By Julie Black.
Towards the end of a job interview you’ll usually get a chance to ask questions. It’s important to be prepared and to take advantage of this opportunity. Not only will you be able to showcase your preparation but it’s also your chance to gain an insight into the workplace you may be entering.
It is also commonplace that by the 2nd or 3rd interview that you get to speak to an employee of the company - so getting their take on things can be insightful.
Try asking genuine questions about information that is not readily available. For example, don’t ask about things that are on the organisation’s website. If you do, you’ll show the employer that you haven’t done your research.
Remember, some questions you may have prepared may have already been answered during the interview. You’ll need to keep track of those as you don’t want to repeat and appear as if you haven’t listened.
Whilst there are literally hundreds of questions you could ask, some more pertinent ones are listed below:
Background
· Is this a new position?
· If not what did the previous employee go on to do?
Type of work
· What challenges do you see for the role in the next 12 months?
· If travel is part of the role, how much is expected?
Training
· Will the organisation support on-going study or training?
· Will there be opportunities for increased responsibility and experiences?
· How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? Who does this?
The People
· Could you describe the company’s management and leadership style and the type of employee who fits well with it?
· How much contact will I have with management?
· How big is the team I will work with?
The Organisation
· I find it interesting that you are expanding into _____. Could you tell me more about that?
· What are the major business challenges likely to be faced in the next 12 months?
· What are the organisation’s strengths and weaknesses compared to its competitors?
· Could you explain your organisational structure?
· What particular computer equipment and software do you use?
Summary questions
· If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?
· What more can I tell you about my qualifications and experience?
· When can I expect to hear from you?
· Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
Being prepared with a handful of good quality questions can demonstrate your ability and enthusiasm about the job.
Julie's original article can be found here.