What questions should I ask in an interview?
20th Feb, 2019
You’ve made it the whole way through the interview, somewhat breezed your way through the questions you’ve covered in your job interview preparation (and bluffed your way through the rest), and then the moment comes: do you have any questions?
These five words at first glance may seem very simple, and so what if you don’t have any questions? It matters more than you think because this is still an element of the interview that you’re judged on.
Your question will demonstrate your intelligence as well as your interest in the job, so it needs to be solid and not just ‘how good is the bonus?’
It can be challenging trying to think of a question on the spot, so like all elements of the job seeking process, preparation is everything.
But fear not. We’re here to get the ball rolling with examples of the best questions to ask after a job interview.
What questions should I ask in an interview?
Progression
Asking about potential career progression is a fantastic discussion point. It shows you intend to work hard, hit targets and stay at the company for a substantial amount of time.
You could ask:
- How can I progress from this role?
- What opportunities are there for career progression?
- Do you have any examples of how employees have advanced in the company?
- What will you expect me to achieve in my first three months?
Press
If your potential employer has been in the news or had any recent publicity, even on a local basis, it’s good to ask for details as it proves you’ve thoroughly researched the company – not just via their website.
Job interview questions around publicity could include:
- I’ve seen you were in the news for [topic], how did that opportunity come about?
- Can you tell me how you plan to address [topic] that was reported in [publication]?
- It’s great to see you were in the news for [topic]. What are the next steps?
- I saw a comment on Facebook saying [details]. How do you respond to situations like this?
Day-to-day
When you’re at an interview, it’s just as important for you to get a feel of the job role and business as it is for them to learn about you. If you haven’t yet discussed your workday, now’s your chance to ask.
Try asking questions such as:
- How will my typical day look?
- Who will I be reporting to and liaising with?
- What are the working hours?
- Are there opportunities for overtime?
About the company
You also want to ensure your potential employer shares similar values to you so that you know you’ll be comfortable working with them. You can ask about their management styles and the social scene - even the number of people who work there.
Good interview questions to ask about the workplace include:
- What are your company’s core values?
- Do you hold any social events for the staff working here?
- What is the best part about working here and what should I be prepared for?
- How are your teams managed?
- How is hard work rewarded?
What next?
If your mind goes blank in the question section of your interview, and you can’t remember any of the above, just ask what happens next!
All you need to say is:
- When can I expect to hear from you?
- If I’m successful, when is my start date likely to be?
Avoid
Now that you’ve learnt the ‘dos’ it’s time to learn the ‘don’ts’!
Whatever you do, especially if it’s your first interview at this company, avoid asking:
- Yes/no questions
- About holiday and sickness allowance
- Questions about salary or bonuses (unless you’re negotiating in the final stages of the job process)
- Personal questions about your interviewer
If you’d like more help on how to prepare for a job interview, the Your World Pro Team would be more than happy to assist. Give them a call on 020 7220 0815 or email [email protected]
Good luck!