Common Questions To Ask An Employer During An Interview
Prepare to respond with appropriate questions when an interviewer asks, Do you have any questions for me? You may want to take notes on the list of questions provided to show the interviewer you are interested in the job and corporate culture.
Here are some questions you can use when interviewers ask if you have any questions for them:
How Do You Ask Great Questions To The Interviewer
The key is to ask questions that show the interviewer or hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate. How do you do this? By asking questions that highlight that you have the skills and abilities they have laid out in the job description. Decide what questions youre going to ask based on your analysis of the job description.
What Are The Next Steps In The Job Process
Asking about the next steps shows you are optimistic and want the job. Hiring managers appreciate a good sense of self-esteem. Just don’t seem too eager, as over-confidence may translate as arrogance. Asking about the next steps also helps with determining the follow-up protocols and prevents you from worrying whether it’s too soon to check back in.
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Research The People Youre Interviewing With
Finally, make sure youre familiar with the people interviewing you. This means that you should research them as part of your pre-interview preparation.
Knowing who you will be interviewing with can give you a serious advantage during your job interview. This is because you have a higher chance of connecting with them you can play into the information you already have about them and ask relevant questions.
Due to this advantage, you have a better chance of starting a meaningful and in-depth conversation, which is exactly what an interview should be. You can ask them personal questions, for example:
Asking Questions About The Company
When you ask questions about the company, you establish your desire to be a part of the organization by getting an insight into the company’s values and culture. Ask the hiring manager what they like about the role, how they would describe the company’s culture, where they plan to be in the next three to five years, and what challenges they recently overcame. Asking a hiring manager to be open and honest about the organization gives you a chance to see if working there is suitable for your goals.
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‘do You Have Any Questions For Me’ In A Job Interview
It’s not uncommon to be asked ‘do you have any questions for me?’ by an interviewer near the end of a job interview. While this question seems simple, it plays an important role in how a hiring manager perceives you. Having a few quality questions prepared will ensure you’re ready for this question and can help set yourself apart from the competition. Here we explore how to answer the question ‘do you have any questions for me?’ in a job interview and provide several example questions you can respond with.
Questions Related To You As An Interviewee
You can also use this opportunity to understand the interviewer’s perception of you during the interview. With these questions, you may want to reaffirm your interest in the job and emphasise how your skills and qualifications align for this role. Here are some sample questions you could ask:
- Do you have any concerns about my skills or experience?
- Do you feel that I lack a particular skill set or area that is necessary for this position?
- Are there any qualifications that I do not meet in order to be eligible for this job?
- Is there anything about my skills and experience that you would like clarification on?
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How Would Your Boss Or Coworkers Describe You
This question is pretty much the same as what are your greatest strengths, the only difference is that it should be from the point of view from your boss or coworkers.
Here, you want to focus on your traits and achievements that youve previously been praised for .
There are at least 2 ways to answer this question:
1) Describe a specific situation where you excelled at work
Sample Answer
Theyd say Im super hard working. During my weekend-off, not one, but three of my coworkers got sick, and I had to spot for them.
The weekend was peak season in Nantucket, so the restaurant was getting seriously overwhelmed. All of a sudden, we went from being very prepared for the season, to complete panic.
Had to jump between serving, bussing, and line-cooking, but overall, managed to survive through the weekend successfully.
2) Quote a performance review
If youve previously worked in an office job, youre probably all too familiar with these.
Did your boss give you a glowing performance review? Make sure to mention it here!
Sample answer:
Well, in my last performance review in September, my boss described me as someone who takes initiative.
My position as a PR manager involves constantly keeping track of our clients brand reputation, and if something goes wrong, dealing with it as fast as possible.
In a lot of cases, you need to be very proactive – if you wait for your entire team to have a meeting on how to deal with the issue, it might already be too late.
Questions For The Interviewer
At the end of your interview, you may want to ask the interviewer some questions about their experience at the company. Here are some example questions to consider:
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How long have you been working here?
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What’s your favourite thing about working at this company?
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If you could change one thing about this company, what would it be?
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Do you plan on staying with this company long-term?
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Has your role changed since you’ve been here?
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What gets you the most excited about the company’s future?
