
While you can never really know exactly what your working life will be like until you’re living it, there are a few questions you should always make sure you’ve asked an employer before you accept a role to help you decide if it’s really what you’re looking for.
What would a regular day look like?
Asking an employer this question will help you uncover more detail about the specifics of a role, and help you decide if you can realistically see yourself enjoying the position.
Will I receive any training or coaching?
This is particularly important if you’re taking your career in a new direction. For example, imagine you’ve spent most of your career working in an automotive dealership and are applying for a position in a John Deere agricultural dealership—given the different nature of the two types of dealerships, you would hope the employer is willing to provide some form of training to get you up to speed with the industry nuances to help you succeed in the role.
How would my performance be measured?
Asking this question will also give you the opportunity to assess whether the KPIs set by the dealership are realistically achievable. If the employer provides a vague response and can’t clearly specify what your KPIs will be, this could also be an indication that there may be some ambiguity about what will be expected of you in the role.
How much scope is there for progression?
While you’re on the topic, you may also want to find out if the dealership generally prefers to recruit internally or externally, as this can provide an indication of the likelihood of being able to secure a promotion in the future if you meet your performance expectations.
How would you describe the company culture?
Raising the topic of culture before you accept a role will help you gain some valuable insight into how the employer views the dealership, how well you’ll fit into the team, and what you might be able to bring to the table.