Some job interview questions are asked so frequently they have become clichéd. For example, the “what is your greatest weakness?” interview question has become the stuff of legend. In this case, how you answer the question is often more important than the answer you give, unless of course your greatest weakness is being bone idle, or having an unwavering lack of respect for authority.

Another element of the job interview that is almost guaranteed to crop up is the “so, is there anything you’d like to ask us?” question. This will usually come right at the end of the interview, just when you’re breathing a sigh of relief that the experience is nearly over. This part of the interview can often catch a candidate off guard, which is why it’s so important to prepare some questions beforehand.

Job interviews are a two-way street

It might not feel like it, but a job interview is a two-way street. You need to make sure the job is right for you, so it’s essential to find out as much as you can about the employer’s culture, working practices and opportunities for progression.

Believe it or not, the questions YOU ask during a job interview are just as important as the answers you give, as they will often reveal your motivations and what is important to you. Asking plenty of questions can also help to build a dialogue with the interviewer to help you stand out from the crowd and let your personality shine through.

Key questions to ask

You don’t need to ask all of the below, but pick at least a couple of questions based on the information that’s most important to you…

1. What do you think the biggest challenges will be for the person in this role?

This question shows that you are direct and are not afraid to tackle a problem. It will also give you some insight into the most difficult parts of the role.

2. What’s the best thing about working for the company?

This type of question can help to build a rapport with the interviewer and create a closer personal bond. Their answer should also provide real insight into what working for the company will be like.

3. In what way is performance measured and reviewed?

As a candidate you want to show that you understand the importance of delivering real results. Asking this question will show you are objective-driven and will give you valuable insight into the employer’s expectations.

4. Is there scope for promotion in the future and what training opportunities do you offer?

Both of these questions show that you’re looking to commit to the role over the longer term and hope to be able advance your skills and add value to the organisation. It also demonstrates your ambition.

5. What skills or qualities are needed to succeed in this role?

This is a great question to ask as it not only shows your ability to listen, but it also gives you an opportunity to discuss any skills you have that were not addressed in the interview.

6. As my manager, what’s your approach and how do you like to work with your staff?

At some point in our working lives most of us will have had a manager from hell. Asking this question could give you some insight into how the manager likes to work, but it will also show a willingness to fit in with the company’s culture and meet the manager’s expectations.

Need any more help?

If you’re looking for a bilingual job on the English south coast, we can help. We work with some of the best employers in the region, finding rewarding, well-paid jobs for bilingual workers across a range of sectors. Take a look at our current vacancies, send us your CV or call 02392 987 765 to discuss your requirements with our team.

Love it or loathe it, technology is revolutionising almost every aspect of our lives, from hailing an Uber to popping the heating on before you’re even home. Finding a job is another part of our lives that has changed beyond recognition in the last few years.

Little more than a decade ago, one of the most effective ways to find a new job was to flick through the jobs section of your local newspaper or a trade magazine. Now, you can access thousands of opportunities more easily than ever before, searching by sector, salary and location.

This week, we’re going to look at 5 top tech tools you can use to leave no stone unturned and take your bilingual job search to the next level.

1. ChangeDetection.com

The ChangeDetection.com website isn’t much to look at, but don’t write it off just yet as it could become a powerful tool in your bilingual job search. ChangeDetection allows you to monitor any web page for changes and emails you as soon as an update is made.

How could that boost your job search you ask? Well, by setting ChangeDetection to monitor the jobs pages of companies you want to work for and you know to hire bilingual workers, you’ll be informed as soon as a change is made. That change could be an advertisement for you dream job.

2. EmailHunter

Even in this day and age, speculative enquiries to employers are still one tactic you can use to land your dream bilingual job. The only problem is knowing who to send your enquiry or application to. Scouring the company’s website for the right email address takes time and can be a fruitless task.

That’s where Email Hunter – now just Hunter – comes in. It allows you to search company domains for people’s email addresses so you can find the perfect individual to send your application to.

3. Glassdoor

Glassdoor is one of the more well-known names on this list. If you haven’t heard of Glassdoor, this site makes researching a company’s culture, working environment, salary structure a much easier task. If you want some insight on a potential employer before going to the interview, there’s no better tool than Glassdoor.

4. JobHero

The internet has made it easier to apply for multiple jobs than it has ever been before. But when you have 10 job applications out there in the ether, keeping track of exactly where you are with each, and just what jobs you have applied for, can be tricky.

JobHero solves that problem by providing a single dashboard you can use to manage your entire bilingual job search. You can save job opportunities from your browser, track your application progress and set reminders for application deadlines all in one place.

5. JobMa

With so many other applicants trying to secure your dream job, it can pay to go above and beyond the usual requirements to highlight your skills and make your application stand out. They say a picture paints a thousand words, so imagine how powerful a video could be?

JobMa is a simple platform that allows you to build a video resume online. Videos make it so much easier for hiring managers and recruiters to gauge your suitability for a job. Not only will you be able to explain your skills and experience in a more engaging way, but you can also demonstrate your creativity and give your personality a chance to shine.

Read to take your bilingual job search to the next level?

Looking for a bilingual job across the English South Coast? Take a look at our current vacancies, send us your CV or call 02392 987 765 to discuss your requirements with our team.