How to turn a job interview into an open conversation?

Usually, when we are interviewing, we are used to the employer being the leading party, setting the tone of the conversation and asking for information related to our experience. A job interview should be an open conversation of a getting-to-know-you nature, where both parties get to know the person/company in question.

During an interview with a company, it is important to require that we are told in detail what our main duties will be, what the technology we will be working with is, and the basic processes that are followed. This will give us information on how advanced methods the chosen employer uses and where they are in relation to competitors if we already have experience in a similar company. Another type of question relates to the team and line manager we will be working with. It would be great if there is an opportunity to meet them beforehand and get an impression.

Here are a few questions that might help us piece together the puzzle of the overall picture we are building of our potential future employer:

• How does the company support employee professional development and career growth?
• How does the company approach innovation and encourage new ideas?
• What is the leadership style of my direct supervisor?
• How long have my future team members been part of the company?

In addition to work processes, it is important to understand the company's culture, because, from the atmosphere and attitude towards employees, we can get information about the management and the way of communication and cooperation.

One way to find out more about a company's culture is to ask questions such as:

• Tell me about the company culture and what it's like to work here. How are the company's values reflected in its operations?
• How does the company provide work-life balance?
• How is communication and collaboration between colleagues and management encouraged?

The answers to these questions can give us insider information about the company's culture and working climate, which can help us assess whether it is the right fit for us. In addition, we may ask the other party to describe how they envision the right candidate for the position and see how well we meet expectations.

Asking thoughtful and well-structured questions during an interview not only demonstrates our interest and commitment to the role but also shows that we have researched the company and are familiar with its goals and values.

It's important to mention that it's not always possible to ask all the questions, so we may choose the most important ones for us in advance. In addition, it is extremely important to listen carefully, as much of the information we are looking for may be shared with us during the conversation and then we may only ask one or two of the follow-up questions.

In conclusion, we should always prepare for an interview, we should be familiar with the company against the information provided in the different channels. It is good to have a list of the most important questions whose answers we are looking for and to take notes so that we do not miss something key. At the end of the meeting, after gathering all the information, we need to take stock and see if the people we have met have liked us as individuals because this is also important in making an informed decision about whether we have found the right workplace and are ready to say yes to a possible job offer.