Job Interviews: How to evaluate a company’s goals and objectives and your alignment.

Ask questions to get at the company’s short and long-term goals. Knowing a company's goals gives insight into its financial health, stability, and growth potential. Companies with clear, achievable long-term goals are generally more stable and offer better career growth opportunities.

Short-Term: These are typically focused on immediate results and may include objectives like increasing quarterly sales, launching new products, or improving customer service. Understanding these goals can give you insight into the company's current priorities and day-to-day operations.

• What are the company's top priorities for the next quarter?

•  Could you describe some of the projects or initiatives that this role would be directly involved in over the next few months?

•  How does the team measure success in the short-term, and what are the key performance indicators for this role?

•  Are there any new products or services being planned or launched soon? If so, how would this role contribute?

Long-Term: These are more strategic and future-oriented. They might involve goals like establishing a strong brand presence, becoming a market leader, diversifying product lines, or achieving sustainable business practices.

• What are the company's long-term goals, and how do you see this role contributing to those objectives?

•  How does the company plan to evolve over the next five years?

•  What strategies are in place for the company to become (or remain) a leader in its industry?

•  How does the company incorporate sustainability and corporate responsibility into its long-term planning?

•  What is the company's approach to employee growth and development in the context of its long-term goals?

•  Are there any plans for geographical expansion or international growth?

Then, evaluate alignment.

Assess how these goals align with your career aspirations. For example, if a company's short-term focus is aggressive sales growth but you’re more interested in long-term product development, there might be a misalignment.