Through the years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing dozens and dozens and dozens of people.  And I always begin by asking a standardized list of questions to determine fit - fitness for the role, for the team, for the culture - followed by 4-5 individualized questions designed specifically with that candidate in mind.  Then I end by asking…

“Do you have any questions for me?”

And the questions people choose to ask in that moment often tell me far more about who they are, how they’ll fit, and what they value than any answer they gave along the way.  In fact, there have been many occasions when the incisive nature of their inquiry or the boldness of their curiosity was what set them apart and earned them the job.

 

One young leader who knew how much I enjoyed this segment of the interview process (and really how much I enjoy question-asking in general) asked me a truly great question one day in her monthly one-to-one.  She asked…

“What questions should I have asked that I didn’t in my interview process?”

What a phenomenal question!

 

I thought for a minute and then offered 3 or 4 suggestions specific to her situation, life experience, and future dreams that I think would’ve given her more information about me and the organization she was applying to, and she walked away satisfied.

 

B U T I D I D N ’ T .

 

The questions I gave her were great for her; that’s not why I was unsatisfied. 

 

I was unsatisfied, because everything I gave her was exclusively specific to one person and one role at one juncture in her career; so truthfully, those questions were no longer of any value to anyone. 

 

So, my brain began to spin, and my pen began to scribble. 

 

I came up with a long, long, long list of questions – too long to share with anyone, too long to ask in an interview, too long to remember – so I started scratching off anything but the best, most essential questions.  Then I took what was left, looked for overlap, eliminated redundancy, and whittled the list down to 5 questions.

 

5 Questions You Should Ask Before Accepting A Job

5 Questions You Should Ask To Determine If You Should Stay In Your Current Job

5 Questions Employers And Managers Should Ask Before Posting A Job

5 Questions We Should All Be Asking Regularly

 

I’ll offer them mostly free of commentary or development, because the “right” answers differ from person to person. 

 

Only you can determine what constitutes the difference between…

 

A Get-Out-Of-This-Office-ASAP Answer

A Thanks-But-No-Thanks Answer

A Good-Enough-For-Now Answer

A Pretty Amazing Answer

And…

A Soul-Filling Answer

 

So, here you go. 

 

Figure out what answers you need and want to see evidence of. 

 

Then ask these five simple, but life-changing questions…

 

1.  Why do you want me? 

In other words, how will my individual contribution impact the whole?  How does you hiring me advance the company and help it achieve its overarching ‘Why’?

2.  How free am I to fail? 

Will I be able to explore, push boundaries, and try new things?  Is it safe to fail here?

3.  Can I get better here? 

Are there people in place who will go above and beyond to pour into me and help me become the best I can be even if that may one day lead me to a different company or career field?  Will I be stretched, challenged, and given opportunities beyond my skill and experience level?

4.  Am I valued here? 

Will I be supported and cared for as a unique individual and personality?  Do you want to get to know me for me or is your primary concern what I can do for you?

5.  Am I set up to succeed? 

Will I have everything I need to bring my best?  Does the culture and environment allow me to flourish and thrive?  Who is clearing the roadblocks and paving the way for me to make my greatest contribution while experiencing my greatest satisfaction?

 

Asking these 5 questions and only saying “yes” when the answers are in the “Pretty Amazing” to “Soul-Filling” range is Step One in finding that elusive vocational fit you’ve always dreamt of.