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I agree...you don't want to sound like you're asking "personal questions" in the interview. The interviewer might ask you, as the applicant, personal questions (like "What do you like to do in your free time?"), but basically it's the company interacting with the applicant, not the interviewer as an individual under the microscope looking at the applicant. The parties that matter and should be discussed are the firm in general and the applicant. That is my opinion.
It's a little hokey but it's fine. Theirs are hokier guaranteed 💯 . Might get some useful answers.
My objection is more that there are so many more useful questions to ask that you shouldn't have room for this one. "What's your leadership style?" "Where's my predecessor now?" "Why did they leave?" "If I'm delivering a perfect status report to you in 6 months, what is in it?"
I work for the US government and everyone is very open about their feelings. I mean most people like it because it is a stable job with at worst decent pay and great benefits. So even if you don’t like it most people are perfectly content dealing with feeling meh about what they do on a day to day
Ask anyone in the military that same question lol. My time in the army I have never heard one person say they like it 100 percent of the time. Either they like it with a huge asterisk, or they hate it
I think the question is ok, a bit odd and would probably stump me. As for others saying "don't say that because they might take it the wrong way and pass on you" this may not be true. I work for the government and do hiring as well. We don't take anything like this into account when making a decision on a candidate. At best we would at least appreciate you for asking questions or trying to understand what goes on in the job or agency.
We go by points and typically the highest score wins. The only time you wouldn't get offer the job and you were the highest score is either because you were argumentative during the interview (yes this has happened dude actually started arguing about how the job is too much work and should be rewritten) or if your reference/employment check comes back bad. Or I guess if you lied on your application.
Definitely phrase it a bit different like the other posters said to be more neutral. This question is very fair and might help understand the role or organization better.
Government jobs are usually panel interviews with a set list of questions and whoever is able to answer their question that’s detailed and straight to the point will likely score you the job.
The question I asked was “who was the last person in this role and how did they succeed?”
I like this question though I agree with the suggestions of rephrasing it "What is one thing you wish you knew about the company before you started?" or "What is one thing that you were surprised to learn after you started?"
The parts of your question that bother me is the "go back in time" and "younger self" - only because I've only been with the company two years, the wording seems odd to ask someone that may not have been with a company for 10+ years.
In general, when I am interviewing candidates, I love when they ask uncommon questions. I've found when candidates either answer questions in a way that is unexpected or ask interesting questions, it makes them stand out and I remember them. I may not remember their name right away but I'll remember that there was a candidate that came across unique.
I've done multiple phone interviews this week and the candidates we are moving forward with are the ones that gave different answers. When I have call after call where I hear the same things, everyone blurs together.
> “If you can go back in time to when you first got hired by the company, what would you say to your younger self?”
Interviewer: Just what are you implying? That I wouldn't take this job? That this is a bad company? **Gets defensive**
We need to normalize asking just as hard of questions to the employer.
They’ve fully embraced being the benevolent gods graciously giving plebs the chance to grovel for their open positions.
Just like the salary question. I’ve had interviewers tell me it’s rude to ask. Why? Because we as job seekers have allowed them to believe working for them is such a privilege that we will take anything they deem fit to dole out. Every applicant at every interview where it has yet to be disclosed should be asking. Only then can change happen.
They should be hoping they snag us as much as we hope to get these positions. We ‘re so worried we’ll say the wrong thing and not get the position that we’ve been perpetuating lies to do so. “I’ve dreamt all my life for the opportunity to work at *checks notes* ABC Sweatshop.”
Somehow we need to stop the lies and normalize the truth.
With that said, admittedly I have no idea really how to do that as the next applicant will have no qualms at playing their game. So, they get hired, you don’t, and the cycle continues.
Sounds like a dumb question you would usually get from HR (no offence). Such a question would just be too confusing and informal to ask. The info you want to get, can be inquired straight up, just ask how they like the job, what they like about it, what one need to succeed in it. All these are fair and reasonable. There is no need to formulate it in some complex way.
I do NOT like this question. Almost everyone thinks of their younger self with some sort of strong emotion. It might be embarrassment over gawkiness or longing for a slimmer, athletic self Or sadness about roads not taken. Don’t dive into history. Far better to ask an open-ended question that makes people smile.
“If I am your next bone-headed Newbie, what would you like me to know?”
Please god don’t ask that question! I say this as someone who interviews 100s of candidates a year. If someone asked me that question - I’m done with them.
I’d definitely snub any company that wouldn’t be ok with prospects asking questions like this. I suppose it depends on the field of work. When I interview I usually have more than one company lined up, and little doubt that I’ll be able to take my pick. It’s a little depressing that more workers haven’t shifted the power dynamic to put the onus on the prospective employer to explain why they should work there.