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What Are Your Salary Requirements
This is always a tricky question. You dont want to lowball yourself, but at the same time, you dont want to be told No because you gave such an outrageous number.
When answering, keep these 3 things in mind:
- Whats the average salary for someone of your skill-level?
- How much does the company pay employees of your skill level? GlassDoor should be super helpful here.
- Finally, how much are you getting paid in your current company? In most cases, you can probably negotiate a pay bump from what youre currently getting.
The final number you tell them should incorporate all 3 of the points we just mentioned. Do you know for a fact that the company is doing well ? Youd quote a higher salary.
Is your skill-level above average? This should be reflected in your salary.
As a rule of thumb, you can figure out 2 numbers: whats the good scenario, and whats the best scenario?
Answer the interviewer with your best pay, and worst case scenario, theyll negotiate it down.
Or, you can also answer with a range, and chances are, theyll pick the number somewhere in the middle.
Possible answers:
As the big boss man
Instead, think realistically about what the next step after this position is, and whether it is possible to reach it within the company you are applying at.
Possible answers:
- Sample Answer 1:
Within the next 5 years, Id like to reach the position of a Senior Business Consultant. During the time period, I would like to accomplish the following:
- Sample Answer 2:
Where Do You See The Company In Five Years
This question serves two purposes. First, we all want stability, and the hiring manager’s answer will serve to tell you just how stable the company is. Who wants to work for an organization that will lay off team members in the near future? Asking this question also tells the interviewers you care about the company and want to build a lasting relationship. Hiring managers aim to hire long-term candidates who are willing to stick around for more than a couple of years.
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Can You Tell Me Exactly What I Would Be Expected To Do If I Were Hired For This Position
This question helps to make sure you know exactly what youre going to be doing and what is expected of you. This is a great way to make sure there are no nasty surprises waiting for you when you start. Having your job explicitly laid out for you not only allows you to know what youre signing up to do, but can also help you decide if you are not only willing to do the workbut also able!
How Do You Deal With Pressure Or Stressful Situations
If youre applying for a high-stress job, youre guaranteed to get asked this question.
The aim of this question is to see if youre the type of person whod survive working at the job, or fall through the cracks when the first signs of trouble show up.
Obviously, you wouldnt answer with the following
Well, I end up having a panic attack, crying, and running away from work.
Instead, answer as follows
- Say that yes, you do tend to perform well during stressful situations
- Give 1-2 examples of a situation where you had to perform well under pressure
Now, lets go through some real-life examples:
Possible answers:
- Sample Answer 1:
Though I cant particularly say I enjoy stressful situations, I AM very good at working under pressure.
During chaos and panic, I tend to take a step back, think, plan, and prioritize.
For example, there have been times Ive had to juggle multiple university projects and assignments at the same time. I would break up large assignments into small, individual tasks, and prioritize based on:
- How fast I could complete each task
- Figuring out which task would take the longest
- Which project had the earliest deadline
This way, my work became a lot more manageable. The most times I had to experience such situations, the better I performed overall.
- Sample Answer 2:
I actually prefer working under pressure. I look at it as a challenge – a situation where I really have to up my game to succeed.
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Interview Questions To Ask The Employer
Whilst it is important to tailor specific questions to the job role and company you are applying for, here are some general interview questions to help point you in the right direction:
- Why did you choose to work for this organisation and what do you enjoy most about working here?
- What does a typical working day or week look like here?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- Please could you tell me about the team I would be working with?
- How are employees recognised for their hard work?
- Do you have regular performance reviews? How often?
- Are employees involved in the structuring of their own KPIs at all?
- Is there opportunity for progression in this role?
- Would I be managing any of my own projects?
- Do you offer any training opportunities?
- What is the biggest challenge the company is currently facing?
- What is the first issue the individual you employ must address?
- What has been the organisation’s greatest accomplishment since you have been working with the company?
- What is the company’s main goal over the next five years?
- What do you consider to be the firm’s USP, most important assets or competitive edge?
- Is this a new position or an existing vacancy? If existing, why is there a vacancy available?
- Have you interviewed many other candidates?
- Is there another interview stage after this? And when can I expect to hear from you?
