Which sorts of questions should be asked? And are there some that should be avoided? I sought counsel from two experts on job interviews: Art Markman, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Bring Your Brain to Work, and John Lees, a career strategist and author based in the United Kingdom and author of How to Get a Job You Love. Here are their suggestions on how to approach this portion of the interview, as well as examples of questions they have seen to be effective.
How to Approach This Interview Section
Concentrate on two objectives
Consider this part of the interview your opportunity to examine the company and if you want to work there. According to Markman, one of your objectives should be to utilize these questions to assess whether this opportunity suits you.
Lees says that the interview is still going on and that you need to keep proving that you are the best person for the job. So, your second goal is to continue showing that you are a good fit for the situation. Lees suggests adding, “I do have a few questions, but before I ask them, can I say one thing?” This will give you a chance to say anything important about your qualifications for the job.
Make your questions unique
However, the interview isn’t done yet, and you still need to show that you’re the greatest candidate for the position, according to Lees. So, your secondary purpose is to continue to demonstrate your suitability for the particular offer. Lees advises saying something like, “I have a few questions, but may I say one thing before I ask?” This will allow you to emphasize any essential points regarding your suitability for the position.
Build off of your conversation
You should also reflect on what has occurred so far in the interview. In your questions, expand on what you and the interviewer have discussed. You may wish to follow up on a project they stated you’d be working on or a duty that wasn’t listed in the job description. The idea is to make this part of the interview seem like it is continuing the discussion.
Question Examples to Ask at the End of a Job Interview
Here is a list of types of questions to consider, along with examples of each that you may customise.
Questions about the specific job
1. What do you anticipate of me in this role?
2. What is the most significant goal I should set for myself in the first 90 days?
3. How is the performance evaluation procedure here? How often would I be officially evaluated?
4. Against what measures or objectives will my performance be measured?
5. What are the most pressing initiatives that I would undertake?
Questions about the team
6. What sorts of talents does the team need that you want to fill with a new hire?
7. With whom will I be collaborating the most closely? With which other departments or units will I be interacting?
8. Could you please enlighten me about my direct reports? What are their main strengths and weaknesses as a team?
Questions for your potential boss
9. How long have you been with the organization?
10. How long have you worked as a manager?
11. What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Questions about the company
12. How would you characterize the values of the company?
13. How has the firm evolved in recent years?
14. What are the company’s growth and development plans?
Questions about the culture
Lees advises taking replies to queries concerning business culture with a grain of salt. It’s rare that the interviewer would come out and say that the culture is hostile, if not poisonous. That is why questions like the one below might be useful. They learn about business culture without asking questions and may “help you discover any surprising characteristics about your possible new job,” according to Markman.
15. How do you usually train new employees?
16. What are the most common surprises for new workers when they start?
Questions about professional growth, career trajectories, and chances for the future
According to Markman, it is vital to understand what growth and professional development will entail on the job. You want to make sure that you can envision yourself not just in the post you’re looking for, but also in a career path at the company that interests you.
17. What possibilities for learning and growth will I have in this role?
18. How will the team I’ll be a member of advance professionally?
Closing questions
19. What am I not asking you that I should?
20. Is there anything more I can share that would be of assistance?
Questions to Avoid
Here are some examples of questions not to ask at the conclusion of an interview:
21. What is the beginning wage?
22. Would you mind telling me about your health insurance?
You shouldn’t miss this chance to ask questions. It gives you a chance to show what you can do and to see if this job is a good fit for you. You won’t ask each of these 22 questions. Pick the ones that are most relevant to you, your interests, and the task at hand. Then write them down, either on paper or on your phone, and go over them ahead of time to make sure you remember them. Also, be mindful of the interviewer’s time. If you planned on talking for an hour but just had five minutes left, focus on answering only two or three crucial questions. After receiving a job offer, you will naturally have extra time to ask any remaining questions.
