A first interview is the start of a conversation, not an interrogation. It aims to create a dialogue between the interviewee representing the company and a company’s potential employee. It offers you the opportunity to be authentic, not in just presenting your skills set, but also who you are. As Allan Pike, the Key Recruitment Group CEO, reminds us “Your education, training and position may define ‘what’ you are. But it’s ‘who’ you are that will define what you become.”
The company needs to find the right person for the job vacancy. And when being interviewed, you need to do your best in the process and determine if the job is the right one for you. The result is that an interview process can cause all those involved to feel anxious and under pressure.
Something you can expect when an interview is busy wrapping up is to be asked if you have any questions. It needn’t be something you dread. It can actually be the one part of the interview you look forward to. The great thing is it’s the part of the interview you don’t need to feel nervous about and you can prepare for it.
Why is Asking Questions During an Interview Important
Interviews are competitive processes during which each candidate must ensure that they stand out from the others. To do this you need to take time to plan and prepare the questions you plan to ask during an interview process.
The reason you should ask questions in an interview is that it shows that you are genuinely interested in both the job and the company. It indicates that you want to gain insight into the unique aspects of the company, like its culture, team dynamics, and values. These are all things that you only ask about if you are seriously considering the position. Thus, by not asking questions at a first interview, you risk being seen as someone who isn’t truly interested in the job.
Asking questions is also a great way to highlight your own relevant experience and abilities to think critically and analyse. When you ask about challenges and pressure points you show that you know what the role is about and requires. I.e.: you are highlighting first-hand experience and it gives you a chance to reiterate your relevant qualifications and skills. By doing this you focus the interviewee’s attention on your strengths and how you can contribute to the company’s success.
When to Ask Questions in an Interview Process
The correct time to ask questions in an interview process is when you are asked if you have any questions. Usually, this is at the end of the interview. Sometimes they don’t ask you, then you can ask. One way of doing this is to thank them for the opportunity to interview and then enquire if there’s time for questions. Alternatively, you can query who is the best person to contact about any job or company-related questions.
If you are going to ask questions in the middle of an interview, then try to focus on clarification questions. This is done to gain a bit more information or context on something they have asked you. It’s most likely to happen when you’re asked scenario or situational-related questions.
What Questions to Ask the Interviewer
During an interview, you are interviewing your potential employer as much as they’re interviewing you. This means that the type of questions to ask during a first interview are those that determine if the job is a good fit. Accordingly, asking questions has a dual purpose. One is to help you decide if you should take the job. And the other is to highlight why you’re the right person for the job.
When asking questions, a good approach is to personalize the questions you ask and build off questions that have already been asked. For example, if they’ve asked about something you weren’t aware of, like a job responsibility, use this time to clarify things. Ideally, what you trying to do is continue the conversation that was started during the first part of the interview. Then build on it and strengthen the rapport established thus far. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your prepared questions, especially if something during the interview prompts a different question.
15 Smart Questions to Ask in an Interview
The list of questions you can ask, especially during a first interview, is extensive. Here are some example questions to help you think about what you’d like to ask.
Company Focused Questions
- How would you describe the company’s leadership approach?
- How would you describe the company’s working culture? Alternatively, How would you describe the company’s work environment? Typically, more collaborative, or independent working?
- What are the company values and how are they put into action? Alternatively, if you know some of the values mention them and then ask how they are put into practice.
- Why do you enjoy working here? Alternatively, from your experience, what would you say is the best thing about working here? Or What’s different about working here from other companies?
Role Related Questions
- What would a typical day for me in this role look like?
- How do you define and evaluate success in this role?
- What are the three most important skills that you think are necessary to succeed in this position?
- How can I best contribute to the department? Alternatively, What are the most important things I need to accomplish in the first three months of this job?
- What are the main challenges I could expect in this position?
About the Job Questions
- How did this position come about or Is this a new position? If it’s a replacement appointment then How long did the last employee hold the post.
- What is the structure of the team and/or department I’d be working in? Alternatively, Can you tell me about the team and/or department I will be working within? Can you give me some examples of projects I would be working on? Alternatively, What are the immediate projects I would be working on?
- Are there opportunities for professional development and skills training?
- How do you see this position contributing to the success of the company?
Outlining Next Steps
- As a new employee, what would the onboarding processes for me look like?
- Is there anything further I can provide that would be helpful or final questions I can answer for you?
When thinking about what to ask, focus on the questions whose answers you want to know. Even though it can be tempting, rather avoid asking questions that you think will impress the interviewee.
Questions Not to Ask in an Interview
There are questions it’s best to avoid asking during a first interview. These carry the risk of presenting you in an unsavoury light and raise questions about your integrity or potential loyalty.
6 Questions to Avoid in an Interview
- Avoid asking anything that could have been found using Google or that’s already been communicated to you.
- Don’t ask if you can change things like salary, working hours or job description.
- Resist the temptation to ask how soon you can start to apply for alternative roles in the company.
- Never ask about gossip you’ve heard relating to the company, management, or its employees.
- Abstain from asking about monitoring of emails, internet, and phone usage.
- At no time ask about background checks or vetting of qualifications.
When Not to Ask Questions in an Interview
While it’s usually good to ask questions, if you think that you’ve got all the information you need, then you needn’t ask questions. In this instance, it’s good to say that you don’t have questions as they’ve been answered during the interview. There is also no harm done in expressing gratitude for having been invited to interview for the role. As well as confirming that you remain interested and will look forward to receiving feedback in due course.
However, sometimes there’s no point and doing so will waste everybody’s time. For example, if by the end of the interview, you’ve determined that you don’t want the job. Then it really is better to very politely let the interviewer know. Explain that you are grateful for having had the opportunity to make application and go through the interview process. But, you don’t believe the role to be a good fit for you.
EOR Services for Recruitment and Talent Management
Increasingly companies are using Employer of Record (EOR) services to seek, engage, employ and manage talent. The Key Recruitment Group offers a long-standing and successful EOR service. Contact Us today to discuss how we can help make your recruitment processes smoother, easier and more successful.