Job interviews with potential employers are filled with questions for you about your career, personality, and work ethic. But what should you be asking them in return?
Here’s a quick list of questions (followed by some more information below!).
Questions to Ask Employers During an Interview
- What will my day-to-day responsibilities include?
- What expectations are there for someone in this role?
- What do you feel are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?
- Can you describe your company culture?
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
1) What will my day-to-day responsibilities include?
Some of these duties may have been stated in the original job posting, but speaking with someone over the phone or face-to-face about what your daily tasks will be can give you insight into what you can expect and prepare for.
2) What expectations are there for someone in this role currently, and how would those potentially change within the first three, six or twelve months?
Though you may learn more details about your role with a new company from Question 1, this question is meant to examine how your role could grow, shrink or otherwise change during the next year. Plus, getting some “inside info” on the expectations will help you decide if this role is something you’d feel confident in.
3) What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing both the company and someone in this position?
All jobs and employers have challenges, so although this may sound like a negative question, it’s important to ask it. This way, when hired, you can know right off the bat how to effectively counteract what the employer will mention as the largest hurdles they encounter. And, the answers the employer offers here can tell you a lot about the organization, too.
4) Can you describe your company culture?
Finding out if you’re a good fit for any employer goes beyond qualifications. An answer to this inquiry should tell you all about the company dynamic, as well as any fun or educational opportunities they offer both inside and outside of the office. If you are looking for a more creative or collaborative role, the company’s culture often plays a huge role in that.
At the end of the day, could you see yourself happy and fitting in at the office?
5) What are the next steps in the interview process?
It seems like this would be an easy one to remember, but you’d be surprised how many potential employees forget it, or don’t think it’s necessary. This will be informative for you as the interviewee, so you know when a proper time to follow-up will be, and it also highlights your continued interest in the position.
Other Helpful Resources:
Acing your next interview is more important than ever — if you’d like some guidance in this process, we’d love to work with you! Our team of recruiters are always looking for the best talent for professional, administrative, technical, and industrial positions.
Tell us about yourself here, or check out some of our other helpful resources below!