So you have gotten to the end of the interview, the interviewer looks up after jotting down a few notes, and asks, “Do you have any questions for us”. Your mind almost goes blank. You just want to know did you get the job or not! You hesitate for moment, and say, “No. I do not have any, but when will I hear back from you.”
Big mistake. This has the potential to rub the interviewer the wrong way. Recruiters are people. People are fickle. The last thing you want to do is reinforce the idea the interview was a transaction. Now is your time to shine. Now is your time to make the interviewer feel like hiring you will be the best decision they ever made!
Asking questions at the end of an interview is a key opportunity to learn more about the role and the company, and to show your interest and engagement. Absolutely, asking thoughtful questions during an interview not only helps you gather information about the role and company, but also demonstrates your interest and engagement. During the interview it is vital to deploy those active listening skills to the interviewer’s responses and build upon them where relevant, but you do not want to have all the questions answered during the interview. While being respectful of the interviewer’s time, you should save 2-4 questions for the end of the interview.
This give you a short period of time to drive the conversation and solidify your decision as well. Try to keep your inquiries concise and to the point, and let the interviewer guide the conversation if they seem inclined to do so.
How to Structure End of Interview Questions
1. Start with questions about the job: These questions should be directly related to the role you’re applying for. For example:
- Can you describe a typical day in this role?
- What are some of the biggest challenges facing the team currently?
2. Move to questions about the team and culture: This will give you insights into your potential working environment. For example:
- Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
- How would you describe the company culture?
3. Ask about opportunities for development and growth: This demonstrates your ambition and commitment to the role. For example:
- What opportunities for professional development exist?
- What does a typical career path in this department look like?
4. Ask about the company’s plans and the role’s potential impact: This will help you understand the company’s direction and how the role contributes to it. For example:
- What are the company’s goals for the next year?
- How does this role contribute to the broader objectives of the company?
5. Elicit their emotions: This helps you read their body language and reveal a lot about the organization.
- Why do you enjoy working here?
- What has been one achievement that working here has allowed you to accomplish?
6. End with questions about next steps: This shows your enthusiasm to progress in the hiring process. For example:
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
- When can I expect to hear back about the decision?
Practical Examples of Good Interview Questions
While this gives you a framework for asking questions, we wanted to provide you a few more examples of questions to ask at the end of an interview, and why it matters. Here are 10 questions you might consider asking:
- Can you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of this job? This question can give you a better idea of what to expect in the role.
- What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it? This question helps you understand the company’s expectations and how your performance will be evaluated.
- What are some of the challenges that someone in this position would face? This can provide insight into the potential difficulties of the job.
- How would you describe the company culture here? This question can help you determine if the company is a good fit for your personal values and work style.
- What opportunities for professional development or advancement are there? This shows your ambition and desire for long-term growth with the company.
- Who will I be working most closely with? This question can give you insight into the team structure and dynamics.
- What is the typical career path for someone in this role? This can give you an idea of potential growth opportunities within the company.
- How do you see this role contributing to the overall goals of the company? This helps you understand the significance of the role within the larger organization.
- Can you tell me about the last person who held this position? This can give you insights into the job and the potential for growth within the company.
- What are the next steps in the interview process? This demonstrates your eagerness to move forward and gives you a timeline for when you can expect to hear back.
The Ball is In Your Court: Play Well.
As your interview wraps up and you’re asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” resist the urge to say no. This is your golden opportunity to showcase your interest and engagement. Remember, you’re not just there to answer questions; you’re there to engage in a meaningful conversation about your potential future with the company.
Strategically save 2-4 questions for the end of the interview, and follow this simple structure:
- Ask about the role or the team, showing your immediate interest.
- Inquire about the company culture or future plans, demonstrating your long-term commitment.
- If it feels right, ask the interviewer about their own experiences, showing your respect for their perspective.
- Finally, ask about the next steps in the process, showing your readiness to move forward.
Remember, the end of the interview is not just about wrapping up—it’s your chance to drive the conversation and leave a lasting impression. So, engage, inquire, and let your enthusiasm shine through. Good luck!
If you have your interview questions down, but are unsure how to answer questions posed to you. checkout this article : How to Answer Common Interview Questions
