Most interviews are laid out in a fairly traditional format, so towards the end, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions for them. If you’re nervous or your mind goes blank, it can feel easy to just say ‘no’, and get the interview wrapped up.
But in this case, no is the wrong answer!
You should always answer this question with a strong ‘Yes I do’, for two reasons. One, it gives you a final chance to get answers to any burning questions, and two, it shows that you’ve been paying attention during the interview and have thought the position through.
So What Should I Ask?
It’s always a good idea to have some questions in mind before you even walk into the interview. That way if you get to the end of the interview and genuinely don’t have any questions, you can pull out one of your prepared ones.
My advice is to steer clear of questions about pay or the remuneration package as a whole. These are questions you can ask your recruitment consultant, and asking the interviewer can make them think you’re purely money-motivated. There is a whole stage of the recruitment process for offers and negotiation, so leave those questions for then.
Instead, your questions should be thoughtful and insightful, asking genuinely important questions about what it’s like to work at the company. Remember, interviews are supposed to be a conversation, so once you get an answer, feel free to build on it and ask another. A few examples of questions you could ask include:
How would you describe the culture of the company?
This question gives you a good idea about how the company operates, what its values are, and whether you see yourself fitting in and aligning with the values and ethos of the company.
What do you like about working for the company?
People like talking about themselves, and their jobs. Yes, this will put the interviewer on the spot a bit, but by asking them what they like about their role and the company as a whole, you’ll get a really good inside perspective.
Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
The people you work with on a daily basis are important – you’ll probably spend more time with them than with some of your family! Asking this question gives you an idea of the structure, the dynamic and if you see yourself fitting in.
What does a typical day in the life of this role look like?
This is a great question, and not only does it show how invested you are in the role, but it helps you ensure the job is really right for you. The answer should provide a clear picture of what’s required from you, and what your life will be on a day-to-day basis.
Where do you see the company heading in the next 5 years?
This question shows the interviewer that you plan to stick around for the long term. It can also give you the scoop on any potential progression opportunities, exciting projects that are coming up, and how secure the job is.
If I were to get the job, how could I impress you within the first 6 months?
This is one of my favourite questions to ask at the end of the interview. It shows the interviewer that you plan to hit the ground running, and that you see yourself going above and beyond to get up to speed.
If you aren’t sure what questions to ask, or how to go about asking them, give me a call and we can chat through it together.