How to ask about growth opportunities during your IT job interview

Career AdviceWorking Life

More than 30 years ago, a breakthrough came in understanding our mental capacity for growth. The associated wording "growth mindset" is intended to indicate that skills and intelligence can be developed.

Since then, neuroscientists, educators, and therapists have applied this concept to a variety of contexts. Instead of focusing on the difficulties and struggles that a new challenge brings, it is better to look for opportunities that will challenge us.

If you're stuck in an IT job with no room for growth, now might be a good time to try something new. Finding a job that allows you to grow in a meaningful way will make you happier in the long run. Here are four actionable interview roadmaps to help you determine if a company has what you're looking for:

Discover new skills

If you're most interested in expanding your technical skills or your portfolio of experience, look for jobs that offer opportunities to develop your technical skills.

Questions to ask during an interview to determine if the position or company allows for this skill enhancement:

• What formal or informal mentoring opportunities does the company offer?
• What opportunities and paths for career and skills development does the company offer?
• If I am interested in learning a newly acquired skill, are there departments where I can be assigned someone with more experience?
• Does the company offer the opportunity to take courses and credits outside of work?

Climb up the ladder

If you're most interested in long-term growth in a company, look for companies that have a variety of the leadership roles you're interested in.

Questions to ask during an interview to assess the company's career potential:

• What avenues for career growth does the company offer?
• How are the qualifications defined for promotion opportunities?
• Can the company provide an example of a leadership role and what qualities and skills would be required for that role?
• How often are management positions subjected to an examination?

Discover new industry

If you're most interested in trying something new and different (be it a new industry or a different type of position), look for companies or positions where your background could offer a unique perspective.

If you're changing industries, it's important to connect with people who work in your target industry to get a better insight into day-to-day activities. They can also help you better understand industry needs that you could reference in a compelling cover letter and highlight why your unique background would be beneficial for this new industry or position.

Questions that must be asked during the interview in order to be able to assess opportunities and insights into future jobs.

• What improvements does the company hope to make in the industry?
• What are daily activities for different roles in the Dev/IT team?
• What are some of the biggest challenges at work?
• What are some of the biggest achievements the IT/DEV team has achieved?

Grow personally

If you're most interested in a career that offers more time for personal development outside of work, look for positions and IT/Dev teams that emphasize work-life balance. Work-life balance can take many forms. Ask yourself: Would you like to work productively from home? Would you like to come to the office at flexible times? Would you like to bring your dog to work?

Questions to ask during an interview to determine if the company offers the type of environment you're looking for:

• What is the work-life balance model in the company?
• Is it possible to work remotely all week?
• How is the office environment?
• Are flexible working hours or part-time work taken into account in the company?

Finding a job to grow with is not easy. Be willing to turn down opportunities and, in turn, allow yourself to be turned down by opportunities. You can only develop yourself if you leave your comfort zone while looking for a job.