Questions to ask at an interview
Asking thoughtful and relevant questions during a job interview is essential as it not only helps you gather information but also demonstrates your interest, knowledge, and preparedness, while also providing an opportunity to showcase your skills and evaluate the job and company. It is a crucial part of the interview process and should not be overlooked.
Do you have any questions about the job?
At the end of an interview, you usually get the opportunity to ask your questions. You should always ask at least one question, to show your knowledge and interest in the job.
Here are some examples of questions you could ask…
Asking questions about the job and organisation can not only help you decide if it’s an excellent choice for you but also that you have done your research. Before the interview, make a list of questions that you want to know about the job.
At the end of the interview, ask any questions that you didn’t get an answer to during the interview.
The Basics
There are some basic questions you might want to ask to have the information you need. Typically, these points will have been made clear during the application process, but if not, don’t hesitate to ask:
When is the start date?
(e.g. ask employer “Could you please confirm the exact date I am expected to start?”)
What are the working hours?
(Per day/week. If relevant, is there any flexibility?)
What are the next steps in the process?
(e.g. Will there be a follow-up interview? When can you expect to hear if you have progressed?)
Here a few more good questions to ask…
Asking this question enables you to learn as much about the role as possible. The answer will provide insight into the skills and experience that are needed and will also help you decide on the role.
This is a good question because it shows a potential employer that you’re enthusiastic to make a positive contribution to the performance of the organisation.
The response will tell you how they want you to perform and will highlight which areas of the job you should focus on during the early weeks of employment.
Asking about further opportunities shows that you’re serious about the position and committed to a future with the organisation.
You don’t want to be stuck in a dead-end job so if you’re unsure of the typical career route for someone in this role, asking this question will help you to assess whether a long-term career with the organisation is a possibility is, or if you’d need to move on to gain further responsibility.
The response you receive will give you an insight into the organisation’s plans and its place in the market while giving you a general idea about job security. You may also get a heads-up on any major upcoming projects.
Asking about plans shows a real interest in the organisation and restates your commitment to the organisation.
Asking this question is a terrific way to assess the working environment of the organisation and it allows you to discover whether you’ll fit in.
From the recruiter’s response, you’ll learn if and how the organisation prioritises employee happiness, the benefits on offer and the work-life balance.
Let’s be honest, everybody loves to talk about themselves. This question enables you to build up a sense of camaraderie with your interviewer. This question requires a personal response, so you could learn a lot from their answer.
You’ll get an insider’s view of the organisation’s culture and working environment and you may even get to discover how your interviewer got their start in the organisation and how they progressed.
This will help you understand the way the team itself, the organisation’s structure and to whom you’ll report. These would be your work colleagues, so it’s worth trying to find out about the team dynamic and working methods.
Depending on the response, it may also give you the opportunity to mention any experience or success you’ve had working in similar teams – just to give the employer one final example of how well you’ll fit in if you get the job.
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Whoops! Questions to avoid during an interview
Most of the time, any questions you have will be well-received by the interviewers. They’ll show your interest and that you’re proactive about the job. However, some questions can give the wrong idea to the interviewer, even if your intentions are genuine.
For example, avoid asking about pay and benefits (such as holidays and bonuses, which look like you are only interested in the rewards of the job – save these until you know you have been successful) and What does your company do? / What would I do in this role? (Which may reflect your lack of research and hence desire for the position).
So, before the interview, make a list of questions that you want to know about the job. This means that at the end of the interview, ask any questions that you didn’t get an answer to during the interview.
Of course, it’s possible that all these questions will be covered during the interview. If that happens, don’t panic. If prompted, simply tell the interviewer that all the questions you had were dealt with.
Then ask if you can get in touch if you have any questions in the following days.