“Why do you want this job?”
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
“Why should we hire you?”
You’ve likely heard these questions during a job interview. Many interviewers use your responses to these questions to get an idea of what you offer to the company and if you’re a good fit for the position.
You’ll get the most out of the interview if you also ask intelligent questions. And one of the best you can ask is “How Long Did the Last Person Stay in This Role?”
Here’s why this simple question is so powerful.
It Opens Up a Conversation About the Role
Asking this question could spark a deeper conversation about the role.
You should extract as much information as possible about the position, the work environment, and the company before you make the final decision to work there.
Inquiring how long the previous person who held the role you’re interviewing for is a great start.
It May Reveal Turnover Patterns
Asking this question could help you learn more about the turnover rate and give you insights on how long you might stay with the company.
If the employee before you was fired or abruptly resigned, you may want to ask more questions to understand the circumstances. If their exit was within a span of a year or two of being hired, there could be a sign of deeper issues within the company’s structure that influenced their decision.
On the other hand, if the employee before you stayed with the position for several years or more, that could be a clue that the workers were comfortable in their role and the position is stable.
On top of how long the person held the job, you want to know why the person left. If the employee retired, was promoted or transferred to another department, it’s a good sign because the worker left on good terms. It also shows that there are career growth opportunities you can look forward to.
It can Give You Hints on the Company’s Culture
Asking this question can reveal the work environment, which can help you learn more about how employees are treated in the company.
When you ask how long someone has held a job, you’re probing for information about their overall satisfaction with the workplace.
It’s the equivalent of asking a co-worker “How long have you worked here?” Usually you’d follow up with questions of what they like about the technical aspects of the job, how they get along with fellow employees, what the management is like, and so on. Ask these things at your job interviews as well, before you even start your first day. It shows that you’re interested in the future and not just there for a job at the moment.
Hopefully, the responses to these questions indicate that the work environment is harmonious and well-managed. But if you get a response that may suggest otherwise, you may want to explore your options.
It Helps You Understand Expectations
Asking this question can help you clarify the expectations for the role.
If the employee before you left after a short tenure with the company, you should ask why.
How demanding were the responsibilities? How much did the job description and actual duties align? The responses to these questions may be a red flag that there are underlying issues with the management or the technical aspects of the job.
If the employee stayed with the company for a long stretch, then you can infer that the employee not only met expectations, but likely thrived in the role. That may give you the confidence that you can do the same with reasonable expectations.
Ask Questions, Make an Informed Decision
Interviews should be a conversation between you and the interviewer, not a bombardment of questions and answers. You want to feel comfortable in your new role. The only way to do that is by knowing what you’re getting yourself into. And you do that by asking questions. This question is a good start.
This article was written by Toire Fisher.
Toire Fisher is a copywriter and content writer based in Houston, Texas. He is currently pursuing his degree in Marketing.