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What questions can I ask at the end of the interview?

At the end of the interview you will usually be asked the following or similar: “Are there any questions you would like to ask?”  Use this opportunity to show that you have a genuine interest in the role and the organisation and have done some thinking about what you need to know.  Research the company and have two or three questions prepared, any more could be seen as too many. This is your opportunity to “sell yourself” once again as the interviewer(s) will see that you are thinking carefully about the role.

Don’t ask about:

• Things that are covered in the employer’s literature or on their website.  You should already know this thoroughly.
• Anything considered trivial e.g. Christmas holiday closure dates.
• Pay, pensions and benefits.  However, if you really do need to ask then either contact Human Resources separately or ask in a sensitive manner e.g.  “Sorry to ask this but please can you give me an indication of the salary range of this post as it was not indicated on the literature.”
• “Smart Alec” questions where it could appear as though you are trying to catch out the employer e.g. “What are your views on the recent press coverage of the company’s share price fall?”
• How you have performed in the interview. The interviewer(s) are unlikely to tell you as they will need to review all candidates at the end of the interviews and what will you gain from asking at this stage?

Do ask about:

• The job, organisation, department, training and opportunities for progression.
• Information you need which may affect your decision about whether to accept the job or not.
• The next stage of the recruitment process; if appropriate.

Some suggested questions are as follows BUT make sure that they have not been answered already during the course of the interview:

• Can you tell me more about the specific projects I would likely be involved in?
• Who will be my direct line manager or who will be supervising my work on a daily basis?  What is their role? Could you tell me a little about your role in the company?
• In terms of career progression, what has happened to graduates or others who have held this position in the past? What is the typical career path for people in this position?
• What are the objectives of the post in the first 3 – 6 months?  How will they be measured?  What training and / or induction am I likely to receive?
• Does the department or role have particular peaks and troughs in workload?
• Can you tell me more about……something that you have seen or heard as part of the recruitment process?
• How is performance measured in the job?  How is good performance rewarded?
• Who are the key people that interface with this position?
• Why is the position open?
• What is the company’s strategy for the next 5 years?

If all your questions have already been answered during the interview, then say so politely rather than appear uninterested.  For example, you may want to say “Thank you but you have already answered my questions during the interview”.

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