At the end of most job interviews the hiring manager will turn to you and ask “Do you have any questions?...”
Failing to prepare for this simple question can be detrimental, as it makes you look unprepared, uninterested and you run the risk of not having enough information about the role.
We often forget that job interviews should be seen as a two way process, a chance for candidates to also find out if the role and company is right for them, not just the other way around.
So here are a couple key questions we would recommend asking at the end of an interview…
- What are the day to day responsibilities of the role?
Whilst it may seem like a bit of an obvious question, knowing what an average day looks like can give you a real insight into what may be expected of you within the role.
- What are the biggest challenges in the role/ department?
This is a great way to prevent any nasty surprises down the road! It’s also a good opportunity for you to display how your skills and experience could help resolve any issues within the role or department.
- Is there opportunity for progression?
Asking about progression is a great way to show you are ambitious and willing to develop in a role. It can also provide an insight into where the role might take you and shows your potential employer that you're intending to stay in the company for a while.
- Specific questions about the role and company…
Asking specific questions about the role shows you’ve read and fully understood the job spec, whilst asking specific questions about the company shows you’ve done your research.
- What is the next step in the interviewing process?
To finish the interview nicely, we would recommend asking what the next step of the interviewing process is. This will give you an idea of the time frame they are working to and allow you to prepare yourself for what’s to come next.