CHARLESTON, S.C. – More than likely this has happened to you in an interview situation: You get to the end of the interview, you breathe a sigh of relief that you made it through learning the particulars of the job and answering a slate of questions geared towards the interviewer being able to gauge your personality as well as your ability for the job. You have provided your credentials and made the case for why you are the best candidate. Then this question, “Do you have any questions for us?” is asked. There might be temptation to hurriedly say, “No,” in order to reach the finish line and end the interview; however, you should consider the question as an opportunity to reaffirm your enthusiasm for the position.
Asking good interview questions at the conclusion of the interview shows that you are engaged. This is your time to shine. It lets the prospective employer know you have done some research about the company. Because there is no way you could know everything there is to know about the company and the new job opportunity after one interview, employers expect you to ask questions.
Asking good questions has a two-fold benefit:
- It lets the interviewer know you have put some thought into your questions.
- It increases your knowledge about the job allowing you to further assess if this position and company are the right fit for you.
Be strategic, do some research and be prepared. Ask questions that demonstrate you are taking the process seriously. Here are some suggestions to help you know what questions to ask and what is not okay to ask:
Ask about the job role and the day-to-day responsibilities
Ask for further clarification on the day-to-day role within the department or organization such as “What is a typical day at work like?” “What is a typical work week like?”
Consider asking the hiring manager, “What are your expectations for the employee for the first six months or the first year?”; “What are first year goals?” and “What does success look like at the end of the year for the person hired in this position?”
Ask questions about the larger organization and work culture
For example ask, “How would you describe the company and team culture?” or “What are the long-term goals of the department?”
You might dig a little deeper and ask, “Can you discuss some of the challenges the department faces and how are you working towards a solution?”
To access the teamwork and collaborative environment as well as the conduciveness for employers to listen to employees, a good question to ask would be, “Is work done in a collaborative or independent setting?” and “How does employee feedback get incorporated into larger processes/decision making?”
Ask about the process
Your final question for the hiring manager and/or recruiter should be to understand what comes next in the hiring process.
An example question is “When do you expect to make a decision?” and “Is there anything additional you need from me before you make an offer/decision?”
Knowing the timing of their decision and if there are additional steps helps set your expectations. It also guides your follow up process. The bonus for being prepared to answer, “Do you have any questions for us?” is this gives you another opportunity to sell yourself.
It is just as important to know what questions to avoid in an interview. Here are examples of questions you should avoid asking at the conclusion of the interview:
Never ask about salary
Never ask about the benefits being offered
Never bring up or ask about time off
Be careful asking any questions related to promotional opportunities and raises
You do not want to give the impression that you are not knowledgeable or not interested in the job. Some of the aforementioned questions, such as salary and benefits package, can be discussed with the employee after an offer is made. This information may likely be available in the job posting on the company’s website. Showing up with a list of dates that you need to request off may make the interviewer question your interest and commitment. Do not mention time off until after you have been extended an offer and want to discuss your availability to start.
When you begin asking about promotions before you have even secured the job, the employer may question your commitment and whether you are the right hire. Find other ways to learn whether they grow talent internally. Ask about the training programs, mentor programs and development opportunities. Think about the things you did not have or wished for in your last job. Try to determine if these things are available in the new job. Ask the employer how employees are supported in professional development.
The database Lynda.com now known as LinkedIn for Learning on the Charleston County Public Library website offers several online courses under its ‘Career Development Training and Tutorials,’section such as ‘Mastering Common Interview Questions’, ‘Acing the Interview’, and ‘Job Searching, Interviewing, and Negotiating Salary’. You can find more tips on asking interview questions by viewing these courses. You just need your library card number and your PIN number to access the database.
By preparing your questions in advance and thinking through the questions that you plan to ask, you have the opportunity to show your engagement with the interview process. It will make a further impression on the hiring staff and show your interest in the opportunity. Take the time to present yourself to employers with thoughtful and insightful questions.
With a little bit of practice and self-patience, you will be ready to take on the next steps in your future career. If you would like more information about how to apply for jobs online, assistance in finding resources, tips on how to get the job-hunting process started or more, please reach out to us at CCPL by email, chat, or text. Remember, you are not alone.