At the end of a job interview, many people make a fatal mistake. Look at the below example and see if you can spot the error:
Interviewer: ‘That’s great, teamwork is something we really value at this organisation. It seems like we’re all done here…do you have any questions for us?’
Interviewee: ‘Nope, I think you’ve told me everything that I needed to hear.’
Did you spot the mistake? If so, well done. The big mistake that the interviewee made was failing to ask questions. This is a critical error. A failure to ask questions could indicate to the employer that:
- You aren’t particularly interested in the company.
- You don’t care about their opinion of you.
So, how can we fix this? In this blog, we’ll highlight 5 of the best questions to ask in a job interview, in order to impress your employer.
Questions to ask in a job interview
Do you have any reservations about my ability to do this job?
This is a bold question, but one that suggests that you are someone who is open to constructive criticism, and that you are willing to learn from those more experienced than you. It also provides you with the opportunity to dispel any misconceptions that your interviews might have about you, and restate why you are the perfect candidate for the job.
How would you describe the company culture?
Don’t forget that end-of-interview questions are not just for the benefit of making you look good, but for helping you to further understand the organisation. If you are going to be working somewhere full time, then your employer’s response should tell you a lot about the company values and the day to day activities of the role.
What are the future goals of the company? How do you see this department and my role factoring into those goals?
This is a great question, because it shows the company that a) you are ambitious and driven to succeed, b) you will be committed to the position and want to rise within the company. It also shows the organisation that you are interested in helping them to meet their targets and goals, instead of just serving your own interests.
I see that you recently won an award for…
Prior to the interview, you should have conducted significant research into the organisation. You should base at least 1 of your questions around this research. Having prior knowledge of the company will impress the employer and make it seem as if you are more interested in working for them. Your question doesn’t have to be based around an award, it can be anything from their products and services to their company history.
What is your favourite thing about working here?
Remember that an interview is not only a chance for you to put forward your best qualities, but for the company too. Even if you aren’t successful, companies want to promote themselves as much as possible. They’ll be aware that you could be applying for multiple positions, so they’ll want to persuade you to choose them. Interviewers love this question because it gives them a chance to promote a company that they are passionate about.
What not to ask in an interview
While it’s all well and good showing the company that you are enthusiastic, interested and committed to the role, there are also a couple of questions that you should avoid asking during the process:
How much does the job pay?
During an interview, salary is the elephant in the room. It’s generally considered poor etiquette to discuss salary unless the interviewer themselves brings it up. Avoid asking questions related to your wage, as you should be showing the interviewer that you are so in love with the job that you don’t care about the salary.
How much vacation time will I get?
This is another question that should be avoided at all costs. It will make you sound lazy, as if you are more interested in taking a holiday than working hard for the company.
What kind of company is this?
Next…
What’s the worst thing about working here?
You should go into every interview with the aim of showing the employer that you are positive and upbeat about working for them. Interviewers want to promote the company, not to dish the dirt on how bad it is to work there, and they certainly don’t want someone who is more interested in the negative aspects of the organisation than the positives.
For extra job interview questions, sample answers, body language tips and much more, please purchase our fantastic interview guide.
