What questions should I be asking in an Interview?

When an interviewer asks if you have any questions at the end of an interview, the worst response you can give is “No, I have no questions”.

Asking questions shows that you are an interesting and interested candidate. Questions should be focussed on the company, the role or the sector (i.e. about them and not about you). Asking a question which has potential to lead onto a wider discussion is a positive as the flow of conversation helps build rapport between interviewer and candidate.

DO ASK:

• What does a typical day look like?
• What are you hoping the person in this role will achieve within the first 6 months/year?
• Can you tell me more about the type of clients the person in this role would be working with?
• I notice you also have a background in x – why did you decide to move into this field?
• Do you have any plans to develop new services or events in the next couple of years?
• What is the vision for the organisation in the next few years?
• What do you like most about working here?

DO NOT ASK:

• Anything related to salary
• What benefits will I get when I join? (parking space, insurance, free laptop, etc)
• Can I take time off during the school holidays?
• Can I work from home?

Special requests shouldn’t be made until an offer has been received; at that point you are the chosen candidate and in a better position to negotiate. Asking these things too soon might put the employer off. The interview is your chance to sell yourself to the company and let them know how you can help them not the other way around.

If you have an interview coming up, contact us and our expert advisers will help you prepare! Email [email protected] or call Talia on 020 8371 3280