Buying and Selling
I conduct every interview the same. I describe the job, ask a list of questions, review the applicant's resume, and then answer any questions. Most don't ask anything. If they do, chances are the answer is on our website or in the job description.
There was one notable exception, a woman who pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and rattled off a dozen. They were good questions, too, about the way decisions were made, how people resolved conflict, and the future of the organization. Wow. She was prepared.
And smart. In a job interview, both parties are buying and selling. You are selling your skills, but you are also buying a place to practice them. It makes sense to ask a few questions to avoid buyer's remorse:
- How will my performance be evaluated?
- How often do you have lab meetings, and how are changes communicated?
- What makes your hospital a great place to work?
- Why do your patients choose to come here?
- How would you describe your management style?
Just as an interviewer should ask questions that help he or she decide if you are the best candidate, you need to ask questions that help you decide if this is the right place to work. Since this depends on your values, what you ask tells the interviewer something useful. It's worth your time to think about.
If your questions are focused on teamwork, open communication, and transparent decision making, that paints a different picture than questions all about salary, vacation time, and tuition assistance. Remember, you're selling yourself as a worker, but you're buying an environment to work in.
Think about what you want to ask. The right questions will help get you the right job.