Your application has been submitted. Interviews are finished. Now you wait.
If you are lucky, you will receive a job offer. But, after receiving and accepting that offer from your soon-to-be new employer, have you ever asked the question: “Why was I hired?”
In my almost 20 years of working in HR, I don’t recall ever being asked that question. Think about what a smart question that is, though. Now that you have been hired, you should feel comfortable asking HR, your manager and even the interview team what it was about you that put you above your competition.
Was it your sincere and honest answers? Was it your personality and potential fit with the team? Was it your relevant experience? Was it your education? Was it the detail you provided in explaining your accomplishments? Was it your positive attitude? Was it your stellar communication skills?
This insight will help you to better understand the culture of the organization and what they value in order to be successful. This information will also help you in future interviews, whether internal or external. Knowing what characteristics and strengths you have that employers respect will only help you in the future. You will make sure to focus on these attributes going forward.
You should also ask about any red flags that were covered by the team. What was discussed as potential shortcomings? If your new culture is transparent, the team should be happy to offer this feedback so you can improve on your next interview.
So, the next time you start a new job, or if you recently started a new role, I’d suggest asking why you were hired. I’d also follow that up with asking for any advice on areas of improvement.
What do you think about these questions? Have you ever asked the hiring team for feedback?