Your interview went like a dream. You handled your interrogator’s questions with enthusiasm and skill. Now comes the final hurdle: your interviewer smiles, turns to you and says, "I’m sure you must have loads of questions".
At this point, if you're at all serious about working for the company, you should have a whole quiz show of questions ready to fire off and turn this potential pitfall to your advantage.
But, just in case your mind goes blank, here are ten enquiries that will simultaneously demonstrate your suitability and also give you valuable information about the company to help you make your choice should you be made an offer.
1. How would you describe the work culture here?
You need to get a feeling for the company's atmosphere: you don’t want to find yourself unwittingly pitched into a dysfunctional workplace. This question can also indicate that you’re an adroit self-manager capable of getting the best out of yourself and others.
2. What are the most and least enjoyable aspects of the role?
If you can get an straightforward answer to this question, you’ll not only get a sense of the day-to-day demands of the job, but also show that you’re thinking with a clear brain about all aspects of the role.
3. What types of training opportunities does the company provide?
Do you want to be stuck doing the same job for the next decade, or do you want to progress up the career ladder? This classic question will prove your ambition and reveal whether there’s a genuine career path for you to follow.
4. Is there a chance for promotion in the future?
A close relative of the previous question. You will gain a sense of the importance the company places on helping staff with their career progression and whether they recruit from within, and they will understand your determination to make long-term progress.
5. How is performance measured and reviewed?
If you join, you want to deliver real results and also ensure your commitment and reliability are recognised and rewarded. You want to know that your efforts will be fairly measured and appreciated. Now's the time to find out what systems the company has in place to track performance.
6. What are the most important challenges that your company is facing?
It’s not just the job you’re interested in, but the structural and business challenges that the company faces. You’ve done your research into the company; here's your chance to hear their side of the story.
7. Am I suited to this position?
This question takes nerve. You’re trying to suggest from the outset that you’re open to constructive criticism and willing to learn from experience and feedback. It also gives you a chance to defend yourself from any misconceptions your interviewers may have gained and restate why you think you’re the right person for the job.
8. Why did the last person leave this role?
Another good way of finding out a little bit more about the company and its culture. Has this role been specifically created? Or was it vacated by a previous employee? And if so, why did they leave?
9. What is your preferred management style?
By getting them talking to about themselves, this question is a good way of getting your potential future employers onside and to get a sense of their bona fides.
10. Where do you see the business in five years time?
This question not only shows that you’re taking a strategic view of the company and its prospects, but it also enables you to turn the tables and ask them the dreaded “where do you see yourself after five years” question.
Further links:
- Interview checklist
- Top 5 interview tips
- Interview techniques
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