Wondering what should you should say at the end of an interview? Our career coach gives some advice on what you can ask to stand out from the crowd.
Question: What are some of the best questions to ask the interviewer in an interview? Anonymous
It’s very common to be asked ‘Do you have any questions for us?” at the end of an interview.
This is your chance to find out some things you want to know, but it’s still part of the assessment. The interviewers want to see you are seriously thinking through how you would fit the job. It’s also a bit of a pitfall if you ask the wrong thing!
Because this comes at the end of the interview, it’s important to get right, because of the Peak-End-Rule. The end of the interview will have a disproportionate influence on how you are perceived.
Ask questions that show you are thinking about what it would be like to DO the job. They should be curious and open-ended, giving the interviewer the opportunity to expand their thinking and for you to follow up and turn it into a (short) two-way conversation.
“How will success be measured?”
“What does good look like in this role?”
“What are the biggest challenges for the person who gets this job?”
“Who are the key stakeholders, how do they view this post?”
2-3 questions like this are sufficient, and ask follow up questions when they say something interesting. Turning this part of the interview into a conversation about the job is great!
Then ask…“What are the next steps in the process, when should I expect to hear back?”
You need to know this – it saves you worrying about it later – and people who think about next steps are good people to have around in the workplace.
What should I avoid doing?
Don’t ask anything you could have found out by reading their website or watching the news.
Don’t ask closed questions, you won’t learn much and it can kill any rapport you have established (remember the Peak-End-Rule!).
Some people favour asking the interviewer something about themselves, or their experience at the company.
I don’t like this, the interviewer is probably only going to share generic, non-committal information that’s broadly positive. So you won’t learn much. The same goes for really broad questions along the lines of “what’s the culture like?”
Some people favour asking questions that demonstrate your research into the company by asking something about strategy, or initiatives the company has undertaken.
This can work, but it runs the risk of being irrelevant to the role you are applying for and making the interviewer feel like they are being tested.
If you do ask a question like this, make sure it’s relevant to the vacancy.
I’m Dan (He/Him), a careers coach who is passionate about helping people make good career choices. I currently work for Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. Follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
A new study suggests that most of Gen Z believe in conspiracy theories, with almost half actively spreading and sharing them on social media.
Who doesn’t love a fun conspiracy theory?
For as long as the internet has been a thing, conspiracy theories and alternative explanations to major world events have been rampant. Whether it’s the classic 9/11 takes, communities convinced the world is flat, or more recent sentiments that vaccines...
The unlikely gastronomic trends of today’s youth are transforming the food industry – one briney, garlicky, pantry item at a time.
If each decade was defined by a food item, the past few years would follow a chronology something like this: avocado on toast in the early 2000s, kale chips and acai bowls in the 2010s, and now an unlikely contender – tinned fish.
Yes, those humble cans of sardines, mackerel and tuna,...
Young people are experiencing high levels of stress more often than previous generations. What does this tell us about modern attitudes to work and wellness?
Reports of high stress levels among young professionals have become so frequent they hardly register as newsworthy. 98% of Gen Z workers report experiencing symptoms of burnout, with frontline workers facing some of the worst conditions. So what’s going wrong? And why does a...
How Can Gen Z Discuss Their Use of AI Tools with Managers to Ensure Transparency and Trust at Work?
I love the intention behind this question: recognizing that using AI could be a concern and that the best way to address it is through open discussion.
First, don’t assume your manager is against AI. Many leaders I talk to are open to exploring how it can be used as a tool...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
0 comments
