Assessing them.
WHY IT MATTERS
An interview is mutual, and poor employers are expensive.
WHAT TO ASK ABOUT THE ROLE
What the first three months look like What the hardest part of the role is Why the position is open
WHY THAT LAST ONE
Growth and replacement mean different things.
WHAT TO ASK ABOUT THE WORK
How work is decided and prioritised How changes reach production What the on-call arrangement is How much of the work is maintenance
WHAT TO ASK ABOUT THE TEAM
How long people have been there How decisions are made How disagreements are resolved
WHAT TO ASK ABOUT GROWTH
How progression works What distinguishes levels How feedback is given
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
Hesitation Vague answers Inconsistency between interviewers
WHAT WARNING SIGNS SOUND LIKE
Describing the team as a family Emphasis on working hard rather than working well Nobody able to describe the process High turnover explained away
WHAT TO ASK LATE IN THE PROCESS
Practical matters: hours, location, equipment, expectations.
WHAT NOT TO ASK EARLY
Detailed compensation questions, unless they raise it.
WHAT TO ALWAYS ASK
What the next step is, and when.
