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Asking This One Question Increases Your Hiring Chances?
Reading Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Its Use, and Why It Is a Valuable Tool and the author says this:
Jones: In a recent article in Inc. Magazine by J.T. O’Donnell titled “Why Asking This 1 Question in a Job Interview Increases the Chances You'll Get Hired,” the author suggested this question:
"What's the company's biggest threat to success this year, and how will I help overcome it in this role?"
The reason was: “By asking this, you're allowing the employer to articulate how this position (and the person it!) can offer the biggest impact”.
Now, I actually really like the attitude behind this question.
It says to me, "I'm a driven person who wants to be a high-achiever here, and to achieve big things I want to (help) solve big problems."
However, it also comes across as presumptuous to me (due to saying how "will" I help) and feels like it's said too soon.
So, how I might approach it is like this:
You: "I’m looking to grow my skills and move into a more senior position within 2 years. To do that, I want to make sure my expectations are aligned with yours, and discuss how else I might be contributing to the team and company goals. So, what's the company's biggest threat to success this year, and is there any way I'd be able to help overcome it in this role?"
You could wait for the common interview question, "Is there anything else you want to know?"
But, I think this is an important enough discussion that it should be held closer to the beginning of the interaction because some hiring decision-makers are looking for someone who will keep the advertised position for a long period of time (not someone who will stay in their role for only two years and then leave for a better one).
Happy to read any thoughts and feedback.
