Towards the end of most interviews, the interviewer will generally ask the interviewee if they have any questions that they would like to ask. The tables in a sense are turned. At this point, you know the end is in sight, and it can be easy to dismiss this with a quick, “No, none, thank you”, so eager are you to hurry things along so that you can finally exit the room.
However, no matter how well you may have performed during the main part of the interview itself, if you fail to ask any questions here , you will really be doing yourself a great disservice. As well as of course preparing answers for the questions you are likely to be asked, your interview preparation should also include making a list of questions that you yourself can ask the interviewer. In a bid to help you create that list, we have collated here our own….
Top Questions That You Should Ask at Interview.
Is there anything at all that you would like me to clarify or explain further? This will provide you with a opportunity to expand on or enhance a previously given answer and it also gives the interviewer an opportunity to address any doubts or confusion they may have about you or something you have said.
What are the day to day duties involved with the job / What would a typical day be like? The interviewer may have already given you a broad overview of the role, however asking this will give you the chance to find out in more specific detail the realities of doing the job. It also lets the interviewer know that you are keen on finding out more than the job advertisement or job description covers.
What is the most difficult or challenging aspect of the role? This will highlight to the interviewer that you don’t just want to find out about the nice aspects of the role – the salary, the perks etc, but that you want to find out about the downside – the difficult days, the pressure , in essence the harsh reality. Whilst most interviewers will still “sell” the role and the company in as favourable a light as possible, this question may bring to your attention some facts that you may otherwise never have found out. Unless you get the job of course!
What type of training do you offer? Asking this will give you a greater insight into how the company develops its’ people . You will find out if there is a definitive structured training programme or if it is simply done on an ad hoc basis. To the interviewer, asking this will show that you are interested and keen on further advancing your skills, thereby being an even greater asset to the company.
How do you review staff performance? This will let the interviewer know that you are aware that performance has to be measured and that you are fully aware that results are what they are looking for. It also lets you find out how and when reviews and appraisals take place and thereby lets you know how focused they are on individual staff performances.
Check out page 2 for more top questions…
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Here are some more to add to your great list!
Questions about checking the mutual ‘fit’ with an employer or job:
• What is the best thing about working here?
• What is the most challenging thing about working here/this role?
• What are the prospects for (further) progression or internal mobility?
• What is the predominant management or leadership style here?
• How do people have a voice in your organisation/this section?
• How would you describe the organisational/section culture?
• What excites you about the future here/in this section?
Questions about the job or role:
• How will you support or invest in me so I can be at my best?
• How much autonomy/responsibility/accountability will I have?
• What support is there for dealing with difficulties?
• If I got the job, where would you expect to see me in ‘X’ year’s time?
• What is the question you want me to ask right now?
Posted by David Shindler (@daShcoaching) | November 9, 2011, 1:39 pmHi there David, some really great points here, keep the input up, its great that you are helping
Posted by theemployable | November 9, 2011, 6:16 pmGreat lists and so important to have a couple of good questions at the end as it sets a positive end note (when the natural desire may be for the interviewee to run out of the building-resist the temptation!)
Important if at all possible to display some active listening skills. If you can replay back any comment that the interviewer has made during the course of the meeting and ask a relevant question on it it will display both strong listening skills and good information processing skills.
Remember that the interviewer will be trying to sell the organisation and role to you so getting them to expand on any points that they have made will encourage an active discussion and demonstrate that you can concentrate under pressure!!
Posted by Denise | November 9, 2011, 6:01 pmthank you Denise for your comments and very good points too
Posted by theemployable | November 9, 2011, 6:14 pmAlso – don’t forget to ask the interviewer/s about them personally. This is a great opportunity to get them to sell themselves to you as a potential employer. Remember that the interview is not just about the interviewer working out if you are right for them… you should also be asking yourself “is the interviewer some one that represents the business in the right light”. By asking questions such as “When did you join the business and do you remember what it was that attracted you to the position”. You could also ask if they had a chance to do a straw-poll of their team what would they say was the best thing about working for the company. If you are interviewing for a role that requires some sort of professional qualification, ask them what and when they studied – it could be they studied for exactly the same as you and at the same institution.
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Posted by bqdzmcdeds | July 24, 2012, 7:06 pmAs above i think that these represent a great agenda. Too often we may have read the interviewer and come to a decision but we do not test the situation which.#’ even if we are rejected must make them think and will have to be part of the feedback. In the current environment I know we cannot manipulate the interview in days long past but anything that makes them think or makes them have to answer a question helps us on the path to proactive process in what we know will be shallow waters. Thanks for the tips.
Posted by c46e | November 11, 2011, 8:09 pmI agree that these are all great and I have used many of them in interviews. I sometimes ask about their support for staff involved in charitable initiatives and the company’s own involvement as well.
Posted by unemployed | November 12, 2011, 4:49 pm