As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is “Do you have any questions for us?” An interview is a two-way street. The interviewer asks questions to learn about you, while you prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the position, the company, and potential development within the company in order to make sure the position is a good fit for you. Asking questions is a good way to dig into the company culture and the specific day-to-day responsibilities of the job, so your first week of work won’t be a total surprise.
Why Should I Ask Questions?
Asking questions can give you the opportunity to further highlight some of your qualities, skills, and experience. Asking very specific questions related to the industry will allow you to impress your potential employer with your knowledge and interest in the field.
Your opportunity to ask questions usually comes at the end of the interview. Plan ahead and have some questions ready to ask. Remember, you aren’t simply trying to impress your future employer – you are also interviewing the company to assess whether this is a good fit for you.
You should prepare 2 -3 questions that demonstrate your interest in the position, your drive to excel in the role, and the fact that you’ve done some research. Not preparing any questions could make you seem unprepared or disinterested, so take the time to research the company and have some questions ready prior to the interview.
According to Forbes, here are smart questions you could ask at the end of your interview!
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What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate?
This is a great open-ended question that will have the interviewers open their hearts and state exactly what the employer is looking for. If the interviewers mention something you didn’t cover yet, now is your chance to related your own skill set to it.
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What is your biggest challenge and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem?
This question not only shows that you are immediately thinking about how you can help the team, it also encourages the interviewer to envision you working at the position.
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What have you enjoyed most about working here?
This question allows the interviewer to connect with you on a more personal level. The answer will also give you unique insight into how satisfied people are within the company. If the interviewer is struggling to come up with an answer to your question, it’s a big red flag.
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What constitutes success at this position and this company?
This question shows your interest in being successful there, and the answer will show you both how to get ahead and whether it is a good fit for you.
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Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications?
I love this question because it’s gutsy. Also, you’ll show that you’re confident in your skills and abilities.
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Do you offer continuing education and professional training?
This is a great positioning question, showing that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and ultimately growing with the employer.
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Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
Notice how the question is phrased; it assumes you will get the job. This question also tells you about the people you will interact with on a daily basis, so listen to the answer closely.
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What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
Do your research on the employer’s site beforehand and mention a new product or service it’s launching to demonstrate your knowledge and interest. The answer to the question will give you a good idea of where the employer is headed.
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Who previously held this position and where did he/she go?
This question will tell you whether that person was promoted or fired or if he/she quit or retired. This will provide a clue to whether there’s a chance for advancement, or the employee was unhappy and unsatisfied on this position.
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What is the next step in the process?
This is essentially the last question and you should definitely ask this one. It shows that you’re interested in moving forward in the process and invites the interviewer to tell you how many people are in the running for the position.
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