You know the answers to the questions you’ll be asked on a job interview. But, when the tables are turned, do you know which questions you should be asking your interviewer?
You’re answering plenty of questions to convince an employer that you’d make a great addition to their company.
But, let’s face it.
It’s actually pretty easy to recite your past work and education experiences in a matter-of-fact way.
Then, the dreaded question comes.
“Do you have any questions for me?”
When a potential employer asks you this question, it’s your turn to be the interviewer. By asking the right questions, you could show your future employer how interested you are in this job.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with questions you should consider asking your interviewer on your next job interview.
1. The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
When you get the chance to ask your interviewer questions at the end of a job interview, it would be silly not to ask at least one.
Here’s why.
Now you’re interviewing them
Asking your interviewer a few questions puts them on the spot. While in this position, they’re trying to convince you that you should work for their company.
You gain some control
When you ask them the questions, you’re able to get the answers to questions that may not have been answered while you were being interviewed. You now control the direction in which the interview is going and you can get some information that can help you make a major career decision.
It shows you’re pursuing multiple avenues
By asking your interviewer why you should work for their company, it helps to show that this isn’t your only job option. It makes them think that you’re weighing several employers and that you’re looking for the best fit for your needs and skillset.
In the list below, we’ll overview some of the top questions you might want to ask while in an interview. You should have a few in mind when you go in, but you’ll also come up with a few of your own throughout the interview.
During the interview, you might want to jot down some information and highlight the questions you want to ask when the interview comes to a close.
We recommend that you bring a notebook and something to write with.
2. Questions to Ask About Job Responsibilities
Before you accept any type of job offer, you want to find out what exactly you’d be doing while you’re on the job. That means asking your interviewer about each minor detail of the job.
This can help you to figure out whether this particular job would be a good fit for your skillset.
Here are some questions you should think about asking about this job’s responsibilities.
- What programs or software would I be using?
- What would my daily schedule look like?
- What skills would make a person successful at this job?
- How would I be assessed in terms of performance?
- Which departments would I be working with?
- Who would I be reporting to?
- What does your ideal candidate look like?
When you ask about the job responsibilities, you’re expressing interest in the job itself rather than the salary associated with it. It can also show that you’re considering the position and trying to imagine what your day-to-day schedule would look like.
If you’ve already had experience in this type of job, you should still ask these questions.
What your previous employer expected of you might be different than this employer.
3. Questions to Ask About the Company
You might be qualified for the job, but you want to make sure you’re going to be working for a reputable company as well. Selecting the right company to work for can be the difference between remaining stagnant in your career and moving up the chain.
You need to consider whether you want this company’s name on your resume.
Here are some questions to consider asking about the company you’re interviewing with.
- What’s the history of the company?
- Where do you see the company in five years?
- Why should a person choose to work for your company as opposed to another?
- What are the long-term goals and objectives of this company?
- How has the company progressed in the last few years?
- What’s the relationship between employer and employee?
In addition to asking these types of questions, you should also do your research before showing up on the interview day. That means taking a look at the company’s website, awards they may have won, or news stories about the business.
You can also ask specific questions about things you learned during your research.
When you ask about the company, it shows employers that you genuinely care about your career and future. If you’re interviewing with a good company, there won’t be a shortage of conversation when you ask these types of questions.
4. Questions to Ask About the Interviewer
You’re new to this company, but your interviewer likely isn’t.
By asking questions about your interviewer’s experience, you can learn first-hand why employees chose this company.
Here are some questions to ask your interviewer about themselves.
- Why did you choose to work for this company?
- How has your career progressed since you’ve worked here?
- What qualities of this company make you stay?
- What skills have you developed since working with the company?
- Why do you think somebody should work here?
Asking your interviewer questions about themselves breaks down the wall between you.
It allows you two to talk person-to-person and learn about their personal experiences.
If you eventually choose to work for this company, the relationship you’ve built with the interviewer can help you out once you officially start. By already having that rapport, you’ll definitely have more support and assistance as you learn the ropes for this position.
5. Questions to Ask About Furthering Your Career
Getting a job is a great start, but you also want to make sure that you won’t be stuck in the same position forever. You want to guarantee that your employer values new skills and ideas and emphasizes personal growth within employees.
You want to know that you won’t stay in the same place forever.
Here are a few questions to ask about the future of your career if you choose this company.
- Are there professional development opportunities?
- Are there opportunities for promotions and other career advancements?
- How much emphasis does the company place on acquiring new skills?
- Does the company pay for further education?
- Is there potential for switching departments and careers?
Having the skills to perform the job today is really important, but every career changes as time passes.
That means you’ll have to develop new skills and learn about new technology in order to keep your place in your career field.
Employers love when employees show initiative, especially when it comes to learning new things that can help the company as a whole. It shows that you’re dedicated to your career and looking to further the progress of the company as well.
6. Questions to Ask About Salary
Let’s face it, this is a major reason why you’re at the interview. We all have bills to pay and need a consistent source of income.
These questions should be some of the last questions you ask and can be the determining factor over whether you accept a job offer from this company.
Here are a few important questions you might want to ask about salary.
- What’s the starting salary for this position?
- Does further education increase salary?
- Is there a potential for a salary increase?
- What’s the company’s stance on performance-based bonuses?
The most important thing you can do at an interview is ask the employer what the salary is rather than telling them what you’re looking for. You might not even realize that you’re undervaluing yourself and your skills when you do this.
If you come off interested and qualified during your interview, it’s more likely that your future employer will be willing to negotiate.
However, you need to make sure that you’re not placing too much of an emphasis on money, as your interviewer will be able to see that it’s your prime focus.
Conclusion
It’s understandable that you’re a bit nervous about going on job interviews. Yet at the same time, you’re probably confident in what you know and your positive qualities as an employee.
When you’re in a job interview, it’s important that you answer the questions your interviewer asks and show why you’re a good fit for the company.
However, you also need to be prepared to ask questions of your own.
By asking the right questions and being interested in your interviewer’s responses, you can help secure yourself a job offer and a higher salary.
Author Bio:
Lindsey, our community manager, comes to Siesta Key with several years of experience managing luxury communities throughout the DC metropolitan area. As a Montgomery County native, Lindsey feels as though Siesta Key is what Rockville has been missing. It is centrally located and proves that you can have plenty of space without losing style and sophistication.