Questions To Ask At The End Of Every Job Interview
A common misconception about job interviews is that you’re there to be quizzed, and all you have to do is to answer questions that are thrown your way. In reality, it is an exchange of information between you and whoever’s interviewing you; it is a chance for you to get to know the business as much as it is a chance for them to get to know you.
This is an opportunity to find out the kind of people you’ll be working with, what the business is like on the inside, and the kind of things you should expect from the role. You have to prove that you can not only answer questions about your motivations, past experiences and aspirations, but also that you can engage with the interviewer about how you would fit perfectly within their company.
Despite this, it is common for people to freeze when they’re asked “do you have any questions for me?”, especially if it is their first-time interviewing. Here are a few questions that you should ask in every interview, and why:
“What can I expect from you in terms of development and support?”
It’s important to show interest in growing within the company and developing your skills and expertise. You want to covey that they’re not just hiring you at the level you’re already at, but also the potential future skills you will possess – show that you embrace the opportunity to learn your specialism and grow within your role, with a vision for your future in the company (being more profitable for the company than hiring a one trick pony).
You’ll want to express that you embrace the chance to use new strategies and processes, and don’t think your way is the only way. It will show your adaptability and eagerness to be a part of the team.
“In your experience, what challenges do you feel individuals at my level face?”
This illustrates that you are thinking laterally about not just the positives of the role, but the challenges it comes with too. In Recruitment, for example, the interview may answer with “prioritisation of tasks and time management” or “the unpredictability of having people as your product”. This gives you an opportunity to apply these things to previous experiences you have, and allows you to explain how this wouldn’t be as much of an obstacle for you as it would be for others.
If the challenge is time management, an example of how you can use this to your advantage is to say that, throughout university you held down a part-time job, proving you can manage your time well between working and completing your studies.
“In terms of skills and ability, what do you think the right person for the opportunity looks like?”
This is where you can compare your qualifications and characteristics to that of their perfect candidate. Always use examples for the things you claim to be, if you claim to be ambitious and driven, tell the interviewer what you’re driven by, and what steps you take to get closer to these goals. Remember, if you claim to be one thing on your CV, make sure you don’t go against this in your interview; the interviewer may have a copy of your profile in front of them and they will know you’re lying. Needless to say, people don’t like to hire liars.
“How will the role evolve for 6 months to a year? How much do the targets/expectations increase by?”
You have long term vision for the role, it shows interest in becoming a part of the company and not just the role in an immediate capacity, just because you need a job. It gets across that you are keen to improve and develop, and not just stay at the level at which you join (similar to question #2). You need to know what will be expected of you – whether the role will demand significantly more from you than you had expected, or conversely, if the role doesn’t progress as you would like.
If these questions are already discussed throughout the duration of your interview, then of course, do not ask them again at the end just to have something to ask. If you think you have covered all of the most important bases, then you should take this as your opportunity to close the interview. Questions like “when should I expect to hear from you?”, “what are your details so I can get in touch?”, and “is there any more information I can provide you with?” are all a good way to make sure the interview is closed on your terms. Read our full article on closing interviews here.
Hopefully now you’re fully equipped to leave an interview with no doubts that you aced it. If you are currently in the midst of a job search, and are interested in a role in recruitment, get in touch with us here at 5Q Consultancy for more expert guidance – we connect graduates, sales-people and recruiting professionals with top tier enterprises in London and across England. Contact one of experts on 0203 7008483, or email caitlin@5-q.co.uk to find out more.
