When you go to a job interview, you prepare for the questions they will ask you. Knowing the best answers to common interview questions can help you prepare for an interview, but what about when your potential employer opens up the floor to you at the end of an interview? Knowing what questions to ask at the end of an interview can make or break your chances of landing the job.
Why Should You Ask Questions At The End Of The Interview?
You want to show potential employers that you are interested in working for their company and in the position for which you applied. Interviewers are less likely to offer you the job if you do not leave a good impression on them.
What Topics Should You Cover In Your Questions?
When you are first getting interviewed for a job, you should focus on making a good impression with your interviewer. Ask the interviewer about themselves, or the company, or about the job you applied for. Wait to ask about the pay and benefits once you have received an offer.
5 Role-Specific Questions
Role-specific questions indicate to your potential employer that you want to know more about the role you’re up for and allows you to quell any doubts the employer may have about your resume or experience.
1. Who Would I Be Reporting To In This Role?
It is essential to know the order of people you should report to so you do not overstep within the hierarchy of authority. The last thing you want to do is go over the wrong person’s head.
2. How Do You Identify Success For This Position?
It is helpful to know if the company wants team leaders or if they care more about you meeting your own individual goals. It may also help you advance your career in the future.
3. Is There Anything I Have Said That Makes You Question My Abilities To Handle This Position?
This is a bold question, but it gives you the chance to determine what impression you have left on the interviewer. If they are hesitant at all, this is your chance to address their objections and reassure them why you are right for the job.
4. What Does A Typical Day In This Role Look Like?
This question shows the interviewer how interested you are in the position. Plus, it gives you a better idea of what the responsibilities and expectations are for the position.
5. Is This A New Role? If Not, Why Did The Last Person Leave?
This question shows the interviewer that you are analytical about why someone may have left or how the position may have evolved. It also gives you a better idea of how the business is growing.
5 Company Specific Questions
Company-specific questions let your potential employer know you’re interested in the workplace environment and how you’ll fit into it.
1. How Would You Describe The Work Environment?
This question tells you a lot about how the company views its employees, specifically, if they care about employee happiness or not.
2. Who Would You Consider Your Top Competitors And Why?
This question shows that you are interested in working for the company long-term and want to know more about their goals outside of the day-to-day work.
3. How Does Your Company Respond To Staff Conflicts?
This question gives you a better idea of how the company treats its staff. Plus, it shows the interviewer that you understand the importance of handling conflicts professionally.
4. How Do You Help Employees Grow Professionally?
Asking this question shows that you are interested in growing with the company and working for them long-term.
5. What Qualities Are Most Important To Succeed At This Company?
This question can help you decide if you want to work at this company and if their values align with yours.
5 “Engage Your Interviewer” Or “Next Steps” Questions
Forming a connection with your interviewer or asking about the next steps for employment helps you make an impression and get an idea of what comes next.
1. What’s Been Your Best Experience At This Company?
This is a great question to ask your interviewer because they have more insight about the company than you can research on your own.
2. When Do You Anticipate Making A Hiring Decision For This Role?
Asking this question lets the interviewer know how interested you are in the position. It also gives you a better idea of when you may hear back from the company. That way, you will know how to follow up or if you should move on.
3. What Are The Three Most Important Things You’d Like Me To Accomplish In The First Six To Twelve Months Of Working At This Company?
This question helps the interviewer visualize you working for the company. It also gives you a better idea of what their expectations for you would be.
4. Before You Got Into This Position, What Was Your Career Plan, And How Has It Changed Since Being Here?
This question is sure to get your interviewer talking about themself and gives you a chance to connect with them if you haven’t already.
5. Is There Anything Else You Think Is Important To Know About Working Here?
This is a great wrap-up question that gives your interviewer a chance to cover anything you might not have thought to ask.
Questions You Want To Avoid
Avoiding questions that could jeopardize your employment candidacy is just as important as asking the right questions. You need to know not only what to ask but also what not to ask.
1. How Quickly Do New Hires Get A Merit Review?
Asking this question gives the interviewer the impression that you care more about how you are evaluated on your work than on the quality of your work.
2. What Other Positions Do You See Me Qualified For At This Company?
This question lets the interviewer know you only care about getting your foot in the door, not about the specific role for which you applied. You don’t want to come off as someone who isn’t committed to the team.
3. What Is The Starting Salary Or Are There Any Benefits?
You should never ask about a job’s salary or benefits until after you have received an offer. If you ask about either during an interview, they will just think you are looking for a paycheck and probably not consider you any further.
4. How Quickly Are Employees Promoted?
This question gives the impression that you worry more about getting ahead than putting in the work.
5. Are The Hours Flexible?
This question may make your interviewer think you care more about your schedule than the companies. While many companies may be willing to work with your schedule, it is better to give the impression that you have open availability.
Be Prepared To Ace Your Next Interview
Interviews are an important stepping stone to getting a job offer. Make sure you ask questions at the end of your interview to find out more about the job you applied for and the company you hope to work for.