Interviewing your Interviewer

Apr 05, 2022

Fantastic news. You’ve secured an interview for the job of your dreams. But is it? You’ll get the opportunity (hopefully) to meet several of the team you will be working with during the meeting, which will give you the chance to ask some great questions. But... what should you ask?



Let’s think about what is important to you and what you’d need to know in order to say YES should you be offered the role after the interview:

  • Day to day responsibilities – what will you actually be doing vs. what it says in a job description. Job descriptions can be written in very formal and technical language and don’t always paint a clear picture of what a role really entails.


  • Training and development – chances are, you are making a move to progress your career, so it is essential to understand what training and induction you’ll receive and what opportunities there will be within the role to enhance your career further as you progress.


  • Culture of the organisation – we spend a lot of time at work, so it is essential to gauge whether an organisation’s values and culture will fit our own.


  • Team fit – different teams have different ways of working and ensuring success, so you’ll want to find out if your potential new team has a working style and approach that will compliment your own and bring out the best in you.


  • Management style and approach – we rely on our managers to coach, motivate, support, lead and inspire us, and they can have a significant impact on how successful we are in our roles. It’s good to know if your potential boss has a relaxed, hands-off approach or likes to micromanage every task.


  • Benefits of working in the organisation – is there flexibility to work from home or other appealing benefits that would clinch the deal for you.


  • Salary – this is a big one and something many of us find hard to discuss!

This is all vital information you’ll need to know to decide if the role and organisation are the right fit for you and great topics to consider going into an interview. Hiring managers will appreciate that you are thinking about the position in this level of detail and are engaged and interested and keen to know more


Hiring Managers are great advocates for their organisations and love telling people about their teams. But how do you ask questions and get the information you need without making things uncomfortable?



During interviews, there is generally question time at the end of an interview. This is your opportunity to roll out your notes and ask in a polite but inquisitive manner. To get clarity on the areas above, you could ask:

  • Please describe a typical working day in this role? What tasks would I carry out/be involved in/responsible for?


  • What kind of initial training and induction would I receive? In terms of ongoing training and development, do you have a budget for this each year, and how is it used?


  • What do you enjoy most about working at Company X? What about Company X makes you most proud to be an employee?


  • How does the team work together? Is it a collaborative environment where people will help each other? What other teams do you work with/engage with, and how do you work together?


  • How would you describe your own management style?



  • What benefits does the organisation offer? Does the team have flexibility in terms of work location or hours?

When it comes to salary – now, this is a tricky one – and definitely not one you should openly discuss, especially in a panel interview where some of the team may be involved. Thankfully, if you’re working with an agency like Recruit I.T., we will take care of all this information and negotiation if necessary.


Asking your interviewer and the panel questions will not only allow you to find out more about the organisation and role, but just as importantly – you will be able to show your personality and abilities further.



So do your own research on the role, be prepared, and most of all – try and relax. Nerves are OK during an interview – it means you care about your interview and the outcome. Try and find some common ground with the interviewers – weather, holidays, movies etc. And good luck!

