'Meet the team as part of a job interview'

[christinarossetti19]

I had an interview this week which I messed up (had forgotten how excruciating Zoom interviews are and began speaking at 100mph and waving my arms about!) and there was a call with three people that the successful applicant would be working closely with before the main interview.

I just asked them about what they were doing, and talked a bit about the platform that they use as it's the same one that I do, but wasn't really sure of the etiquette.

Would it be okay to say 'what are you looking for in a new colleague?' or 'what will the interviewers ask me?'

TIA

Would it be okay to say 'what are you looking for in a new colleague?' or 'what will the interviewers ask me?' I wouldn't. I'd ask them things like what do they enjoy about their job and what do they not enjoy.

I think it’s fine.

If you get to interview stage they want to know if you fit in.

We do these all the time. Do not ask about the up coming interview! You are not mining them for information, they are testing how well you would fit in with them.

The ones that shine for me are where they direct the conversation without dominating, e.g. by asking a question about culture or enjoyment of the role and they then listen properly, use our names, follow up with how they fit with something we said, and smoothly direct on to the next person. The bad ones are unprepared, leave awkward silences and clearly trying to ask questions where our answers are something they could pass off as thier own in the next interview.

Great, thanks.

Exactly this. @Hillrunning has it totally spot on.

We do this as well to try and gauge team fit. Don't be concerned or worries about it. Be friendly and polite and just take all the advice above.

We do this in my work. Local government office. The candidate has their interview then are taken to the team / office where they would be based and if anyone is free will say hello etc. The manager who has done the interview will leave them with the team and we will show them a few basic things, explain the role, find out about them. The manager will then get our opinion on them if we felt they will fit, be able to to do the role etc. Good Luck

I don't understand, haven't you already had the call?

I was in 'the team' recently, for an interview like this - first time I've experienced it.

The best one from my pov was the one who introduced themselves, asked a bit about what we do, and then said 'is there anything you want to know about me?' They gently steered the conversation, kept it chit chatty and light - family in the area, hobbies, stuff like that. Didn't take over, but made it comfortable to ask sort of 'dinner party' questions iykwim.

The others sort of let the convo die a bit, we didn't really feel comfortable asking 'interviewy' questions, conversation didn't flow and it was all a bit awkward and cringe 😬

I had the online meeting last week and did exactly what Granny and Hillrunning suggested above. Didn't talk about anything personal, but focused on the platform they were using, the teams plans for the year, a little bit about my experience etc. I didn't ask what they liked about working there as it felt too cringe, but I think I should have. That part of the interview went well actually, I was just wondering whether there was anything else that I could have done.

Really helpful - thanks all.