Do you believe that asking questions is rude and displeasing? If yes, then think again. Humanity might not have left the safety of caves and trees if they had not questioned their situation and searched for answers. We would have hardly made any progress in science or medicine had we not asked questions or hunted for solutions. So, why not ask a prospective employer questions before joining any position? Every employer welcomes a curious candidate who has the ability to ask the right questions. So, we have decided to provide a brief overview of how to make sure a job is right for you and what questions to ask an employer before accepting a job offer.
Tips: How to make sure a job is right for you?
Most candidates wonder if a specific job is right for them even after receiving the offer. The question becomes more relevant when choosing from multiple job offers. So, here is what you need to do. Ask these fundamental questions to yourself first:
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Does this job match the goals in my life?
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Is the job role challenging or monotonous?
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What are the workplace culture and background of my would-be colleagues/co-workers?
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Will I be productive in this job?
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Is the job remuneration enough to support my lifestyle?
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Will it be a professionally satisfying job?
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Is there any social stigma around the job? If yes, can I overcome it after accepting the job?
You can find answers to the above questions after having an honest conversation with your interviewer or would-be employer. The better clarity you have, the more satisfying work experience you will enjoy in the future. Every employer wants satisfied and productive human resources. So, you should know what questions to ask before joining a company.
Questions to ask an employer
We have segregated this part into TWO phases for clarity and convenience.
Questions to ask an employer during a job interview
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What will be my daily responsibilities? – It will help you gain clarity on what the employer expects from your position. It will help you understand if the responsibilities are objectively defined or not.
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What should be the necessary characteristics of an ideal employee for this job role? - You will understand if you are already fit for the job role or if you need to develop certain skills. If you find out that attaining success in the job role will require significant skill development, you might need to get ready to work hard.
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What is the company’s organisational value system? – Candidates often overlook the importance of organisational value and fail to align them with their personality traits. If you are highly growth-driven and the organisation is not, it might be difficult for you to thrive in that work environment.
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How does success look like in the job role? You should clearly understand what is defined as success in your job role. It can be achieving monthly sales targets, onboarding a certain number of prospective clients, servicing customers or training a certain number of people.
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What are the success measurement metrics? – Understanding objective Key Result Areas (KRAs) is essential. Any subjectivity can add to the confusion and cause unnecessary misunderstanding, so do not leave anything to interpretation.
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What is the career growth path in this job role? – You will naturally want to grow over time for the same of financial benefits and social appreciation. A job role without a clear career growth path may be disastrous for your future.
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Who will I be working with closely? - It is always helpful to know your colleagues, their qualifications, background and experience level. They are your support system as well as competitors.
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What is most challenging about this job role? - You will get an idea to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario.
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Which part of my qualification and experience makes me fit for the role? - This question will help you understand how much the interviewer is invested in you. If the interviewers respond positively, then they are mentally committed to you.
Questions to ask an employer before accepting a job offer
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What is the company's brand equity and market reputation as an employer? - At the beginning of your career, you can take the risk of joining small enterprises or start-ups. But the right information will also help you to decide on a suitable remuneration or negotiate the same. Less-reputed companies should ideally compensate you more for their lack of brand value.
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What is the benefits package? - It includes assured financial and non-financial benefits.
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What are the financial and non-financial incentives (performance-linked)? - Challenging job roles should have performance-linked benefits.
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Does the job role allow working remotely? - Are you allowed to deliver your responsibilities, at least partly, by working remotely, if necessary? It is a piece of critical information in the post-pandemic job world.
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What is the minimum notice period if I want to resign? - If you get another attractive offer, it will help you to know about the number of days you need to work before resigning.
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Whom will I report to? – It is vital to know at least something about your boss by asking this question. Enquire about the person you will be reporting to and gather as much information as possible from different sources before accepting the offer. This will help you to slip into the role easily.
Final words
Now that you know about the questions to ask before joining a company, it is time to start applying and preparing for interviews. Never hesitate to ask the right questions and make decisions based on correct information. After all, it’s a matter of your professional success and something that will define a major part of your life for years to come.
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