At the end of every interview, you will normally be given the opportunity to pose questions to the employer. If it is a fiercely contested vacancy, here’s your chance to edge ahead of the field. The responses you are given will also offer insight into whether or not a move to this company is in the best interests of your long-term career plan.
Q1 : What do you expect of the successful candidate in the first 90 days?
By asking this question, you demonstrate your commitment to hit the ground running from day one. It will also serve as a useful indication of the type of company you may be joining. If their expectations for those 90 days are unrealistic, what will the job look like a year down the line?
Q2 : What have your most successful hires brought to the company?
You may want to highlight your relevant skills and strengths again prior to asking this question. Another way of phrasing it would be to ask about the common traits of top performers within the company. You are subtly informing the employer of your determination to join this elite group.
Q3 : What does career progression look like within your company?
You are reminding the hiring manager of both your ambition and long-term commitment to the company if successful in the interview process. Give examples of where you’ve secured promotion in previous roles and the achievements which resulted in your upward career trajectory.
Q4. What does a typical working day/week look like?
The answer to this question will reveal a lot about company culture. If a typical working week consists of three nights away from home, back-to-back meetings, or long days in the office you will need to consider the effect on your work/life balance if you decide to join this employer.
Q5 : How long has this job been vacant?
If the job has been vacant for several months and turned down by three previous applicants, this is a clear red flag and you need to dig deeper. Are the employer’s expectations unrealistic? Is it a fault in the hiring process? Is the compensation inadequate for the responsibilities of the job? Don’t hesitate to ask for information on staff turnover. How does the company retain its talent?
Q6: Why do you work here?
This is a great question to ask your interviewer. What brought them to this company? How long have they been there? More importantly, what keeps them there? Anything less than an enthusiastic response is a cause for concern.
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