The ability to ask good questions is an important skill to show during the job interview process. Well-conceived questions not only help you gain answers to important questions, but can also show critical thinking skills that are important as a decision maker. Such questions should be sincere and thought-provoking, but also carefully presented so as to avoid the perception of arrogance, ego, or grandeur.
Ask questions that allow the interviewer to see you in the job. Creating an opportunity for the interviewer to see you in the job can help reinforce perceptions and put you on the desired loss prevention career path. This is also a good opportunity to bring up the research that you’ve done on the company. For example, “My research has taught me that the company is looking to grow significantly in the next 2 years…From an operations/human resources/corporate/global perspective, how would you like to see our department contribute to that growth?” This might also open the door for you to add how you feel that the department could/should contribute.
If the opportunity presents itself, try to learn a little about the person that you’re interviewing with, especially if it’s someone that you’ll be working directly for. Questions shouldn’t be too personal or probing; but intelligent, sensible questions that open doors to successful partnerships. Why did they join the company? What do they think about the direction of the organization? A job search is about finding a match. Candidly, you want to learn if this is a company, a program, and a team that you can work with as well.
Inspire Good Questions
The best way to inspire good questions is to offer answers and information that lead the interview in a positive and productive direction during the conversation. But inspiring good questions is also something that should begin well before an interview ever takes place. A well-written, well-constructed resume can be a critical aspect of the interview process, and should be seen as a starting point for every potential conversation. It is not only a summary of your professional experience and abilities; it is also a point of reference that the decision maker will use as they prepare for your interview. Make sure that your resume accurately reflects who you are, that it’s easy to read, and easy to follow. This is a point of first impression and a foundation for the interview.
A Winning Approach Starts with a Winning Attitude
A job interview provides a means to open a window into who we are—as a professional, as a leader, as a partner, and as a person. We are given precious minutes to summarize our value and our character; and make a positive and lasting impression on those having offered us the opportunity. This is a platform, and not a guarantee that others will see us for who we are. It is up to us to open the window and share the picture.
But an interview is also something more. It is a search for a match, and a chance to take our skills and abilities to another level. It is a means to build upon our career, and find a home that not only meets our needs, but helps reveal our future. Unfortunately, it is also a skill that many take for granted. It’s simply not enough to be good at what we do. We also have to be able to share that information with others, and offer the best possible picture of who we are so that we continue to move forward down a successful and rewarding loss prevention career path.
For more information on loss prevention careers, visit www.lpjobs.com.