Getting an interview is the hard part. Once you’re there, you need to make sure that this is a company you can see yourself working for. Therefore, after they’ve finished interviewing you, you need to take advantage of your turn to find out more about what your potential employer can offer you.
When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”
Your answer better be “YES!”
This is an excellent opportunity for you to stand out from other candidates by showing that you’ve done your homework on the company and the position you’ve applied for. You will get a sense if you would like to work for these people and this company.
Questions you could consider asking.
Some of these questions will be answered during the course of the interview. Don’t ask a question that’s already been answered.
- How would you describe the company culture?
- Will there be any training provided for this position to begin with, and any opportunities to upskill further on to remain current in the industry?
- What would be expected of me in the first month working here?
- Who would I be reporting to?
- Where do you see the company in five years?
- In this role, what have been the greatest challenges and successes experienced by past employees?
- Are there opportunities for professional development within the company?
- How has this position evolved over the years?
- What are the most challenging aspects of the job?
- Your major competitors are X, Y & Z. What makes this company better than your competitors?
- What do you like most about working here?
- What is the single biggest challenge facing the company/department today?
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
It’s advisable not to raise your salary expectations unless you’ve been asked by the interviewer. Salary and benefits are usually only discussed once you’ve been offered the position, so there’ll be time to negotiate your salary.
Remember, the golden rule is that first impressions last, so stay confident. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, build a rapport with your potential employer, and obtain further information regarding the position and the company so that you can make the right decision, should you be offered the role.