Interview Tips

You applied for a job opening and have an interview scheduled. This process helps us get to know you and helps you learn about our culture, our communities, and our organization.

Below are questions you can consider while sharing your achievements and the experience you could bring to Sequoia Living.

Asking an employer questions in a job interview is a must. Here are a few to consider:

Whether you think you’re fumbling or you’ve got the job, don’t say that you have no questions. Don’t pass up an opportunity to ask questions.

Demonstrate your commitment and attentiveness during the interview by customizing your questions to the position and company. Reinforce your background knowledge and experience to remind the interviewers what you bring to the role.

And, don’t wait until the end to ask questions. Ask questions when it makes sense throughout the interview process. What should you ask? Ask the question that you want to know the answer to. Ask clarifying questions about the job description or specific projects. You may want to know what a typical day looks like. Remember, don’t just ask questions that you think will impress the interviewer.

Questions to ask about the job:

• What are the most immediate projects/tasks that need to be addressed?
• What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate?
• What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
• What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
• Is this a new role, or will I be taking over for an employee who’s leaving?
• How does this position contribute to the company overall?

Questions about training and professional development:

• What does your onboarding process look like?
• What learning and professional development opportunities are available to your employees?
• Will there be opportunities for stretch assignments where I can learn and use new skills?
• Are there opportunities for advancement within the company?
• Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to?

Questions to ask about how your success will be evaluated: 

• What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job?
• What are the performance expectations of this position over the first 12 months?
• What is the performance review process? How often would I be formally reviewed?
• What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?

Interview the interviewer. What questions to ask:

• How long have you been with the company?
• Has your role changed since you’ve been here?
• Why did you come to this company?
• What’s your favorite part about working here?
• What’s one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?

Ask questions about the company: 

• What direction do you see the company heading in over the next few years?
• What can you tell me about your communities or plans for growth?
• How does the company ensure it’s upholding its values?
• What gets you most excited about the company’s future?

Questions to ask about the team:

• Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
• Who will I work with most closely?
• Who will I report to directly?
• What are the team’s biggest strengths and challenges?
• Do you expect to hire more people in this department in the next six months?
• Which other departments work most closely with this one, and how?

Ask about the culture: 

• How would you describe the work environment here—is the work typically more collaborative or more independent?
• Can you tell me about the last company event you did together?
• What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked?
• How has the company changed since you joined?
• How has the organization overcome challenges with remote work?
• How does the company make sure that remote and hybrid employees are given the same opportunities and standards as in-office employees?

Best questions to ask about the next steps:

• What are the next steps in the interview process?
• Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
• Can I answer any final questions for you?

What to avoid? Questions best not asked during an interview:

• What does Sequoia Living do exactly? (Or anything that shows you have not done your research.)
• When does my PTO kick in?
• Can I take every Monday off during football season?
• How “sensitive” are the people working here? Can they take a joke?
• When do I start? (Or anything that comes across as presumptuous.)