11 Smart Questions To Ask After An Interview.

Job interviews are not only an opportunity for your possible future employer to get to know you, they are also an opportunity for you to learn more about the people and the organization you are hoping to be working for in the future.

Usually, at the end of every interview there is a time for you to ask questions related to the job you are applying for. They might not tell you this, but they are always interested in hearing your questions! It is a way for them to see how interested you really are in the position they have available, and depending on the quality of your questions you will leave an impression (positive or negative) on how your interviewers remember you.

Here are examples of questions you can ask at the end of an interview to impress your interviewers.

1. What do you personally like the most about working for this organization?

Most people like talking about themselves and interviewers are no exception. Your question will let your interviewer(s) know that you are interested in hearing first-hand what the experience is like to work for the organization.

2. What do you find most challenging about working for this organization?

Similar to the one above, but related directly to the business and to the work.

3. How would you describe your organization's culture?

A question that can give you a clearer idea of what it is like to be working on a daily basis as part of a collective and the values they live up to.

4. What have past employees done to succeed in this position?

This is a great question if you want to project as a high achiever who is always looking for ways to get what they need in order to succeed and achieve positive results.

5. What does a typical day look like in this role?

Employers often present the best aspects of the opportunity they are looking to fill, but the reality of your situation is that you also need to know what an average day will require of you.

6. How do you help your staff grow professionally?

This question will show that you are interested in staying and growing your expertise in the role. It is also a good opportunity to hear how the organization invests in its staff.

7. How do you evaluate success in this role?

This question will help you get an idea of what is expected from you.

8. How is your organization addressing marketplace challenges?

This question tackles the problems and challenges that the organization might face regarding competition, technological advances, and/or global trends.

9. Is this a new position? If not, why did the previous person leave?

This might be a bit uncomfortable to ask, but it will show that you are not afraid to ask tough questions. Knowing if the person before you was fired, promoted or quit is valuable information to know before you decide to dive right into the position.

10. What new initiatives or changes are on the horizon for the organization?

Change is a constant. Mergers, new funding, funding cuts, new leadership, etc. it is always good to know who are you working for and what changes could affect or benefit you.

11. For this opportunity, what percentage of the time is work done collaboratively/as part of a team effort versus working independently on a task or project?

This is a crucial question for some people, because depending on whether you feel more comfortable working in a team or on your own, this question will allow you to have a better idea on how the workload will be proportioned.

All these questions should be customized based on the job you’re applying for, the company’s focus, and what you want or need to know. But now you have a solid list of starter questions to help you make sure you know what you’re signing up for, before accepting an offer of employment. 

If you are still feeling like you need more help when preparing for an interview, check out our Interview preparation service, our Career Coaches will guide and support you to be the best that you can be at an interview.