13 questions to ask in an interview to really stand out
An interview is your chance to make a great impression on a potential employer and improve your chances of nabbing the job, you’ll want to leave them by asking the right questions.
At the end of almost every interview, you’ll have the opportunity to take the floor and ask your own questions. It’s always a good idea to go armed with two or three questions that are both relevant and thought-provoking, as doing so will show that you’re interested in more than just getting the job. It’ll show that you want to understand the company and its culture, are invested in learning more about the company and role, and are keen to know what it could offer you in terms of career development opportunities and it’ll also show that you’ve done your research.
And do remember that an interview is a two-way street! The employer will be evaluating your skills and suitability for the role, but it’s also your chance to assess if the company and role align with your goals. Asking the right questions is the perfect way to help you with this.
So, next time you head to an interview, why not try asking some of these questions?
Role Questions
Can you tell me what a typical day as a [position] looks like?
This question will give you an insight into the daily responsibilities and will help you gain a better understanding of the job. You’ll also get a better idea of the skills needed for the role, which will help you determine if it fits with what you’re searching for.
What are the challenges of this role?
Asking this will enable the interviewer to go through the potential difficulties of the role and will allow you to assess if you’re ready to handle them! It’ll also show that you’re not afraid of a challenge and take a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Is there a career path with this role?
This shows that you’re looking at the future and looking to join a company where you can grow and develop. Not only that, but the answer should tell you if the company you’re interviewing with promotes from within and places importance on its people’s careers and development.
What are your expectations of this role?
This question will help you know what you’re signing up for. Asking about expectations can provide insight into how the company views the position and how they determine whether an employee has fulfilled their duties.
What qualities would the perfect person have for this role?
This one is all about the softer skills, the ones less talked about in the job description. It’ll give you an insight into the culture and the qualities that others who were successful in the post had. Then, you can use that information to see if it aligns with you.
Company Questions
Can you tell me about the company culture?
This question shows that you want to find the cultural fit that’s right for you and place importance on the environment you’re in. The interviewer should give you a sense of the environment, values and attitudes and an overall insight as to the people that work there, helping you determine if it’s the place for you.
Why do you like working here?
Opening the floor to the interviewer to talk about their own personal circumstance and thoughts is always a positive, and a chance to build on your relationship. The answer is likely going to be rose-tinted but by asking the question you’re showing a genuine interest in the interviewer’s experience and from it, will get a better insight into the culture and what it’s like to work there.
How does the company live up to its values?
This demonstrates that you’ve put some research in and are keen to understand the actions and practices the company put in place to reflect them. It will also help you assess if the company values align with your own and will give you an overview of the inner workings.
What are the company’s plans for the next 12 months?
This question shows that you’re interested in the company’s growth and development, and have a desire to be a part of that. For you, it’ll let you know the direction the company is taking and its goals, allowing you to assess if it aligns with your aspirations.
What are the current challenges faced by the company?
Not only will this provide a more comprehensive understanding of the company’s strengths and weaknesses, but it’ll also give you the opportunity to consider ways you could contribute and support the company to overcome these challenges. It also demonstrates your interest in the company’s current situation and your desire to contribute to its success.
Final Questions
Is there anything that I can clarify about my skills and experience?
This is a great question that will allow the interviewer to address points they may not have understood or ask questions they may have missed. It’ll also allow you to elaborate on your experience and reaffirm why you’re the one for the job.
What are the next steps?
This is one that you’ll always want to ask as it’s really helpful to know what the hiring process looks like and what you can expect in the coming days or weeks. It’ll also enable you to prepare, for example, if you have another offer on the table and need to make a decision.
Is there anything we haven’t covered?
This is a way to leave an interview with no uncertainty and a really strong question to close on. It’ll give you and the interviewer the opportunity to elaborate on any points that were shirked over.
As we’ve said before, an interview is a two-way street. The company wants to get an impression of your personality and work style as much as you want to get an idea of what’s in store for you at the company. Make sure that you’re going into your interviews prepared.
Ask the questions that are really going to get to the heart of the company and the role, the ones that are going to provide you with the insights that you need, the ones that are going to give you the information that’s not on the adverts and the ones that are going to help you make your decision. Think of the interview not just as a chance to convince the interviewer that you’re right for the role, but also as a chance to find out how it’s right for you.
