Questions To Ask At The End Of A Job Interview

At the end of the job interview, interviewers usually say, "Do you have any questions for me?" Let's face it: answering “no” is not the best way to close a job interview. But if you don't ask any questions at all, you may seem uninterested. So, if you have no idea of what you could ask, we have some tips for you.

First, research on the company.

Learn as much as possible about the company before going to the interview. Think of a specific position you are going for. Think of the typical candidate for that position. Write down two or three main thoughts and craft some questions to ask about your future role in the company, based on what you‘ve thought and read. This way, you will be able to bring some arguments to the table and demonstrate your enthusiasm.

Second, show that you're listening.
Try to seize every important detail during the interview to be able to ask for clarifications at the end. To your general surprise, you may discover that your perception of the job role is slightly different from the recruiter's one. That can be a great starting point for beginning a dialogue with the recruiter at any given opportunity.

Whatever happens, don't be afraid to ask questions... The recruiter will appreciate your proactive approach - be confident and keep in mind that his/her goal is to find the most appropriate and motivated candidate for the role and close the position as soon as possible.

Finally, make a short list of questions for the end. Here are some examples:

Role-Specific Questions

1/ How do you define the success in this position?
Recruiters know what type of candidate they are looking for. Your idea of the job might slightly differ what is expected. Try to figure out what do they expect from the successful candidate and how they are going to measure up the results of his work.

2/ Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
The list of duties and responsibilities mentioned in a job description is rarely complete. Don't hesitate to ask for more details on the working routine. You don't need any surprises later on.

3/ What is the typical career path for someone in this role?
By asking this question, you show your interest in building your career within the company, which makes from you valuable and ambitious candidate.

4/ What would you expect the successful candidate to achieve in the first 30, 90 days in the role?
Your achievements during a three-month period on a new job often determine whether or not you get the opportunity to remain with the company. You need to know what your employer expects from you to prepare yourself for your 90 days sprint.

5/ How do you see the evolution of the position during the year / next five years?
Ambitious, motivated and interested - these are 3 qualities that may come to the recruiter's hearing this question. Once again it can help you show the recruiter your genuine interest in the job.

6/ Is there any reason why you wouldn't hire me?
Asking for feedback demonstrates you remain objective about your personality and ambitious enough to succeed in a job. It will help you discover doubts the recruiter might have on you and reassure him.

Company Questions

1/ What are the most important opportunities facing the company right now?
Asking about strengths and weaknesses is not the sole privilege of recruiters. It's your turn now! It's important to know whether the company you are going to work for is in good health.

2/ What are the most important challenges facing the company right now?
It's an occasion to learn the important trends in your industry and identify where your skills could save the day. If you see any benefits you can bring to this company, it's time to say it.

3/ How would you describe the workplace culture here?
Don't expect an honest answer, but it can be useful to learn about codes practiced within the company, which can be helpful if you want to integrate your new team quickly.

To wrap it up, choose some of these questions and mix them up to make the interview more personal and lively. Be sure to ask questions that get you the information YOU need. After all, the more you ask and the more you seem motivated by the job, and most importantly, the more you convince the recruiter that you are worth employing.