Opinion

Key questions to ask at the end of an interview

When it comes to asking questions, interviews should be a two-way street. It is just as important for you to prepare some questions for your prospective employer so you can delve deeper into whether the role would be the right fit for you.

Specific questions about the position will probably come to mind as you research and prepare. Alongside this, our recruitment consultant Josh Walker has put together a selection of more general questions, designed to explore more about the overall culture and day-to-day working life. Keep several of these in mind in case some are covered during the course of the interview. Then you will still be prepared when asked if you have any questions and you won’t miss the chance to gain as much insight as possible.

  1. Who will I be working with on a daily basis?

Colleagues and managers play a significant role in how you feel about going to work every day. Ask more about the different roles within the team, how they fit together and where people are based. Ask if it would be possible to meet some of the colleagues you would be working most closely with.

  1. What are the most important qualities you are looking for?

The answer is likely to cover the qualities needed for the role itself, and also the shared values they are looking for in employees. You will be able to see if the things they pick out as top priorities are your own strongest qualities and what you would be hoping to bring to the role.

  1. Can you tell me more about the culture of the organisation?

Finding the right cultural fit is incredibly important. You may have all the skills and experience needed, but if you don’t share the organisation’s values then it is unlikely to be the job for you. While you can get a good sense of an organisation’s culture from its website, recruitment process and social media etc. it is always worth asking current employees to tell you more about it from their own perspective.

  1. What do think makes this a great place to work?

This is a great question to ask if there are several people interviewing you! Hopefully, they will all give you an answer and provide you with a variety of insights. Different things are important to different people, so getting a few perspectives means you are more likely to find something which resonates with you.

  1. How will this role play a part in achieving the organisation’s ambitions?

This will help you to find out more about the skills and qualities they are really looking for and also open up discussions about potential progression opportunities, rewards, and recognition. It will also highlight how much they are willing to share about the bigger business picture and the part everyone plays in achieving success

  1. Is there anything else which you think is important to know about working here?

Employees are an organisation’s greatest ambassador when it comes to promoting what it is really like to work there. Give them a chance to tell you even more about what it is like and what they think you should know.

  1. Is it possible to see where I would be working if I was to be successful?

You may have seen inside the building but have you seen where you would be each day? Whether it is a permanent desk or an area filled with agile workspaces, is it somewhere you could imagine yourself being? Is it a place where you feel you would be inspired to do great work?

  1. How is success recognised and celebrated within the organisation?

We all want to feel recognised for our hard work, and that doesn’t just come through salary and benefits. Asking this question will explore more about the culture and how you would be made to feel valued.

  1. What would you expect a typical day to be like for the person in this role?

Use this question to give the interviewer a chance to break down the job description and describe more about the daily roles and responsibilities. It will also give an insight into the working culture and the level of interaction with other team members and colleagues across the business. 

  1. How would you describe the leadership style in the organisation?

This question will cover more than just how you are likely to be managed on a day to day basis. An organisation’s culture spans from the top level down, so finding out more about the leadership style will also help you to understand more about the overall culture of the business.

For more advice on job interviews, or finding your next career step, contact your local Pure office.

 

 

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