Let’s be honest, interviews are intimidating. And they almost always end with the same, daunting question: “Do you have any questions for us?”
While you might feel that you covered everything during your interview and sold yourself for the position, you should never answer “no” to this question. Answering no might give the impression that you haven’t prepared, you are scared to ask for help or you’re not interested in the role.
Asking questions at the end of an interview is an opportunity to reiterate your potential and to learn about the company or position. Asking strong and meaningful questions will help the interviewer remember you and the conversation you had.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of this question:
DO
- Write your questions down. In the heat of an interview, you might forget an important question that pops up. It is okay to jot down notes or questions to reference later.
- Be specific. Ask about something that came up during your conversation or something interesting you found while researching the company.
- Address any concerns you have about the position. It is just as important that you feel confident about the role as it is for the interviewer to get to know you.
DON’T
- Ask about something that has already been addressed during your interview. This might indicate that you were not paying attention.
- Ask simple questions that could be answered with a quick Google search. Again, this shows that you have not done much preparation. 47% of candidates fail job interviews because of a lack of knowledge about the company they applied to. It is important to do research ahead of time.
Here are four meaningful question ideas to get you started:
- Can you tell me more about X?
Asking the interviewer to expand on something specific allows you to learn more information and reference back to an earlier part of your conversation. It demonstrates that you were listening and aren’t afraid to ask for clarification. On top of that, it shows that you are interested in specific aspects of the job and company.
- What is your favorite part about X?
By asking the interviewer to reflect on their favorite aspect of their role, company or team, you can get a better picture of the company’s culture. This question also requires a personal response from the interviewer, which can help you build a stronger connection and boost your chances of getting the job.
- What type of employee succeeds in this organization/company/position?
This question allows you another opportunity to highlight your strengths and learn about company values. It can provide you with some insight into what qualities and skills are valued at the organization and give you another chance to demonstrate why you are a good fit for the role.
- What are the biggest opportunities/challenges in this role?
Asking about opportunities and challenges gives you the chance to think about your own career goals and the potential for growth in the position you are interviewing for. This question also opens conversation about competitors, responsibilities outside of the job description, upcoming projects and company progression.
Whatever questions you ultimately land on, the most important thing is to walk (or Zoom) into the interview feeling confident and prepared. Do your research ahead of time and know what you want to ask before the question comes up. This is the end of your time together, so make sure the interviewer knows that you are excited and ready to take on the new position!