10 unconventional questions you should start asking in job interviews (especially as a graduate)

A few days ago, a good friend of mine who recently finished school and started applying for jobs asked me the following questions: “What is the last part of the job interview about? What kind of questions do I ask my potential employer? And how do I know if the job I applied for is the right job for me?”

I had the same questions when I left university. Even if you went through a hand full of internships - the logic and unspoken rules of the working world and university are quite different. In addition to that we “freshly baked employees” are in a phase of our lives, in which we still experiment with questions like “Who am I? And what do I want?”. A natural consequence of this state of mind is a behavior or job market phenomenon Sociologists label “job shopping” or “job hopping”.

So do not panic if you realize after 12-18 months in your first job that this absolutely isn’t what you are looking for…

After working for a few companies (these Scientists seem to be right with their assumptions) and reading more about the values and life-work philosophies of my Generation, Generation Y, I realized that one of our major needs is a sustainable, value adding job. We do not see work as an annoying duty anymore, we see it as a possibility to express ourselves and create something great. The jobs we choose have to fit to our life concepts, not the other way round. That is also why we sincerely believe that we can make this world a better place. That is why we believe in Unicorns. Hehe.

Anyway, back to business. Potential questions that might be worth reflecting on – before and during the job interview – are:

• What are your concrete responsibilities and tasks in this position?

Some companies do an excellent job when it comes to their job descriptions. They have to, as it is part of their Corporate Branding. But: How much of the promised tasks will actually be part of your daily routine? Print out the job description and simply ask your interviewer. You will spare yourself potential disappointments when doing so. Why? - An example: If you applied for a Marketing position but the company actually wants you to do Sales, this employment will most probably not last very long. You will be bored and/or frustrated and start looking for a new job pretty soon.

• How does your team look like?

What is the average age of your potential team members? From which cultural and educational background are they? What is the female-male ratio? You will spend around eight hours at work. Five days per week. I personally believe that you must be able to somehow identify yourself with your future colleagues. How you find that out? I always ask myself the “Google question”: If I was stuck at an airport as the flight was delayed, would I enjoy spending time with my colleagues? Would I find topics to talk about? Or would this be the longest, most boring five hours of my life?

• How much travelling does this position require (in %)?

You have a cat, 13 plants at home that need to be watered every second day and finalize your studies? Hmmm… if your company wants you to travel 80% of your time, this might lead to conflicts.

• How flexible is the company in regards to working hours and your working environment?

Can you regularly work from home? If you are an early riser, can you start working at 6:30am? If you have a (chronically) sick parent, can you sometimes leave work earlier when you need to take your mother to the hospital? If the answers are no, your answer might be the same regarding the job offer.

• What are potential career/ growth opportunities in this role?

Can you e.g. change into another country? Will you be asked to lead a team in the near future? Will the company support you in your plans to do a Masters? No development plans? Hmmm… I am sure that the main competitor of the company you applied at has some.

• How/ who is your Line Manager?

Ask the interviewer to describe him/her and his/her most interesting characteristics to you. Why? - Imagine you are a Philanthropist and your potential boss generally mistrusts or dislikes Human Beings… this might be a source of daily issues. Been there. Done that. It is just incredible annoying and absolutely not worth the stress wrinkles.

• How does your office look like?

Are there (big) windows? Is there enough sunlight? With how many people do you have to share the office? Look at the ceiling - is there mold around the air cons? Have a look at the trash bins and office desks – how organized or tidy are they? I know it is sad that you have to think about this, but…oh well…it is better to confront yourself with questions like this in the beginning, than regretting your decision at a later stage.

• Does the company have a Mentoring and Coaching system?

If yes, ask the interviewer to explain it to you resp. tell you more about it (you will get the basics from their web side). Especially when you are a fresh graduate this aspect might be important for you.

• Can you get a clearer picture of the company’s feedback culture?

Many Millennial apparently highly appreciate and ask for frequent constructive feedback, as this is part of their learning and growth strategy. If your Line Manager or the company you applied for has to look up the word “feedback” in a dictionary, you might want to reconsider your plans of working there.

• How does your salary and assets look like?

Find out concrete numbers resp. facts in regards to your basic salary, your housing allowance, your transportation allowance (company car, petrol reimbursement?), annual flights, a bonus (%?), 13th salary, end of service gratuity (%/amount), health insurance (international? dental?), life insurance/ accident insurance, pension sheme and - last but not least - will you be provided with a mobile phone and laptop?

If your picture of the job you applied for and the facts you were confronted with during the job interview absolutely do not match, accepting the job offer might not be a good idea for both parties. You will feel bored and/or frustrated after some time. And you will deliver average results, which is understandable as you are unmotivated. Your employer will feel stressed and/or annoyed because you do not perform adequately. So the company loses money and you lose your reputation and will have the feeling that you are wasting your life. Nobody wins in this scenario.

My conclusion?

Search a little bit longer and decide for a job and employer that really suits your needs. Do not put yourself in the victim position. A job interview provides BOTH parties – the employer and employee – the possibility to get to know each other.

In the end, job search is kind of a “matching game”.

You offer the assets or skills X, Y, Z and want to trade them in for the benefits B, C, D. The company you applied at looks for the assets X, W, M and can offer you the benefits B, D, G. It does not match this time? Hm... it will next time! There are enough great employers and jobs out there. And if both parties really WANT to work together, they will find a way and compromise. Because: The “perfect” match, “perfect” employer or “perfect” employee does not exist.

“Perfect” is an unreachable, vague goal.