When going on a job interview, asking the right questions is almost as important as answering the interviewer’s questions! Asking insightful questions of your potential employer can assure them that you are the right candidate and, as your questions are usually near the end of the interview, can leave a positive lasting impression of you. In addition, asking the right questions during your interview will help you to gauge whether the job is the right fit for you. Remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!
“What are the skills and experience that would make a candidate successful in the role?” This question is helpful because you can make sure you have spoken about how you have those skills and experience.
“Do you have any concerns about my qualifications for the role?” This can be a risky one, and you may want to first consider if you actually want to hear the answer to this! If you decide to go for it, you will impress the potential employer, who will likely see this both as a brave question and a telling one; it shows you are confident in your abilities to be able to respond to any of their concerns.
“What have you enjoyed most about working here?” This helps give you an idea of the company’s culture and discover if it is the right fit for you. If the interviewer mentions such things as innovative and interesting co-workers, growth opportunities, a supportive environment, or working on rewarding projects, you can rest assured knowing it is likely a place that people enjoy working. If, however, the employer seems to struggle to answer, that is a red flag.
“How have you seen the company change in your time here? “Where do you see the company going?” Questions like this help give you an idea of the state of the company, and whether they are growing, staying stagnant, or just trying to desperately hang on!
“What would you imagine a successful first year would look like for this role?” Potential employers like to hear this question, as it shows you are already thinking about what you can do for them and how you can succeed.
“What are the next steps in the process?” This shows that you are interested and is the most important information for you at this point if you are in fact interested in the job!
This is where I always freeze. I think it is important to ask questions because it shows you are interested, but then I freeze up when they ask me!!
I always go into an interview with a short list of questions.. By the end of the interview most if not all of my questions have been answered already. So this is a good list to take some questions from.
This is something to think about prior to the interview. The interview process can be long and intimidating and when they ask if you have questions it is hard to think on the spot!
I also like to ask where is the person now who held the position prior to this time. The answer let’s me know if the position leads to upward mobility.
Agree with Karishma – think up questions before. Research the company and be ready with what you want to know.
I definitely try to be prepared when going on an interview. I have a list of questions, employers usually ask and try to have those answers ready. The employers also like when you have gone on their website to see what the company is all about prior to the interview.
I feel like some of the question listed above, may be too comfortable to ask. While showing a confidence in an interview is good, I feel there’s a line between confidence and having an ego. I feel like some questions that would be asked kind of make it seem like you have a chip on your shoulder.
Having questions prepared to ask during the interview is a great way to see more about the company. I find that oftentimes, there is this idea that the interviewer should ask all the questions and the candidate is just suppose to answer. In actuality, both the candidate and the company are being interviewed! As a candidate, asking questions like : “What have you enjoyed most about working here?” or ” How would you describe your team?” shows that you not only care about the role but about the people and the culture which you want to be a part of.
I agree with Kathy. Visiting the company’s website always helps me prepare for an interview. I even try to mention it during my interview to let the employer know that I’ve done my research. But these are some really great questions I’ve never thought to ask.
You know this is something that even if I prepare I get nervous about in an interview. I want to show interest and ask things, but then I freeze!
Asking what the interviewer most likes about the office or what the atmosphere is like is a great question. I’ve worked in some offices where even though I enjoyed the work, the atmosphere was a real morale killer. My last job was a real boy’s club and they were pretty awful with the way they talked about the women outside of work. You want to make sure to cover all of your bases because you are spending a large chunk of your time at work with your coworkers.
Feel out the vibe of the office, the people, the morale. See if everyone seems happy. It isn’t just about the work you are doing.
Remember that you are also interviewing the company to see if it is a fit for you. Applicants often forget this and mistakenly only focus on having the right answers for the interviewer.
It is important to ask questions because it shows you have a deeper interest in the company and the job. It is also a good way for you to find out more about the office culture, expectations, etc. I wouldn’t suggest immediately asking about things like vacation and taking days off before you even have the job, but definitely make an effort to dig deep and see if it is the right place and the right fit for you.
It always surprises me when I interview someone and they have nothing to ask about the company or the position. Definitely go in there prepared with something to ask!
I have been reading up on this all weekend as I have a big interview coming up tomorrow. The final part of the interview where they ask if you have questions is where I always seem to lose my train of thought. Interviews are something that make most people very nervous, especially me, so by the time we get to that part I just think – ok I want to get out of here now! I’m hoping that if I prepare questions and think about it beforehand it will help me remain calm and manage to extend the conversation.
I agree with what Dani said about you interviewing the company. Not everyone thinks about it like this, but you also want it to be the right fit.
I liked the reminder about me interviewing them too! It gets so nerve-wracking and it helps to relax when you look at it that way. These were all great questions to ask, not the cookie-cutter ones that everyone’s asking. This will really help me stand out. Thank you!!