Your interview has gone well and it’s starting to finish up. You answered everything confidently, but just as you start to relax the interviewer asks the dreaded sentence – Do you have any questions?
Good recruiters will always ask this question as this is the candidate’s opportunity to stand out from the competition. The questions you choose to ask could set you apart from others applying for the same role.
Even if the recruiters have done an excellent job in explaining the company, the team, and the role, you should still have a question prepared. Asking no questions can make you look unprepared, or even worse, not interested in the role.
Asking questions demonstrates that you are keen to understand a part of the company in more detail, meaning that you are a true contender to work with those who have taken the time out to interview you.
At ASL, we know it can be hard to think of something on the spot, so we have created some questions that we think will help you to stand out from the crowd.
Learning more about the company:
What do you enjoy most about working here?
What is the most challenging thing about working here?
What opportunities do staff have here to progress their careers?
What three words would you use to describe working here?
Learning more about the role:
How long do you think it will take me to be up and running in this role?
What are the three best things about this role?
What three things are you looking for me to achieve in the first 100 days in this role?
What do you feel my biggest learning need is to achieve success in this role?
Learning more about your team and manager?
What kind of a leader would you describe yourself as?
How do you measure performance of individuals within your team?
Do you practice a ‘buddy’ type system for the first few weeks when someone new joins?
How large is the team and would you say they all get along?
How would you describe to work culture here?
You definitely shouldn’t ask every question on this list in an interview, so choosing a few to memorise beforehand will ensure you’re prepared when the dreaded question pops up at the end.
If you’re being interviewed for a senior role, or are moving to take that senior step on the career ladder, you could also ask about the company’s strategic plan for the next 12 months and where the role you are applying for fits in.
However, if you feel that all of these questions have been answered during your interview, you should instead ask about the recruitment process. Such questions could include what the next steps in the recruitment process are, how long the process may take, and if there is anything else the recruiter will need from you to make their decision.
These simple tips could make the difference between standing out or being turned away.
