Many candidates trail off when it comes to asking questions during an interview. Don't become a victim of not being well prepared. Asking the right questions will give you the last laugh in that interview. Read on.
“Do you have any questions for us?” Of course, you do. You want to know about the company, maybe they did not ask you about your notice period and you need some clarity on the job description. These interview questions will surely make you stand out.
1. “What are the key performance metrics of this role?” or “What is the yardstick of success in this role?”
Taking on a new role carries a lot of expectations from your employer. The only way to get a hunch of what these expectations are is by asking what measures are used to gauge one’s performance in the role. Such a question informs the interviewer that you are ready to work not only to meet expectations but to also exceed them. Be that candidate that is not just working to just complete tasks but also to excel in their role. Your interviewers know the secret to being the best candidate for the role. When you want to know what will help you succeed, it means you are up for the challenge.
2. “How did the pandemic affect the general operations of your company? How are you recovering from those challenges?”
The entire world was hit by Covid-19. The pandemic affected many companies in various ways, others downsized, some closed down while others thrived, like Amazon. Depending on what the answer is, you can always ask how the role in question can help the company regain its momentum or how to improve on the existing success.
Questions like this are going to show the recruiters that you are concerned about the company. It is an attitude that will make you stand out from the crowd.
3. “I still want to learn and grow beyond this role. Is there room for training and growth?”
This is the question you do not want to miss out on during the interview. It is an opportune chance to get a sneak peek into your future. Whether you are going to give more than you are getting or it will be a two-way gain.
Depending on the answer you will get, you can ask more questions to get clarity.
4. “In case I get this job, what would you expect from me in the first week?”
This is the time to do your results justice. Such a question is going to redeem you in a flash. You’ll get to know what exactly they are looking for in a candidate and you can borrow a few highlights to use in your closing remarks.
5. “Is this a new position?”
You would want to know if you are replacing someone or if it is a new position in the company. New positions are always created for specific reasons, find out what that could be. You might have to think twice about the role.
6. “How could I impress you in the first three months?”
Go ahead and cheat on your exams. Recruiters cannot resist a candidate who wants to do the job.
7. “5 years from now, where do you think the company will be? "
Recruiters want to know where you will be in five years but so do you. A candidate who is curious about their future is always prepared and works ahead of time. You may also want to know if these are the 5 years you want to be part of.
8. “ Performance reviews are important for me, how often will I get reviewed if I get this position”
This sounds like you are reading your recruiter’s mind. A candidate who appreciates performance reviews and takes feedback positively is a good one to have.
9. Inquire about the current affairs of the company
As you are doing your interview preparations, soak yourself in the public affairs of the company. This might be a current press conference, a lawsuit, a new merger or even a public scandal. This is not only for you to ask in the interview but to have a clue about your next employer.
For example, “I notice you have recently merged with X company, what could a new employee expect from this merger?”
Such a question will display your level of curiosity and how informed you are about your potential employer. And also give you a sneak peek into your future, and you can make an informed decision about whether this is the right job for you or not.
As you prepare to ask questions during the interview, you might want to pay attention to a few tips;
Personalise your questions
Do not just keep saying your company this, and your company that. Use the company name when asking questions. Also, you can direct your questions to specific individuals on the panel, this means you need to be attentive as they introduce themselves.
Pick up from the interview conversations
Did you hear something in the interview questions that were not clear? Do you need a depth explanation of your working hours from the HR Representative? This is the time to show off as an attentive candidate.
When you ask questions during the interview, it not only makes you stand out from the rest of the candidates but also increases your knowledge about the different work practices in the different working environments. Asking questions will also help you make a final decision in case you are given an offer.
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