- Do you need any more information from me, or would you like to see any more examples of my work?
How Did You Hear About This Position
Although at first glance this might seem like a straightforward question, you should grab any opportunity you can to show your interest in the company.
Even if you havent been continuously refreshing the companys website for job listings, make it seem like you have . Show excitement and curiosity.
If someone inside the company told you about the position or recommended that you apply, definitely make sure to mention that.
Youll have a much better chance at getting hired if someone credible can vouch for your skills.
So, mention his/her name and his/her position inside the company and give their reasoning for inviting or recommending you to apply for the position. Tell the hiring managers what excites you about the job opportunity or what exactly caught your eye.
Possible answers for “How did you hear about this position?”:
- Sample answer 1:
Ive known about for a long time – Im a big fan of your products. I even own one of your latest phone models!
I love the companys passion for creating super intuitive, beautiful hardware, and I would love to be a part of it.
So, when I saw your job ad at , even though I wasnt actively looking for a job at the time, I couldnt help but apply!
- Sample answer 2:
I heard from Jim Doe, my old colleague and college friend, that was looking for a new sales director. He encouraged me to apply, saying that my experience managing a sales team at would be helpful for .
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Choosing The Best Questions To Ask During An Interview
Right questions?
Absolutely. You want to make sure the questions youre asking are targeted and fall into specific categories.
Like favorite animals and if they were stranded on an island, who would they want to be stranded with?
No. Serious job related questionsquestions that can ultimately make or break your desire to accept the job should it be offered.
Questions that cover every aspect of both the job and the companyand help to ensure that the decision you make to take or leave the position is a 100% educated one.
What if you are offered the job but dont realize until you start that its awful? Nobody wants to do a job they hate or work in a place where theyre miserableand the fastest way to make sure you end up in work hell is to NOT ask questions.
Nooo!
Remember, this is a lot like dating and you need to know what youre getting yourself into. So, put on your thinking cap and sharpen your pencilits time to get started.
What Questions Should You Ask
When it comes to asking questions when youre asked Do you have any questions for me in an interview, there are some interesting choices you can ask about.
For the sake of simplicity, lets divide the topics of questions you can ask. So, you have the following:
a. About the roled. About the next steps
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Use Your Linkedin Network
Its always wise to consult your network to get inside information. If you know someone who has worked for the company or is currently working there, approach them. Ask them about the company and the position to uncover inside details that you cannot find online.
Ask them, for instance, about their experience with the company and how their application process went.
Interview Question: ‘do You Have Any Questions’
If you’re preparing for an interview, you may consider preparing questions to ask the interviewer. After sharing valuable information about the role and the company, most interviewers ask, ‘Do you have any questions?’ to see if you’ve prepared for the interview. Asking them thoughtful questions relevant to the role is a great way to make a lasting impression and learn more about the opportunities if you get the job. In this article, we explore why it’s important to ask questions in a job interview, discuss how to prepare them and list example questions you can consider asking the hiring manager.
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Why Have You Switched Jobs So Many Times
If youve switched jobs in a very short period of time , the interviewer is bound to ask about it.
After all, job-hopping is one of the biggest red flags for HR managers.
True, you might have had a reasonable cause. Maybe the second company you got hired in just wasnt a good culture fit for you.
Well, youll have to communicate that.
Companies tend to be skeptical because of the following reasons
- You might be a job hopper. Some people tend to switch jobs the moment they get a better salary offer.
- You might be unqualified for the job and you quit because you couldnt deliver.
- You get bored easily and your solution to that is quitting.
So, your job here is to convince the interviewer that you dont belong to any of those 3 categories.
You need to make them realize that you will not jump ship a few months after getting hired just because some recruiter PMd you on LinkedIn with a better offer.
The best way to answer this question is to explain the reason you switched jobs. It could be one of the following:
- The company culture wasnt a good fit. This happens to the best of us – sometimes, the company just isnt the right one.
- The job description was misleading and you ended up doing something you either didnt enjoy, or were not qualified for.
- You learned that you simply didnt enjoy the job, and are not willing to try out something different. While this isnt the best potential answer, its honest and chances are, the HR manager will understand.
Possible answers:
