Interviews are like dates and usually, it’s the first and last impressions that count the most. So how do you show you’re keen for the job role that you’re applying for? By knowing the right questions to ask in an interview!
You’re so close to securing a new job! Maybe you left your former job or it’s your first-ever interview. You’ve updated your CV, applied for a bunch of jobs on LinkedIn, connected and spoken with tonnes of recruiters and now you’re getting snapped up for interviews.
Unpopular opinion, but I actually like interviews. I’m a people person and feel relaxed when talking about my experiences to strangers. I have mastered the art of interview prep, and one thing I have learnt is that the ‘Do you have any questions for me?’ moment is pivotal in extracting information and data about the company. Especially the culture, the job, the team and whether it will align with the personal values you hold.
Asking questions at the end of the interview is very personal. In fact, I rarely ask the same questions to a hiring manager or interviewer, as each role and company is unique. However, that being said, there are one or two of the same questions to ask in every job interview (which I’ll highlight below). However, questions will usually be very individualistic to the job and company you’ve applied for.
After doing 30+ interviews in the past year, here’s my take on 3 good questions to ask in an interview that will show you’re interested in the position (pick one from each category):
Ask Questions About The Specific Job Role
What does a typical day look like in this job role?
A must-ask question for every single interview you ever do in your life. Job descriptions can be quite fluid. They can change after you’ve been in the role for a week, can be vague and essentially you could be mis-sold a job if you just go by the job specification. As mentioned in a lesson I learnt during the pandemic, jobs do change.
This question shows the interviewer or hiring manager that you’re trying to place yourself in the shoes of this role. However, it also means you get to hear exactly what the role entails and the expectation of how the day-to-day responsibilities should be carried out. Will Monday 5:00 pm be crunch time or does the work need to be completed by the end of the week? Weekly catch-up meetings on Zoom on a Wednesday? What will you be working on first? Do they have examples of projects you’ll be working on? Do you expect the responsibilities of this role to change in the next 6 months?
What do you expect me to achieve in the first month of this role? (A must ask question in a job interview)
This is a question I have asked a lot when applying for financial accountant roles or finance jobs, which seem to have a million and one things to do. This question provides the opportunity to hear exactly how you can perform the job sufficiently to company expectations. It really is the key to success when starting in your role and shows the hiring manager that you are keen to do a good job from day one.
Is study support provided?
You may have seen that I’ve spoken about my experiences studying for a professional finance qualification (ACA) whilst I was working 60+ hours at a Big 4 Audit firm. I still want to keep my learning and development up regardless of the job I am doing. The answer to this question (for me) determines whether I choose to proceed with the next stage of the interview or pull out. Ultimately, it is one of the biggest factors I take into account when I am considering accepting a job offer and securing employment. Study support is different for each organisation; some companies will pay for exams, courses and provide time off work to sit exams. Whereas other companies might just give a day off once a year.
Learning and networking in your 20s are the only things you should be focusing on in your career. It’s a no-brainer to work for a company that will invest in your professional development and nurture you as an employee.
Ask Questions About Your Team
Who would I be reporting to?
I’ve asked this question when I’ve had interviews with multiple people. It’s important to know exactly who your boss will be, their management style and if you’ll be compatible working with this individual. I always look at their LinkedIn when I am doing interview prep as seeing their experience is a great conversation starter when the right moment arises to find out more about your interviewer.
It’s really difficult finding a job, finding a job with people you like is a rarity and will help so much in regards to how you will perform in your role. Does your manager seem supportive? Would you be able to open up to them if you had a work issue? Look for if you reach the ‘click’ point in an interview, the part of the interview conversation where it becomes more casual, natural and relaxed.
What software does the team use?
A question I’ve started asking a lot more since I’ve been applying for finance roles in different industries and smaller companies. It helps me identify if I have skills within the finance systems and software they already use. A great question to ask if you’re looking to work remotely, perform a tech role or want to understand ways the team communicates with one another and become familiar with the tools that the company has.
Ask Questions About The Company Culture
What do you enjoy most about working here?
This is one of my favourite interview questions to ask because you learn so much about the company, the culture and how the business operates. All things you cannot find on LinkedIn or through the company website. It is scientifically proven that individuals love talking about themselves and the interviewer will enjoy this question because it puts them in a place where they can share advice with a candidate. You also give interviewers a chance to share their career journey and how they got to this organisation and leave the interview on a positive and meaningful note.
Where do you see the direction of the company in the next 5 years?
This question offers clarity on the future of the business and is important to ask to find out what the company wants to prioritise in the coming years. Whether it’s increasing sales or expanding and changing business models. I asked this question a lot whilst applying for roles with startups and smaller/medium-sized companies.
A difficult lesson I recently learnt is to be cautious if a startup says they are focusing on expanding. This could translate to the company wanting to grow aggressively at any cost and could mean that it doesn’t offer a healthy work/life balance. There may also be a difference of opinion between what you think could help the company grow and what senior management thinks.
Make sure the direction the company is heading, aligns with your personal values; maybe you want a stable role that enables you to settle down or maybe you’re wanting exposure in helping a company expand and seeing it become bigger and better.
The interviewer would also see this question as enthusiasm for wanting to grow and develop within the role and the company, which is always a great sign for a company that is hiring.
So What Next? A Successful Job Interview!
Pick Your 3 Questions To Ask In An Interview
Pick 3 of the above questions and you will achieve interview success. Firstly, the hiring managers and interviewers will have a thorough insight into your thoughts about the role and company. Secondly, these questions help confirm a better understanding as to whether this is a job you want to do. Lastly, they help you stand out as a candidate. As someone who has conducted interviews, so many people turn up to interviews for jobs they don’t actually know they want or just to test the career change waters. Use these interview questions to help you get the job you want!
What are your favourite questions to ask in a job interview? Comment below!
