Business

Do You Have Any Questions?

Published

3 years ago

December 13, 2021

For 45 minutes, your interview has been going well—better than well! You quickly built rapport with your interviewer. You gave concise answers that were on point and clearly articulated the ROI to be expected from hiring you. You’re in the “interview zone.” You’re thinking, “I got this!”

Then your interviewer asks: “Do you have any questions?”

Even though this question will inevitably be asked, most candidates end up stumbling around for what to ask. You don’t want to be such a candidate.

Furthermore, you do not want to be a candidate who asks questions that are clearly “off the cuff.” (e.g., “When does the position start?”, “Are there opportunities for advancement?”, “What’s parking like around here?”)

Worst is the candidate who says they have no questions. This shows a lack of interest in the position.

It’s fair to say candidates are concerned about their questions being acceptable. They’re afraid of appearing picky or demanding or worry their interviewer will judge them negatively. Yes, it can be nerve-racking to diplomatically elicit the information you really want (e.g., “What are you really like as a manager?”, “Does everyone secretly hate it here?”), however, it’s in your best interest to make an informed decision.

While I can’t speak for all hiring managers, there’s no question you can’t ask me. I want the candidate to have all the information they need to decide whether the job is right for them. Feel free to ask me anything!

A candidate once asked me what my pet peeves are. I replied my top two are lateness and poor communication skills. The candidate responded by telling me they lived close by and were the editor of their college newspaper. (Information that didn’t appear on their resume.) I hired the person.

The only questions you shouldn’t ask are self-serving questions, such as, “What does the position pay?”, “How many vacation days will I get?”, “What’s your sick-day policy?” You want to strategically ask questions that show you’re serious about contributing to the organization. You’re not looking for a paycheck, you’re looking for a long-term employer/employee relationship.

Here are 10 questions you can ask to gain further insight into whether the job and company are a match for you and show your interviewer you’re not just looking for a paycheck.

“How is success measured for this position?”
“What are some of the challenges a person in this position can expect to face?”
“Please describe a typical day or week in the job?”
“How long did the previous person in the role hold the position?”
“What are you hoping I will accomplish in my first six months and in my first year?”
“Thinking back to people who’ve held this position, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?”
“How would you describe the culture here? What type of people tend to thrive, and what type seems to struggle?”
“Is there an employee performance review process? How often does that occur? Can you walk me through a typical one?”
“Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful or additional questions I can answer?”
“What’s your management style like? How will you manage me?”

I always ask question number 10. Several times, my interviewer’s answer determined I wouldn’t be a good fit.

Of course, you won’t be able to ask all 10 questions. Have these questions and any others you can think of, ready to ask. Tailor the above questions and others you may think of, so your questions don’t come across generic. For example, “Can you describe a typical day or week in the job?” should be, “Please describe a typical day or week for an account manager at Zorin Industries .”

Prepare at least 5 questions to ask your interviewer. Don’t be put off if your questions are answered throughout the interview. (Never ask a question that was answered during the interview.) There’s a good chance questions will occur to you during the interview. That’s great! You want the interview to be a conversation between peers. Don’t wait for your interviewer to ask if you have any questions. Ask clarifying questions as needed, making the interview conversational. This shows you’re paying attention, and to a degree, you’re controlling the conversation.

During your next interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Should you receive a job offer you want to make an informed decision whether to accept or not.

______________________________________________________________

Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

Business

Roots sees room for expansion in activewear, reports $5.2M Q2 loss and sales drop

Published

18 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Roots Corp. may have built its brand on all things comfy and cosy, but its CEO says activewear is now “really becoming a core part” of the brand.

The category, which at Roots spans leggings, tracksuits, sports bras and bike shorts, has seen such sustained double-digit growth that Meghan Roach plans to make it a key part of the business’ future.

“It’s an area … you will see us continue to expand upon,” she told analysts on a Friday call.

The Toronto-based retailer’s push into activewear has taken shape over many years and included several turns as the official designer and supplier of Team Canada’s Olympic uniform.

But consumers have had plenty of choice when it comes to workout gear and other apparel suited to their sporting needs. On top of the slew of athletic brands like Nike and Adidas, shoppers have also gravitated toward Lululemon Athletica Inc., Alo and Vuori, ramping up competition in the activewear category.

Roach feels Roots’ toehold in the category stems from the fit, feel and following its merchandise has cultivated.

“Our product really resonates with (shoppers) because you can wear it through multiple different use cases and occasions,” she said.

“We’ve been seeing customers come back again and again for some of these core products in our activewear collection.”

Her remarks came the same day as Roots revealed it lost $5.2 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $5.3 million in the same quarter last year.

The company said the second-quarter loss amounted to 13 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 3, the same as a year earlier.

In presenting the results, Roach reminded analysts that the first half of the year is usually “seasonally small,” representing just 30 per cent of the company’s annual sales.

Sales for the second quarter totalled $47.7 million, down from $49.4 million in the same quarter last year.

The move lower came as direct-to-consumer sales amounted to $36.4 million, down from $37.1 million a year earlier, as comparable sales edged down 0.2 per cent.

The numbers reflect the fact that Roots continued to grapple with inventory challenges in the company’s Cooper fleece line that first cropped up in its previous quarter.

Roots recently began to use artificial intelligence to assist with daily inventory replenishments and said more tools helping with allocation will go live in the next quarter.

Beyond that time period, the company intends to keep exploring AI and renovate more of its stores.

It will also re-evaluate its design ranks.

Roots announced Friday that chief product officer Karuna Scheinfeld has stepped down.

Rather than fill the role, the company plans to hire senior level design talent with international experience in the outdoor and activewear sectors who will take on tasks previously done by the chief product officer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:ROOT)

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Business

Talks on today over HandyDART strike affecting vulnerable people in Metro Vancouver

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

Anne Joseph

VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, are set to resume today as a strike that has stopped most services drags into a second week.

No timeline has been set for the length of the negotiations, but Joe McCann, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they are willing to stay there as long as it takes, even if talks drag on all night.

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people unable to navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last Tuesday, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

Hundreds of drivers rallied outside TransLink’s head office earlier this week, calling for the transportation provider to intervene in the dispute with Transdev, which was contracted to oversee HandyDART service.

Transdev said earlier this week that it will provide a reply to the union’s latest proposal on Thursday.

A statement from the company said it “strongly believes” that their employees deserve fair wages, and that a fair contract “must balance the needs of their employees, clients and taxpayers.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

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Business

Transat AT reports $39.9M Q3 loss compared with $57.3M profit a year earlier

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

Anne Joseph

MONTREAL – Travel company Transat AT Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year earlier as its revenue edged lower.

The parent company of Air Transat says it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31.

The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.

Revenue in what was the company’s third quarter totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.

On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.

Transat chief executive Annick Guérard says demand for leisure travel remains healthy, as evidenced by higher traffic, but consumers are increasingly price conscious given the current economic uncertainty.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:TRZ)

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