Questions to ask at an Interview
Written By: Nova Buchan
If you fail to ask questions of your interviewer, you can come across as passive or uninterested in the position. Remember, you need to know if the role is right for you. Here are some questions to help you find out…
Over the years, I’ve listened to my fair share of stories about interviews gone wrong, and what candidates wished they’d asked while face to face with their potential new employer.
Getting an interview is the hard part. Once you’re there, you need to make sure that this is a company you can see yourself working for. This is why, after they’ve finished interviewing you, you need to take advantage of your turn to find out more about what your potential employer can offer you.
An important part of the interview process is near its end, when the interviewer asks: “Do you have any questions?’’
This is an excellent opportunity for you to stand out from other candidates by showing that you’ve done your homework on the company and the position you’ve applied for. It’s the best way to determine if you’d be happy working for this employer and whether your career goals are aligned.
Here are 12 questions you could consider asking. I’d suggest remembering at least four questions you’d like answered.
- How would you describe the company culture?
- Will there be any training provided for this position to begin with, and any opportunities to upskill further on to remain current in the industry?
- What would be expected of me in the first month working here?
- Who would I be reporting to?
- Where does this position fit in the company structure?
- In this role, what have been the greatest challenges and successes experienced by past employees?
- What process will be used to evaluate my employee performance?
- Are there opportunities for professional development within the company?
- How has this position evolved over the years?
- Who are your major competitors, and what makes this company better than your competitor?
- What do you like most about working here?
- How long does the interview process usually take and when will I know if I’ve been successful?
I’d advise you not to mention your salary expectations unless you’ve been asked by the interviewer. Salary and benefits are usually only discussed once you’ve been offered the position, so there’ll be time to negotiate your salary if you’re considered for the position and invited back for a second interview.
Remember, the golden rule is that first impressions last, so stay confident. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, build a rapport with your potential employer, and obtain further information regarding the position and the company so that you can make the right decision, should you be offered the role.