Networking interview questions
Source: https://careerzone.universiteitleiden.nl/en/develop-your-skills/application-skills/networking/networking-questions Parent: https://careerzone.universiteitleiden.nl/en/develop-your-skills/application-skills/networking/mentor-network/
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Networking interview questions
What kinds of questions can you ask during a networking conversation?
In general
- Of course, check in advance whether you can use a formal or informal approach.\
- To break the ice
- Where does he/she come from?
- How did he/she hear about this event?
- Did he/she visit an event before?\
- General advice
- What books, articles or podcasts are recommended to expand your knowledge?
- What does he/she recommend as a next step?
- What should you definitely not do?\
- As a conclusion
- Is there a golden tip?
- Is there someone else you should definitely talk to?
- Is it allowed to add someone on LinkedIn?
- Or to send an email or call later on?
Education
- What does someone still use from his or her education in his or her current job?
- Is your education a good stepping stone tot he job someone is doing?
- Would he/she choose the same programme/education again?
Work experience
- How long does he/she have his/her current job?
- What does someone wish they had known about this position when they started?
- What was his/her first job?
- What does a career path look like?
- What education did someone do? Did he/she consciously choose this profession/field of work?
- If not, how did he/she end up in this job?
- What image did someone have of the first job after graduation?
- What did he/she undertake to get information?
- Who or what was of influence with regards to the choice of the current and/or first job?
The position
- What does a function entail? Job title and brief description of the function
- Context/environment in which the work is carried out (e.g. working outdoors, irregular working hours, ratio of team/individual work etc.)
- Other aspects to be taken into account? Wwork clothing, footwear, safety equipment etc.
- Main duties, other duties, details of duties
- What is the focus of the job?
- What role does someone have within the team?
- What is the most important responsibility?
- Are there also projects?
- Describe a normal working day/week
- Does it happen that you have to work late?
- Describe a normal month/year
- What distinguishes a top performer in this position from a mediocre performer?
- What is the average age of employees in this position?
- What is the average background of employees in this position?
- What are the good/positive aspects of the job (e.g. certain tasks or duties)
- What are the negative aspects of the job (e.g. certain tasks or duties)
- What are disadvantages of the job (e.g. working hours, location, working outdoors etc.)
- Is the image you had of the position during your job interview or first day at work, correct?
- If not, what is different from what you’ve imagined?
Colleagues / manager
- How are your colleagues?
- What is important within the team?
- How would you describe your manager? Or how do you see yourself as manager?
- Imagine, I will come to work for you, and it is my first job, how will I be welcomed into the team?
- Does everyone have their own role/task?
- How do you communicate with each other?
- How would you describe the leadership style within the team / department / organisation?
- What is expected of me if I become your new colleague?
Organisation
- What is the hierarchical structure within the organisation?
- How can the organisational culture be described?
- What kind of organisation is it? A multinational, family business or an NGO e.g.
- What makes it fun to work for this organisation?
- What are the most important developments within the organisation?
- What do you wish you hade known about this organisation when you started?
- Is the image you had of the organisation during your job interview or first day at work, correct?
- If not, what is different from what you’ve imagined?
Industry
- Where do you think this sector/industry will be in 10 years?
- What is the biggest development in this industry?
- What do you wish you had known about this industry when you started?
- How has this industry changed over the years?
- What is the biggest challenge dfor this insdustry?
Working hours
- What working hours are common in this position, the team, department or organisation?
- Are flexible working hours and option? Do you have to be in the office at a certain time e.g.?
- Is it common to work late? If so, what is the reason and how does this look like?
- Is part-time work an option? For this position, within the team, de department or organisation?
- Are other forms of fleixibility an option? Is it for example possible to work remotely?
- How are vacation and leave days arranged?
Salary
- What is the salary with regards to an entry position?
- And after a while? How often do the salary steps follow each other: onze a year or more often?
- Is there a collective agreement within the organisation or industry?
- Does the salary depend on personal efforts / own turnover?
- What are additional benefits of the job? For example a 13th month, company car or a gym membership
Prospects or career opportunities
- Is additional training necessary in connection to (rapid) changes within this work?
- What are the career opportunities within the position, the team, department or organisation?
- What training is offered right after hire, over time?
- Is there a personal training budget or development plan?
- How are you evaluated for the work you do? And what are the consequences?
If the information you receive about a position and/or organisation sounds appealing, you also would like to know how you ‘get in’. Below there are questions you can ask when you’re interested in the recruitment process.
Recruitment
- Imagine, I would like to work fort his organisation, where can I find vacancies?
- How did someone find their job?
- How did someone find their first job?
- Are open application taken into consideration within the organisation? If so, how does it work?
- Do you have a name and contact details of a recruiter?
Selection
- What qualification(s)/diplomas are required?
- Do I have a chance of getting this position or finding a job within this organisation with my education X or academic working and thinking level?
- What work experience is required?
- What does this experience look like? E.g. you only have internship experience, is this sufficient?
- What personal qualities/skills are important?
- Are there any physical requirements?
- Are certain attitudes to work requested? E.g. no problems with overtime?
- What are the requirements for a CV?
- And for a cover letter?
Personal (about you)
- This is me, this is my personality, knowledge, experience, does it fit with this position? Does it fit in this context? If bot, what is (still) missing?
- Do you have any advice/tips for me?
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