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STUDENT SUCCESS
STUDENT SUCCESS
What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
By Deborah Acosta (Wall Street Journal)
Job interviews are a two-way street and, when done right, should be a conversation between the candidate and the interviewer. “You are interviewing and auditioning them for the job, too,” says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half, an HR consulting company. This kind of exchange is only possible if you have researched the employer and prepared thoughtful questions to understand how you can immediately provide value. Not only will you leave the interview better informed, but you also will have impressed the interviewer with your deep interest in the role and demonstrated your suitability for it.
Ask questions early in the interview. Be proactive with your questions about the job and what the employer is looking for in a candidate and ask these throughout the interview, weaving them into the conversation.
Ask questions that help you understand the role and how to succeed in it.
Aim to feel confident and comfortable enough that you could start the job tomorrow. “How do you measure success for someone in this role?” is a good question to get to that point, says Daniel Santos, the chief executive officer of career-counseling service Prepory. By understanding what an employer’s ideal candidate would achieve, you can present your past accomplishments in a relevant way. The answer also shows how you will be evaluated if you are offered and accept the job.
More questions about the job:
What are some of the day-to-day responsibilities of this job? Get a concrete sense of what the job actually is and whether you would want to do it.
What needs to be immediately addressed by the person you hire? The answer to this question will highlight what the pace will be when you first start and will give you an opportunity to follow up by explaining how you would meet those needs.
What are your expectations for this role during the first month, three months, six months, a year? What does success look like? Identify what the employer expects from you, so that when you begin, you can keep track of, meet or exceed the benchmarks for the role. You can share examples of similar achievements from your previous job experience.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges for someone in this role? Get a full picture of any unpleasant aspects of the job, so you are not surprised once you start.
What is the typical career path for someone in this role? This shows the interviewer your interest in growing with the organization and gives you an understanding of how the employer invests in its staff.
Conduct research on the employer—for example, by reviewing its website, social media channels and any articles written about it—to ensure that questions you ask are relevant and provide insights you wouldn’t be able to glean from Google alone.
Ask about challenges the employer has faced.
Find out about the culture. One aspect of a company that is hard to grasp through research is its culture.
How would you describe the culture of the organization? This is a straightforward way of getting an answer to the culture question and gives you the opening to talk about why and how you would thrive in that kind of environment.
How can I help move that culture forward in my job? Understand how your prospective team or department connects to the rest of the organization.
Can you tell me more about the team I will be working with, and how it works with the wider organization? This will give you a better picture of the different positions and people you will be working with day to day, allowing you to gauge how you might fit in with them.
Build a rapport with the interviewer. No matter who you are interviewing with, it is important to foster a relationship with them.
Questions about the interviewer:
What do you like most about working for this employer? Their answer will indicate what they value most and what working at the company is like.
How has your role evolved since you joined the company? Get a sense of their stature within the company as well as opportunities for career development.
If you could give someone one piece of advice about working here, what would it be? This shows you respect their input and may help you make the transition to the position smoother if it works out.
Now that you have the intel, make your final pitch. “End the interview on a high note by giving yourself one more opportunity to go back again and reinforce why you can make a difference in that particular job,” says Tessa White, a career navigation adviser and founder of The Job Doctor.
Questions to play up your strengths:
What needs to be completed in the next few months that would make the biggest difference to the department, and to this job? Finish the interview strong by detailing how you would help meet the goals to make that difference.
What would take this department to the next level within the company? Based on the answer, point back to results you have achieved in previous positions and how that experience would help you contribute to the department’s success.
What do you hope to see this department achieve in the next five years? After hearing their ideas, don’t hesitate to share some of your own.
Reiterate these points when you send your thank-you email after the interview. That is also your chance to confirm next steps.
Questions you shouldn’t ask.
What is the salary? As well as the interview may be going, experts say you should not be the first to bring up pay. Your main goal right now is to make the employer want you as the candidate most of all.
What are the employee benefits? It is usually appropriate to wait until you have been offered a role to negotiate or ask about benefits, unless the employer brings it up first.
What are the next steps in the process? This low-energy question is not the best way to end your interview. Save it for your thank-you email.
What does the company do? This shows you haven’t done your research.
Vascular Sonography Program Coming to Triton College this Fall
Vascular Sonography Program Coming to Triton College this Fall
By: Maryann Dibari
Triton College will begin its highly anticipated Vascular Sonography Program this fall, equipping students with the skills needed to diagnose and assess vascular conditions. Students will gain hands-on experience in a dynamic learning environment, guided by expert faculty and state-of-the-art campus facilities.
“Vascular sonographers – not to be confused with an echocardiographer – assess blood flow, detect blockages and evaluate conditions like deep vein thrombosis and arterial diseases using ultrasound technology,” said Heather Amwoza, chairperson for Triton’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.
Vascular sonographers generate images of a patient’s blood vessel and produce detailed reports to help physicians diagnose vascular conditions such as blood clots, plaque buildup or aneurysms, according to Amwoza. They also play a crucial role in diagnosing vascular conditions, including preventing complications like strokes and blood clots, and can guide vascular treatment plans.
