, you can ask:
What is the usual staffing pattern on an engagement, and where would I fit?
When you want to know about work-life balance, you can ask:
If you need flexibility for an obligation with one of your kids, how does management look at that?
Notice how each question includes context, or maybe a scenario, that creates a more detailed question. Practice a few times and see how you can get a more helpful answer that can lead to a better interview conversation.
Topics in This Issue
