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Amy Leighton

Questions to ask on your next job interview in order to avoid the “Great Regret”

Updated: Jun 23, 2023



Taking on a new job can make you feel excited and motivated.


However, according to a survey by The Muse, 72% of young professionals say they’ve started a new job and are either surprised or regretful, because their new position wasn’t what they expected.


New hires who are dissatisfied with their jobs may resign within the first few months, costing both the company and the employees themselves. This phenomenon – the “Shift Shock” by The Muse – refers to the feeling you get when you take a new job and discover that the role or company is nothing like you expected.


Companies are under pressure to fill positions quickly, while candidates can't get a sense of the company culture without first seeing it. As a result, it's more important than ever for job seekers to control the interview process and make sure that the position and organization are a good fit.


The best way for a jobseeker to protect itself from disappointment and regret is to ask the right questions. In this blog, we will discuss some tips, along with necessary questions to be asked during an interview, in order for you to avoid the “Great Regret”.


Don’t make rash decisions. Career decisions are costly. With this, don't quit unless you have another offer in hand, or the circumstance is really intolerable. It is considerably more difficult to start on a new job.


Properly structure your judgment. Receiving a job offer pumps up your ego by revealing that you are valuable and your skills are in high demand. It's important, however, to look past the compliments and consider what's best for you and your career in the long and short term. Before you explore your options, write down and assess your career goals. When making a career decision, it is critical that you keep your impartiality.


Ask questions. Not every promise made during the interview will be fulfilled. Some employers paint an overly rosy picture of life at their organization, which can lead to unrealistic expectations on the part of the jobseeker. You can prevent being misled by doing considerable research on the culture during interviews. Ask critical questions such as:

  • What is the work environment like?

  • What are the resources available to help with my professional growth?

  • How is the work-life balance in this role?

  • Are the job responsibilities as stated in the description?

  • How frequent does the senior team meet?

  • What does success in my position entail?


Keep an eye out for confirmation bias. This is the tendency to seek out information that confirms our current beliefs, such as identifying and believing information that validates our current views. It's critical to understand and overcome these biases before making a career decision.


Try an outside perspective. It's tough to determine whether an organization’s values coincide with your own without first speaking with current employees. Prior to accepting the position, try to network with the company’s existing employees. Get their perspective on what it's like on the inside.


With careful planning, a job seeker can avoid the Great Regret. Before you commit to a new role, come up with a clear criteria that is connected with your career goals, be aware of your expectations and biases, and ask the correct questions. To prevent making a costly error, talk about the reality of your job responsibilities.

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