Interview Tips: How to answer, 'Do you have any questions?'

We’ve all been there, it’s the end of an interview and you are asked, ‘Do you have any questions?’ Your interviewer has been grilling you to see if you are the right fit, but now it’s your turn. This is your opportunity to understand more about the company, role and culture, but fail to ask relevant questions and you can seem under-prepared or uninterested. Here’s what to ask…. 

What is the company’s future strategy?

You will know who the company are, what they do and their competitors through research and the interview process, but asking what their collective future strategy is shows that you are interested in not just where the company is now, but where they are going. It also shows that you want to be a part of this, pushing the company forward.

What is the typical career path for someone in this role?

This shows that you are serious about the role and industry, whilst highlighting that you are ambitious and want to progress in your career by working hard for your potential employer. Striving towards personal achievements in turn means success for the company.  

What are the biggest challenges for the person in this role & how is success measured?  

This question is an important indicator of the work that needs to be done and how your work will be evaluated, leading to explanations of the appraisal progress, any expected targets and the challenges that this role faces. It will give you a head start and means you will have clear KPIs and understand any potential issues you will encounter on the job.

Why did this role become available?

From this question you can quickly ascertain whether the company is hiring for this role due to turnover or growth. If the company is expanding it is generally due to success and could mean your role has been created to service new business. Equally, if there has been high turnover on the role, it is important to understand why.

How do you like to be kept updated on work progress?

In most instances you will be interviewed by your line manager, so understanding how they like to work and their process for work reviews and catch-ups is essential. It shows that if you got the job, you want to work efficiently and importantly together, making both your lives easier.

Why do you like working here?

Avoid being fed company culture spiel and ask the interviewer direct the reasons why they like to work at the organisation. Again you need to work out whether this job is for you, so getting to the bottom of the office environment, core values and everyday work life is important. Ask yourself honestly if you are the right fit and try not be clouded by fun perks, although we’d all love an on-site gym, office snacks and Friday drinks.  

For interview support and advice from our expert recruitment team, please email consultants@1strecruit.co.uk or call 01534 875444.