12 May, 2024
So, you’re about to embark on a new adventure in the tech world. Whether you’re diving into the buzzing scene of New Zealand or any other tech hub, starting with a new company can be both thrilling and daunting. But fret not, we’ve got your back with some practical tips to help you navigate those early days with ease, no matter where you land.
27 Mar, 2024
Entering the job market after many years can be a daunting task, especially in the fast-paced world of IT and Technology. With advancements happening at breakneck speed, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed when suddenly thrown into starting your job search journey anew. However, there are simple steps you can take to get you started, ease the transition, and help you in landing your new dream job. At Recruit I.T., we've seen many experienced candidates successfully navigate this path, and we're here to share some valuable advice with you. 1. Revamp Your CV Your CV is your ticket to securing interviews, so it is crucial to ensure it’s up-to-date and tailored to the roles you are applying for. If yours is still in typewritten format and doesn’t include what you’ve been up to for the last 10 years, now is the time to get it updated. Ensure it includes your most recent and relevant roles, delete your high school work experience, and highlight your relevant experience, skills, and achievements prominently, focusing on how they align with the requirements of the positions you're targeting. If you are unsure where to start, collaborating with a specialised recruiter like Recruit I.T. can provide valuable insights and guidance in crafting a compelling resume. 2. Leverage Your Network Don't underestimate the power of networking, especially in the tight-knit IT and Technology community in New Zealand. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, clients, and industry connections to let them know you're actively seeking opportunities. Attend industry events, meetups, and conferences to expand your network further. Many job opportunities are filled through referrals, so make sure to stay connected and keep your network informed about your job search. 3. Explore Both General and Specialised Job Boards You may have found your first job via a newspaper classified, but times have changed! While general online job boards like Seek and Trade Me, as well as LinkedIn Jobs are a good starting point, consider exploring specialised job boards focused specifically on IT and Technology roles, and register with a relevant recruitment agency like Recruit I.T. as specialised platforms like our website job board cater to this niche market, offering a curated selection of job openings tailored to your expertise. By targeting your search on these platforms, you increase your chances of finding roles that align with your skills and career goals. 4. Prepare for Interviews Brush up on your interview skills to ensure you make a strong impression during the selection process. Research the company and the role thoroughly, familiarising yourself with STAR and behavioural-based interview techniques (there is lots of info online!), practising common interview questions, and preparing examples that highlight your abilities and experiences. Additionally, familiarise yourself with the latest industry trends and developments to demonstrate your awareness and relevance in the field. It also won’t hurt to review and brush up on your verbal and numerical reasoning skills – once again, there are lots of free resources online to help you practise these types of tests/exercises. 5. Update Your Skills The IT and Technology landscape evolves rapidly, with new technologies and methodologies emerging regularly. Whilst you’ve developed your abilities on the job, do take the time to update your skills and knowledge with formal certifications and training to remain competitive in the market. Consider enrolling in courses, attending workshops, or pursuing certifications relevant to your field. Not only does this demonstrate your commitment to growth, but it also enhances your attractiveness to potential employers. 6. Be Flexible and Open-Minded The job market can be unpredictable, so it's essential to remain flexible and open-minded throughout your job search. Be willing to consider different roles, industries, or a short-term contract opportunity that may not align precisely with your previous experience. Embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth, as they can lead to unexpected career advancements and personal fulfilment. 7. Seek Guidance from Experts Navigating the job market alone can be overwhelming, especially after being out of the game for some time. In many cases, if your position has been made redundant, your organisation may provide outplacement services to offer help with CV crafting, interview prep, job search, practise testing and in some instances will also provide free access to training platforms. Consider seeking guidance from experienced specialised recruiters like our Recruit I.T. consultants. Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of the IT and Technology industries, along with extensive networks and resources to support your job search journey. From resume optimisation to interview preparation, we can provide valuable assistance every step of the way. Utilise all the free and skilled help you can access! 8. Embrace Your Experience and Life Skills It's easy to feel apprehensive about re-entering the job market after a long tenure with a single company or a prolonged absence, but remember to embrace the wealth of experience and life skills you've accumulated over the years. Your past successes, whether in your career or personal life, have equipped you with valuable insights, problem-solving abilities, and resilience that will be sought-after and appreciated by employers. While you may not have a recent job application or job hunt history, your track-record speaks volumes about your capabilities and adaptability. Have confidence in your abilities, and don't underestimate the value you bring to the table. Highlight your accomplishments and transferable skills during interviews, showcasing how they make you an asset to any organisation. By owning your experience and life skills, you can instill trust and credibility in potential employers, setting yourself apart from other candidates in the competitive job market. Embarking on a job search journey after many years can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. By revamping your resume, leveraging your network, exploring job boards, preparing for interviews, updating your skills, remaining flexible, seeking guidance from experts, and remaining confident in your experience and skills, you can increase your chances of success in the competitive New Zealand job market. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and with the right support and resources, you will find your next opportunity. Our team are always happy to shout the coffee and provide some expert friendly and constructive advice to help you get started on your job hunt, so reach out anytime!
By Kaleb Leeming 11 Mar, 2024
Field at Present: From a Director’s Perspective Generally, we have seen a slow start to the year, continuing the trend we saw in the latter half of 2023. Despite feedback from the market that suggested a stronger bounce back, we have yet to see this in the market at present. There are pockets of activity - primarily back-fills to existing hires. As we gear towards the backend of the government’s 100-day plan, we should see the firming up of new projects and programmes, which will likely require capability to deliver these pieces of work. Unfortunately, we are still seeing organisations across a range of industries forced into making rounds of redundancies and other operational cuts or changes to help them operate more leanly during challenging times, and we’ve even seen this in the recruitment industry itself.
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