Six Job Interview Questions You Should Ask
Job interviews can be really daunting, but they also signify something exciting. You’ve managed to impress someone with your CV or formal letter you’ve applied with and it’s time for an interview. And if there’s one thing you can rely on in a job interviews it’s your potential future employer asking if you have any questions for them. In my first few interviews I used to hurry through this question. I’d rarely ever had something to ask, but there are job interview questions you should ask.
A job interview isn’t just to see if you’re a good fit for the company and the role, but it’s about the companies fit for you. Asking questions and speaking to the team can be a good way of gaining insight. You can find out more to see if you’d be happy in the role. Asking questions can also show your interest in the business and go in your favour.
It can be hard to think of questions when you’re put on the spot so think about them in advance and note them down.
Job interview questions you should ask
The first thing you should ask are any specific questions you have around the job description. This will help you gain a better understanding of what the role may look like. However thorough the job spec was chances are you’ll have something to elaborate on.
Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities?
You may find this question has already been answered by a great spec, or through chatting in your interview. But if not one of the first job interview questions you should ask is about the day-to-day of the role.
This is your chance to find out more about what you’d be expected to do daily. You’re likely to get a better idea of the split of the role and the things you may be doing more of.
Why is this position available?
It’s always a good idea to find out why the position you’ve applied for has become available. Pretty much every job I’ve gotten has been due to a new opening which is great as it shows the team is expanding and there’s likely to be company growth.
If the position is available as someone was promoted this can be a great sign that there’s career progression and growth. But if it’s because someone has left you may want to find out why they chose to leave.
What does success look like in this role?
Finding out the expectations from the get go can provide great insight, especially if you’re filling an existing position. We all want clear goals to know if we’re hitting those expectations. Finding out from your potential managers before you’re in a role will give you great insight.
Knowing how work achievements will be measured, and how you can nail the role can help you perform better in the workplace.
How is the team structured?
If you’ve not talked about the team you’ll be joining within the interview it’s useful to get more insight. Knowing the branches of the team and the rough responsibilities will give you a good idea of the dynamic.
Find out who you may work the most with. For example in my current role I work very closely with the Marketing Executives to help maximise on content. I also work with the designer a lot to create visuals.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The culture of a company is really important. So asking what the people interviewing you enjoy most can give you good insight. People is typically a go-to answer so always try to get insight other than this. We all want to work with great people but that won’t help if the company isn’t great to work for.
You may find out things that are a company priority if people talk about flexibility, or how they care for their employees.
What’s the next step for this role?
The recruiter may be the best person to give you this information, but asking your potential future employee shows you’re interested in the role. If you’re right at the start of the process it’s good to know how many interviews you may need to do. You can find out if there’s a task to complete. Especially as you move up in your career the interview process can take longer and longer each time.
Getting a rough timeframe will help set your expectations Are they looking to offer roles in the next week to fill a gap? Or do they have multiple other interviews to do before selecting who moves to the next stage?
Can you think of any other job interview questions you should ask?
17 responses to “Six Job Interview Questions You Should Ask”
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It has been years since I went to an interview, but being prepared and having questions to ask is important
I really loved all oif these. I’ve often seen guides on how to answer questions but not too many on what to ask.
I think these are great questions to ask! Interviews aren’t all about just what the interviewer has to say.
100%, it’s about both parties and making sure it’s a good fit both way x
These are amazing, All these questions are really great questions. I will save this.
By stressing the importance of preparing questions in advance, the post offers practical advice to make the most out of this opportunity. Asking questions not only demonstrates your genuine interest but can also provide valuable insights into the role and the company culture. In the end, it’s a reminder that job interviews are a chance for both parties to find the right fit, and thoughtful questions can play a pivotal role in that discovery.
Really important questions. I think we’re often so intimidated about being in the hot seat we often forget to ask the questions we may have for the employer. I think it’s important so you don’t go into any job field with confusion and it’s ok to ask! great suggestions.
So true, interviews can be intimidating so it’s always good to prepare so you don’t feel like you’re put on the spot x
Love that you’re listing questions to ask! So important to understand the job and the company!
These questions are not only beneficial for understanding the role but also for assessing the company’s culture and potential for growth.
These are some really good questions to ask. It is so important to understand the job and the company.
What does Success look like in this role feels like such a powerful question! I always struggle to have questions to ask back, so this is very helpful.
I know the first few times I had interviews I would be so blank for questions x
It has been forever for me since I have had to sit through an interview but this is a great resource for anyone that is in the same boat as myself. It is perfect to help get you prepared so that you can nail the interview and get the job!
These questions are very much straightforward and I am going to use some of them in my next interview!
These are all really important questions to ask, I think so many times we are told just to be grateful for an interview than we then sit there and ask nothing – but knowing why the position is available is important as is what the success in that role look like – really useful
Laura x
As I’ve moved further in my career I’ve realised how the balance of an interview needs to be fit both ways, as opposed to just if you’re a fit for the company and the role x