Asking questions at the end of your interview is equally as important as answering them throughout. Not only does this serve as a great opportunity to find out more about a company, but it also proves you’ve done your homework. Although you can, of course, follow up with your recruitment consultant (if you’re using one) to iron out any queries, ideally, you’d want to make the most of your time face to face with your future employer to assess whether it’s the right role for you. Whilst we couldn't possibly list out each and every question there is, the below should certainly help you on your way!
The Company
Asking a handful of tactful questions about the company you're interviewing with provides a huge window of opportunity to gain valuable insights into the culture of a company, team set-up, business approach and longer-term goals. This is your chance to find out if the business lives up to your expectations as a potential future employee, so don't waste it!
Questions to consider...
- What are the company’s three most important goals?
- What challenges will the company face in achieving these goals?
- Who does the company identify as their major competitors?
- What are the company’s strengths and weaknesses compared with (X) and (Y)
- What is the company’s current financial strength?
- What tends to attract candidates to come and work for the company?
- When top performers leave the company why do they leave and where do they usually go?
- Are there any misconceptions people have about the company?
- Is the company more of an early adopter of technology, a first mover, or is it content to first let other companies work the bugs out and then implement a more mature version of the technology?
- What is the company’s policy on attending seminars, workshops and other training opportunities?
About the Role
Equally as important as a cultural fit is a skill and personality match, both for yourself the candidate but also the employer. Asking crucial questions about the ins and outs of the role, what you'll be doing on a daily basis, project successes and failures and details of the team set up, can really help affirm whether or not the role is the right one for you.
- Can you tell me more about my day-to-day responsibilities?
- Is there a structured career path for the role?
- What types of people seem to excel in this role?
- As my direct report in this position, what are the three top priorities you would first like to see accomplished?
- What is the company’s plan for the next five years, and how does this department or division fit into that?
- What challenges might I encounter if I take on this position?
- Can you give me an idea of the typical day and workload and the special demands the job has?
- What are your major concerns that need to be immediately addressed in this job?
- What are the absolute essential skills and abilities you see as necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
- Could you describe for me the skills or background of a person who previously achieved success in this position?
- What specific skills from the person you hire would make your or the team's life easier?
- Can you please tell me a little bit about the people with whom I’ll be working most closely?
If you would like more advice on how to prepare for an interview or need support in finding your next permanent or contract role, get in touch at info@consortia.com or contact 0203 397 4565.
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