What to ask in an interview

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Tips And Advice

Interviews can feel overwhelming, but remember it's not just the interviewers who are trying to find out about you - it's your opportunity to find out more about them!

Make sure you have questions ready to ask in your interview to help you with your decision making process.

Questions to ask during your interview

The role
The interviewer & team
Management style
Culture & reputation
Performance measurement
Future opportunities for growth
Next steps in the process

The role

It's important to read the job spec in full before your interview and do your homework. However, look beyond the obvious and what is written to find out what the job really entails - and whether the employer expects much more than you initially thought.

What are the specific day-to-day responsibilities?
What would my first week/month/quarter look like?
How does this role specifically add value to the business?
What do you hope I will accomplish in this role?

About the interviewer & team

The interviewer could end up being your boss or someone you work closely with so be sure to get to know them. Try to get a handle on their values and attitudes - and do they match with yours/what you're looking for?

What do you enjoy most about the company/your job?
How long have you worked in this industry? What do you love about it?
What does your typical work day look like?
What is your team's greatest success?

Management style

If the way you are managed is important in enabling you to be the best you can be, make sure you ask questions to find out if your styles align.

How do you like to manage your team?
How do you encourage open communication amongst your team?
How do you/leadership team set employees up for success?
How is feedback managed day-to-day?
How would your employees describe you?

Culture & reputation

It's vital to understand how your values sync with your potential new employer.

What is your work-life balance like?
How would you describe the company culture?
Are you a flexible employer? What does that mean to you?
How often are employees expected to work outside of normal working hours?
What is your mission statement?
Why did the person before me leave this role? Why do most employees leave the business?
How would your employees describe the company?
What are the company's biggest challenges and how are you overcoming them?

Performance measurement

Gaining early awareness of a company's expectations and how they measure success will often aid your decision making process. You can ask yourself whether what they're offering aligns with what you want and expect.

How involved are individuals in setting their own goals/work-plans?
How do you recognise employee achievements?
How often do you evaluate employee performance?
How do you highlight skills gaps within your team?

Future opportunities for growth

Ask yourself what your ultimate goal is and ask questions that will help you answer if this role will set you on the right path to achieve that goal.

What is your Learning & Development policy? How do you ensure your team have the right skills in place?
How do you promote employee growth & development?
What does a top performer look like in this role?
Do you have a mentor/buddy system in place?

Next steps in the process

Make sure you know what will happen next before you leave the interview. It's your final opportunity to make sure you've got all you need from the interviewer.

What is the next step in this process and when should I expect to hear from you?
Do you have any concerns about my fit for the role?
Is there anything else you'd like to know about me?
Would you like to see examples of my work?