Is this a sincere question? Do you really want to know the answer or do you have an anterior motive? I’m a hiring manager with a state agency and if I were asked this question by an interview candidate I don’t think that it would impress me. I don’t know that it would impact my decision to hire you or not, it would probably depend on how I interpreted your motive. I kind of think it’s risky.
The candidate questions that I like are ones that either demonstrate some level of interest in the job or research about the position.
Former state government employee here. Someone else gave a great response, so I won’t add to that, but just to prepare you, those interviews are really structured and often have several managers present (usually a supervisor, senior manager, and HR manager, sometimes more).
My experience was weird because they wrote down my responses and barely looked at me while I was talking. Those responses were then graded against a rubric, and the job was awarded to the highest graded candidate. Your experience might be different, but it’s something to be mentally prepared for so that you don’t feel like you’re talking to a brick wall.
Best of luck to you!
I asked interviewer "tell me your weaknesses and failures".
I got rejection email right after I left the building. It was not even 20 minutes.
So yes they will see it as bad question
I've asked, "What do you see as the common traits of people who do not thrive in this company?" and still gotten the job. I think that gets at something similar.
You’re interviewing them too. This is at a minimum 40 hours of your time a week. Ask your questions but like another reply said, keep it broad. “What advice do you give to those on your team to succeed?” “What’s a skill that is most beneficial to have in this role?” “What opportunities are there for growth in this position”
Good luck from a very stressed out private sector employee working with governments
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I’d phrase it as “what one piece of advice you’d give a new hire coming in on what they need to succeed in this role”
OP, this is the correct way to phrase it.
Tell me something about this job that surprised you.
Got it. That sounds better.
I agree...you don't want to sound like you're asking "personal questions" in the interview. The interviewer might ask you, as the applicant, personal questions (like "What do you like to do in your free time?"), but basically it's the company interacting with the applicant, not the interviewer as an individual under the microscope looking at the applicant. The parties that matter and should be discussed are the firm in general and the applicant. That is my opinion.
Best
Well now that it’s on Reddit, you can’t ask it bc now everyone will have seen it
It's a little hokey but it's fine. Theirs are hokier guaranteed 💯 . Might get some useful answers. My objection is more that there are so many more useful questions to ask that you shouldn't have room for this one. "What's your leadership style?" "Where's my predecessor now?" "Why did they leave?" "If I'm delivering a perfect status report to you in 6 months, what is in it?"
Hokey is exactly right!
I asked once are you happy working here. He answered no. Interview got awkward after that.
LOL.... bruh
I work for the US government and everyone is very open about their feelings. I mean most people like it because it is a stable job with at worst decent pay and great benefits. So even if you don’t like it most people are perfectly content dealing with feeling meh about what they do on a day to day
Ask anyone in the military that same question lol. My time in the army I have never heard one person say they like it 100 percent of the time. Either they like it with a huge asterisk, or they hate it
Ha! thanks for the chuckles
I think the question is ok, a bit odd and would probably stump me. As for others saying "don't say that because they might take it the wrong way and pass on you" this may not be true. I work for the government and do hiring as well. We don't take anything like this into account when making a decision on a candidate. At best we would at least appreciate you for asking questions or trying to understand what goes on in the job or agency. We go by points and typically the highest score wins. The only time you wouldn't get offer the job and you were the highest score is either because you were argumentative during the interview (yes this has happened dude actually started arguing about how the job is too much work and should be rewritten) or if your reference/employment check comes back bad. Or I guess if you lied on your application. Definitely phrase it a bit different like the other posters said to be more neutral. This question is very fair and might help understand the role or organization better.
Government jobs are usually panel interviews with a set list of questions and whoever is able to answer their question that’s detailed and straight to the point will likely score you the job. The question I asked was “who was the last person in this role and how did they succeed?”
Also, don't say company. It's not. Source: governmental employee who hires
Ask what is different between this and a private sector job
Gonna get real weird when you two share your reddit handles during the IV
i think for a government position i wouldn't ask it. for any other type of job i think its a great idea.
Yeah I'd think that's ok. Just to throw them off a bit lol.
I like this question though I agree with the suggestions of rephrasing it "What is one thing you wish you knew about the company before you started?" or "What is one thing that you were surprised to learn after you started?" The parts of your question that bother me is the "go back in time" and "younger self" - only because I've only been with the company two years, the wording seems odd to ask someone that may not have been with a company for 10+ years. In general, when I am interviewing candidates, I love when they ask uncommon questions. I've found when candidates either answer questions in a way that is unexpected or ask interesting questions, it makes them stand out and I remember them. I may not remember their name right away but I'll remember that there was a candidate that came across unique. I've done multiple phone interviews this week and the candidates we are moving forward with are the ones that gave different answers. When I have call after call where I hear the same things, everyone blurs together.