Graduates with a vascular sonography degree can pursue careers in hospitals, outpatient clinics, imaging centers, physician offices and mobile diagnostic services. They may also participate in clinical research, contribute to studies on vascular diseases, and work in academic or research institutions.
“Vascular sonographers are in demand,” Amwoza said. “Students will easily find a job in this field after they graduate.”
Triton’s two semester, 15 credit hour Vascular Sonography Program will provide students with in-depth knowledge of arteries, including those in the brain and abdominal areas. However, labs must be completed in-person at Triton. Clinicals must be completed on-site at a facility that routinely performs vascular exams.
“We like to keep this program fast paced,” noted Amwoza.
Triton’s Vascular Sonography Program is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including two new ultrasound machines. These machines offer higher resolution in imaging, advanced doppler capabilities and updated software, enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and the overall learning experience.
“Triton program includes simulation labs, scanning platforms and indirect arterial equipment, typically referred to as the ‘Parks-Flo’ machine,” said Amwoza.
Applicants must be American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certified in a specialty (abdomen or OB/GYN) to apply.
Current Triton students in their final year of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program who are interested in vascular sonography do not need to apply for ARDMS certification, as they will be taking their certifications this spring.
To learn more about the Vascular Sonography Program, visit triton.edu/vascular.
Triton College to Launch New Industry-Recognized Certificates this Fall
Triton College to Launch New Industry-Recognized Certificates this Fall
By: Maryann Dibari
Triton College is expanding its workforce training opportunities this fall with the launch of new Heating and Air Conditioning (HAC) and Electric Vehicle (EV) programs, positioning itself at the forefront of industry-driven education. These programs will equip students with the in-demand skills and hands-on experience, preparing them for careers in two rapidly growing fields.
Both programs will feature state-of-the-art learning facilities (in Triton’s T Building), outfitted with industry-standard simulation technology and the latest professional equipment.
“Local high school administrators and employers have expressed a strong demand for HVAC and EV training programs,” said Triton College President Mary-Rita Moore. “High school students can enroll in their senior year, enabling them to graduate with both a high school diploma and a workforce certificate. This early career advantage is strengthened by a curriculum developed in collaboration with industry leaders to ensure graduates have the skills employers are seeking.”
President Moore added that Triton College offers a more cost-effective and accessible alternative to technical schools for district residents.
“Triton offers not only cutting-edge learning facilities, but also clear pathways for academic and career advancement, all supported by dedicated faculty,” she said.
Heating and Air Conditioning (HAC) Program
Students in the HAC program can earn two industry-recognized certificates:
∙ HVAC Installation Assistant Certificate (12 credit hours)
∙ HVAC Installation Technician Certificate (above certificate plus 12 credit hours)
These stackable certificates (short-term credentials that can be earned sequentially, allowing students to build skills and knowledge while working towards a degree) prepare students for careers in HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair, while also fostering essential workplace skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, time management and more.
The program also prepare students to earn their OSHA 10-HR card and EPA Section 608 Universal Certification—credentials that enhance employability.
Students who complete the program are qualified for careers as service technicians, system and maintenance technicians, specializing in diagnosing and repairing modern heating and cooling systems.
According to Lightcast, a labor analytics company, demand for HVAC professionals is projected to grow:
∙ 3.5% (2023 to 2028) in the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
∙ 5.4% in Illinois
∙ 7.5% nationally
Electric Vehicle Technology (EV)
Students in the EV program will complete 17 credit hours in electric parts, electric wiring, system operations, safety practices, and industry ethics. The program also offers stackable certificates in electrical installation and maintenance, with the option to continue toward a Mechatronics Degree, said Andrea Blaylock, Chair of Engineering Technology.
Like the HAC program, EV students will be prepared to earn their OSHA 10-HR card.
“Graduates of the program can work for any electric company,” said Blaylock. “They can work on the EV infrastructure side that brings online electric vehicle chargers. They can work for an EV car manufacturer, such as Tesla or Rivian.”
Blaylock noted that “utility companies and municipalities realize they don’t have technicians to maintain an EV charger or the EV infrastructure. It’s a specialized market. In Illinois, Triton is one of only six community colleges that are developing an EV charger infrastructure program. As the automotive industry undergoes its largest transformation in a century, Triton's EV program places students at the vanguard of this technological revolution.”
Triton College received the Rev Up EV Community College Initiative grant, awarded by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to support training programs that prepare individuals for careers in EV technology.
The demand for EV technicians has surged in recent years. According to Lightcast, job postings for EV-related roles at Toyota and Volvo increased between 2015 and 2022, while Ford’s demand rose from 11% to 44% of postings.
"These new programs are part of Triton's commitment to providing career-ready education that responds directly to industry needs,” said President Moore. “Students gain not just technical skills but a competitive edge in rapidly growing fields."
President Moore encouraged prospective students to register early, as interest in these high-demand programs is expected to be strong.
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