7 questions you should ask in a job interview as a person of color
By SheMade Digital
You walk into your job interview. You’re confident and ready. You answer every one of their questions with ease. Then comes the last question, the most dreaded question: “Do you have any questions for us?” What do you ask that can give you an idea about the position and your team but also leave an impression on your interviewers? Here are some ideas:
Is this a new position or one that you are rehiring for?
This question gives you an idea of how defined your role and responsibilities will be. Are you walking into a system that is already built or do you have to build it from scratch? If it’s a new role, it might take some time for people to get used to having you there. They might be opposed to any changes to a system they already have in place, even if it doesn't work.
Why did the last person leave this position? How long were they there?
Knowing the reason why someone left might tell you if this team and organization is one that is pleasant to work with or not. If the last person left within a year of taking the position without a good reason, that’s a red flag.
How does this organization/team champion diversity, equity and inclusion? What do you do to keep people of color at your organization and prevent turnover?
How your interviewers answer this question will tell you if DEI is even on their mind. If they’re doing a good job with diversity initiatives, they’ll have programs, events and specific projects to mention. If they’re hesitant or give a vague answer, you might want to do more research.
How do you measure success in this position? How do you support the growth of your employees?
What does their orientation process look like? How will they set you up for success? What resources and training will they offer in the long term? Will your manager be available for regular check-ins? What metrics or goals will your performance be evaluated against? What does the performance review look like? How often is it?
What are the current goals that the company is focused on, and how does this team work to support hitting those goals? What are the company’s plans for growth and development?
This question will give you a good idea of how the company works and what your role will be in its growth. If it is a company with great goals and the means to achieve them, you might grow along with the organization. If not, maybe this is not the place for you.
How much time off does this position have?
It’s nice to know this before getting hired so you can negotiate it along with your salary and compare it to the time off in other job offers you get. Work-life balance is important; does this organization value it?
Does this company have a 401k match? How much?
Most private organizations will have a 401k retirement program you can sign up for, many big companies offer a match on the amount you put in. If you’re applying to the public sector, you will have a PERS instead of a 401k. You can read more about the different types of retirement accounts.