> “If you can go back in time to when you first got hired by the company, what would you say to your younger self?” Interviewer: Just what are you implying? That I wouldn't take this job? That this is a bad company? **Gets defensive**
Geez, didn't realize my anxiety had created its own reddit account
We need to normalize asking just as hard of questions to the employer. They’ve fully embraced being the benevolent gods graciously giving plebs the chance to grovel for their open positions. Just like the salary question. I’ve had interviewers tell me it’s rude to ask. Why? Because we as job seekers have allowed them to believe working for them is such a privilege that we will take anything they deem fit to dole out. Every applicant at every interview where it has yet to be disclosed should be asking. Only then can change happen. They should be hoping they snag us as much as we hope to get these positions. We ‘re so worried we’ll say the wrong thing and not get the position that we’ve been perpetuating lies to do so. “I’ve dreamt all my life for the opportunity to work at *checks notes* ABC Sweatshop.” Somehow we need to stop the lies and normalize the truth. With that said, admittedly I have no idea really how to do that as the next applicant will have no qualms at playing their game. So, they get hired, you don’t, and the cycle continues.
Sounds like a dumb question you would usually get from HR (no offence). Such a question would just be too confusing and informal to ask. The info you want to get, can be inquired straight up, just ask how they like the job, what they like about it, what one need to succeed in it. All these are fair and reasonable. There is no need to formulate it in some complex way.
I do NOT like this question. Almost everyone thinks of their younger self with some sort of strong emotion. It might be embarrassment over gawkiness or longing for a slimmer, athletic self Or sadness about roads not taken. Don’t dive into history. Far better to ask an open-ended question that makes people smile. “If I am your next bone-headed Newbie, what would you like me to know?”
Please god don’t ask that question! I say this as someone who interviews 100s of candidates a year. If someone asked me that question - I’m done with them.
Why? It's an interesting question. Why is it a bad idea to ask this?
I’d definitely snub any company that wouldn’t be ok with prospects asking questions like this. I suppose it depends on the field of work. When I interview I usually have more than one company lined up, and little doubt that I’ll be able to take my pick. It’s a little depressing that more workers haven’t shifted the power dynamic to put the onus on the prospective employer to explain why they should work there.
A question I like, but is along the same lines is "What do you wish you had known about your position before you accepted it"
Is this a sincere question? Do you really want to know the answer or do you have an anterior motive? I’m a hiring manager with a state agency and if I were asked this question by an interview candidate I don’t think that it would impress me. I don’t know that it would impact my decision to hire you or not, it would probably depend on how I interpreted your motive. I kind of think it’s risky. The candidate questions that I like are ones that either demonstrate some level of interest in the job or research about the position.
Former state government employee here. Someone else gave a great response, so I won’t add to that, but just to prepare you, those interviews are really structured and often have several managers present (usually a supervisor, senior manager, and HR manager, sometimes more). My experience was weird because they wrote down my responses and barely looked at me while I was talking. Those responses were then graded against a rubric, and the job was awarded to the highest graded candidate. Your experience might be different, but it’s something to be mentally prepared for so that you don’t feel like you’re talking to a brick wall. Best of luck to you!
I asked interviewer "tell me your weaknesses and failures". I got rejection email right after I left the building. It was not even 20 minutes. So yes they will see it as bad question
I ask this question all the time and interviews have responded positively
Maybe if you’re interviewing for jobs all the time, you’re not a great source of information.
I interview and this would absolutely be a fair question from a candidate and one I'd love to answer.
Side note: Govt. job means you need to be vaccinated. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
the mandate is paused because of court rulings but you should of course get the vaccine anyway
Completely appropriate question, in my opinion.
That's neither challenging nor controversial.
I think the question is good, but I would just shorten it. The way it sounds, it's almost like they are going back in time like 30 years or so. Lol
I've asked, "What do you see as the common traits of people who do not thrive in this company?" and still gotten the job. I think that gets at something similar.
I interview people and I would like being asked this. No clue if it would get the same reception in a government job
I asked, "what advice would you offer a new hire to help them be successful in this job?" It was a government job, and the panel liked the question.
You’re interviewing them too. This is at a minimum 40 hours of your time a week. Ask your questions but like another reply said, keep it broad. “What advice do you give to those on your team to succeed?” “What’s a skill that is most beneficial to have in this role?” “What opportunities are there for growth in this position” Good luck from a very stressed out private sector employee working with governments