Envision this…
It’s been a long, perhaps stressful, forty-five minutes. You’re sitting in front of a hiring manager (either in person or via video chat) and all you want to do is wrap up the interview and take a breather. Then—just as you think you’re about to be dismissed, the interviewer asks if you have any questions for them.
As overwhelmed as you might be feeling in that moment, it is imperative that you do not say no. Not only do many employers often see this as a sign that you’re not really interested in the job, but this may very well be your last chance to get a feel for what your new working life might look like. It’s an opportunity you can’t afford to pass up.
You’ve already come this far, so the last thing you want to do is mess up your chances by not being prepared with at least a few questions.
But you shouldn’t just ask any random thing that comes to mind. One study found that 47% of interviewers stated they would not offer a candidate the job if they didn’t have previous knowledge of the company. That’s why it’s important you demonstrate to the interviewer that you have researched the company/position beforehand, and only ask them to elaborate on specifics.
To help you prepare and get you thinking about the sorts of inquiries you might want addressed before accepting a job offer, we’ve curated a list of the best questions to ask at the end of your interview.
Twenty-Five Questions to Ask:
Questions about the job specifically…
- Is this a new position, or will I be taking the role over from someone else?
- Can you tell me what my typical day in the office will look like in this role?
- What are the most pressing projects that I will be taking on and do you have any examples you can show me?
- What skills/attributes do you think someone in this role must possess in order to be truly successful?
- What substantial work challenges might I face as someone in this position?
- Can you estimate how long it will be before I will start meeting with clients/be responsible for my own accounts/work with other departments, etc. (Fill in here with whatever job-related milestone is most important to you)
- Do you expect any of the core responsibilities of this position to change within the next year?
Question about the company…
- How does this role contribute to the company overall?
- Based on my research, the company’s core values are (fill in), how is the company working to uphold those values?
- What direction is the company headed in over the next few years?
- Is there a growth plan for the company, and if so, how would I personally be involved in the plan were I to take this position?
- Are there many opportunities for advancement in the company?
- What learning or professional development opportunities does the company offer its employees?
- How would you describe the working environment here? Are projects typically tackled in teams, or are we generally expected to work independently?
Questions about the team…
- Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?
- What is the office culture like? Does the company tend to hire for culture fit or culture add or both?
- Which departments will I be interacting with the most and who will be my direct superiors?
- What specific skills is the team missing that you expect someone in this role to fill?
- Do you expect to fill more roles on this team in the next year?
Question about work evaluation…
- What is the performance review process like and how often can I expect to be formally reviewed?
- How are promotions handled, and what can someone in a role such as this do to work towards being promoted?
Questions specific to you…
It’s important that in addition to asking some of the more formal questions listed above, you also address what workplace concerns you have as an individual. If you are interested in the possibility of remote work options, for example, or if you have scheduling conflicts that need to be addressed, now’s the time to speak up. Some other examples of personal questions might include:
- Is there in-house daycare at the office, or any programs offered to help offset the cost of private daycare?
- Will the company help pay my tuition if I choose to go back to school?
- What is the workplace set up like? Are there shared cubicles or would I have my own office?
- How is the company culture in regards to respecting work/life balance? Will I be expected to respond to work calls/emails during off-hours?
Final Thoughts…
Obviously, this advice is aimed at individuals who have already landed an interview, but for those reading this who are just starting their job search, or who haven’t been lucky enough to get a response yet, CyberCoders has offerings for you as well! Our expert recruiters are trained to help you find the perfect job, adequate compensation, and they will even set up interviews for you!
