Moving towards a new job is a great opportunity for many individuals. After all, accepting a job offer entails that an individual has made it through various rounds of applications, interviews, back and forth emails, and the like. Because of this, it is quite tempting to accept the job offer right away.
However, for those who want to ensure that they are going into their new job with a clear perspective, asking the right questions is essential. This allows individuals to weigh the pros and cons that come with the job prior to committing themselves to the job offer. Below are some of these questions.
Question #1 – Company Expectations
Asking “What are the company’s expectations for me as I start this position?” gives the prospective employee a better understanding of the work that they will be doing every day. This also allows the interviewer to clarify the person’s job title, how this role fits into the company’s structure, and what this role brings to the table.
Moreover, asking this question also gives the interviewee more insight as to how their success in the field will be measured. This can lead them to discover the particular goals, outcomes, and evaluations they will be measured against.
This is the perfect time to ask about any differences or discrepancies that may arise between what was discussed in the interview and what was posted in the job description. Asking this question can help the individual prepare for their first day and how they can proceed in their new role.
Question #2 – Current Projects
“What are the current and most important projects being worked on at the moment?” This question allows prospective hires to learn more not just about the company, but also what the team is working on and how the person can provide support and assistance to the team.
This type of question helps individuals understand what skills and experiences they can bring to the table and how they could build upon such projects.
At the same time, this helps determine the team dynamics in place and how comfortable one will fit in working with others on the said project/s.
Question #3 – Development Opportunities
“What are the educational or professional development opportunities provided by the company?” By asking this question, individuals can gauge what steps the company takes to support their careers and any opportunities that await them in a role there.
Those seeking career advancement should know if their new job offers the potential to move upwards. Many companies are willing to support employees in going back to school, often giving them access to educational funding or even additional training to help them advance in their careers.
Depending on the company and its deal with its employees, a business can either pay for a part of the individual’s tuition or training or pay for its whole fee. Others will even allow their employees to take a leave of absence to help them focus on their continuing education or training.
Question #4 – Benefits
“What are the benefits that come with the job?” Before entering a company, an individual should be aware of the benefits package provided. This ensures that there are no surprises when a person begins their job. After all, benefits can be a major determining factor when it comes to evaluating a job offer.
Some of the health benefits that matter most to employees are health insurance, paid vacation leaves, sick leaves, as well as life and disability insurance. Many people also value retirement plans, so be sure to ask about all of these.
Since one employer is different from another, checking with the company to see what they offer is important. This gives the individual room to check if they can negotiate other benefits they may want to have or if there are any restrictions in place prior to using a benefit.
Question #5 – Salary
“Is the salary negotiable?” There are different salary ranges per role and per company and many employers offering the job may not have a salary set in stone. However, they are not going to tell prospective hires outright that these salaries are negotiable.
Given this, asking them for a higher salary or a negotiating one can work in the individual’s favor. More often than not, employers have room to negotiate the salary and meet halfway.
Asking about the salary also gets the person to know about inclusions, from the base pay to bonus schemes. Moreover, this forces the individual to gauge whether or not the salary is fair for the role and experience, as well as if it is enough to support the needs and lifestyle of the person.
Also read – Salary Jobs – How to Search Online for these Positions
Question #6 – Vacation and Sick Leave
“What are the company’s policies on vacation and sick leaves?” Asking about vacation and sick leaves can be awkward, especially during the interview, but it is a good time as any to learn about the company policies surrounding this.
Companies have different policies on sick and vacation leaves. Some companies allow employees to take paid vacations once they have accrued them after working for a certain amount of time. On the other hand, some companies only allow unpaid vacations.
There are also companies that allow employees to roll over unused sick and vacation days for the following year, while there are others who also do not allow this and instead provide incentives.
Question #7 – Work-Life Balance
“How does the company put emphasis on work-life balance?” Work-life balance is essential for maintaining a great quality of life, especially as this helps employees have a life outside of work. Doing so helps them from experiencing burnout and stress in the workplace.
With more individuals putting emphasis on their work-life balance, learning more about the company’s role in promoting this is ideal as this gives prospective hires an idea of what the company culture and environment are like and what support they will be getting from their employer.
Asking this question gives individuals the insight to further understand whether the position being offered is right for them and if this job will provide them with the work-life balance they need. From promoting flexitime to telecommuting, options exist to achieve this.
Question #8 – Company Culture
“What is the company culture like?” Each company has its own unique culture and environment. For many prospective employees, learning about their place of work is important as this sets the tone for their working life. By asking this question, they can determine how they will fit in and fare within the company.
Company culture can encompass an extensive range of aspects. From dress codes to extending recognition and appreciation to employees who have done well in their line of work, these can all factor in the culture and environment of a company.
Bringing this up in the interview prior to accepting the job offer also gives the person time to reflect not just on their own values, but also if these are in line with what the nature of the job is and what the company is promoting.
Question #9 – Employee Feedback
“What do other employees say about the company?” It is one thing for the employer to say something about their company culture and environment and another thing altogether when employees speak about their place of work. To gauge what work is like for other employees, ask this question before getting the job.
Hearing from both past and present employees will help you really understand how the company operates. Those who find that employees are happy and supported in their jobs would most likely consider working in the same company as well.
If the human resources manager or interviewer does not hesitate to impart knowledge about what employees say about the company, chances are they mostly receive positive feedback from their workers.
Question #10 – Office Set-Up
“What is the office set-up like?” Working in an office alongside other teams and departments can be scary for those who do not have an idea of what their new workplace is like. Learning more about the current work set-up reduces or eliminates any apprehensions they may have.
The office should be conducive to doing the work required and a place where employees can thrive. With this, they should know if the existing layout works for their needs.
Many prefer working in a more private setting, while others also do well with an open-plan office where they can easily reach out and collaborate with other people. Asking this question might also earn individuals a chance to see their workstation as well as meet people from their department.
Also read – Interview Body Language: Do’s and Don’ts for Success
Conclusion
Taking the time to think things through before accepting a job offer is just the norm. With these questions, individuals can first weigh the pros and cons before committing themselves to work for a new company.