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Original poster

What to ask interviewer at end of interview??

42 replies

Pombearsandnaiceham · 20/07/2017 23:55

I've got a job interview next week and am a bit stuck on what questions to ask at the end of the interview. (The interview's for a communications role).

So far, I've thought of questions like asking the interviewer:

  • How they got into the industry,
  • What they think are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the industry
  • What they enjoy most about their role
  • What the work culture and environment at the company is like (if it hasn't already been touched on in the interview).

If anyone has any ideas about other questions, please do post your suggestions here :)

Thanks!

OP posts:
indigox · 20/07/2017 23:56

As an interviewer I wouldn't particularly appreciate "How they got into the industry".

Is this a junior role?

Original poster
Pombearsandnaiceham · 21/07/2017 00:00

It is for a junior role, yes

OP posts:
SelfObsessionHoney · 21/07/2017 00:00

How would my induction be structures and what feedback system is in place?
Why is there a vacancy that requires filling?
I wouldn't be asking them how they got into the industry, could cause offence.

MumsOnCrack · 21/07/2017 00:03

The single best question I've ever asked at the end of an interview is...

"Do you have any concerns about my ability to do this job?"

If yes, they'll explain and you have a chance to address any concerns.

If no, they've already convinced themselves you're entirely perfect.

Takes MASSIVE BOLLOCKS but every time I've asked it I've either felt massively confident or had an opportunity to address concerns that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

Wolfiefan · 21/07/2017 00:03

Focus on you. Not them. Opportunities for training or extra responsibility in the future?

MumsOnCrack · 21/07/2017 00:03

It's out there BUT it works.

Missymoo100 · 21/07/2017 00:03

Ask about what opportunity for development there is, career progression, training opportunities etc, that makes you sound keen and motivated.

SteppingOnToes · 21/07/2017 00:08

I've asked the same question crack suggested and have never been turned down for a job ever...

Pollypudding · 21/07/2017 00:11

What opportunities and challenges might be something they ask you!
I wouldn't make up questions just for the sake of it. Is there anything you really want to know about the job or the company that is not covered in the job description or person spec or their website?

indigox · 21/07/2017 00:17

It is for a junior role, yes

It was obvious from your questions :) Your questions aren't to interview the interviewer about them, they're to find more about the company and give you further opportunity to show how you would fit in. Ask questions which show you're interested in your own career development and interest in the role.

Is it communications in an agency or in house role in a particular sector? If the latter research the sector, find some relevant events/news/regulations, then ask how X is impacting the sector/your role - it shows you've done a bit more than pluck a random vague question such as "what are the industry challenges/opportunities?"

OutToGetYou · 21/07/2017 00:23

As an interviewer, the "do you have any concerns about my ability to do this job" comes over as arrogant and often puts a dampener on what was a good interview. If I do have doubts, I'm actually not going to tell them right at that point anyway.
So for those who asked that and got the job, I expect it was despite this, not because of it. It's never stopped me offering a job I was already sure about and I doubt they could say anything to turn it round by the time they are asking questions either.

People often ask what a normal day in the job looks like, what the culture is like, why the post is vacant, what development opportunities there are, stuff like that.

diodati · 21/07/2017 00:25

Thank you for your time. It was a pleasure to meet you.

IdoHaveAName · 21/07/2017 00:26

What is the structure of the team?

What sort of person do you feel would fit in well with the current team?

What is the reporting structure?

Does the company have a buddy system or an active sports and social club?

Is the position a newly created role or replacing a current employee?

What training is provided?

watchingthedetectives · 21/07/2017 00:27

I interview a lot and the question
"Do you have any concerns about my ability to do this job?"
would put me off completely, you will have already got through the initial stages/shortlisting.
The main interview is the time to stand out - this 'and finally' is just to wrap things up. I think Missymoo's questions hit the spot
Definitely don't ask detailed questions about holiday dates or apologise for confusion over an answer by saying you are on medication (as one interviewee did recently)
Good Luck

IdoHaveAName · 21/07/2017 00:28

What teams do we closely interact with?

What do you feel will be the immediate priorities for the person coming into the role?

OlennasWimple · 21/07/2017 00:31

MumsOnCrack - I agree. I've asked similar questions in interviews that I have felt went well (and got the job each time)

If it's not been covered already, you could ask about the biggest challenge for the team in the coming 6/12 months, what's the scope for career development in the team or company, and what they enjoy most about working there.

GetSomeGumption · 21/07/2017 00:36

I've asked interviewers "What's your favourite part about working for this company?" Or similar. It may not give them any further info about me, but it gives me a hell of a lot of information about what the job will be like. If it takes them a long time to answer, be worried!

Interviews are supposed to work two ways and all that...

diodati · 21/07/2017 00:37

Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand. Emphasize your strengths and abilities, downplay weaker areas. Think of what makes you the best candidate for the job. Smile, make eye-contact, sit up straight, don't fiddle or fidget. Be polite. Take a moment to consider each question before you answer, don't babble.

RhodaBorrocks · 21/07/2017 00:43

I always ask the same questions ad MissyMoo. Often they'll tell you if the role is vacant because someone has progressed and generally they're always happy when you ask about training and development opportunities. In my case, if they say there's not really much progression and people have left because they've retired/gone somewhere completely different then I know it's not the role for me. My current boss answered me by saying the previous person had moved upwards into another department and that they'd restructured to role to make it more varied so there would be real opportunities to develop new skills and put my own mark on the role. 3 years in and I can honestly say that's true and I've gained some very marketable skills which I seriously plan to take upwards with me when DS leaves primary school (1 year to go!).

Original poster
Pombearsandnaiceham · 21/07/2017 01:00

Thanks so much everyone! :) Your answers and advice is all hugely helpful.

I'm thinking of asking about the induction period and how it's structured (thanks Self :) ), as this isn't covered at all on the company's website, and then perhaps asking about further opportunities for training and progression.

OP posts:
clairewilliams999 · 21/07/2017 01:07

I've been interviewing all day
Ask something that makes it look like yiu are interested in the company like a recent merger, acquisition, brand or product launch
Don't say 'you've answered all my questions'

KeepServingTheDrinks · 21/07/2017 01:07

I was advised NEVER to ask anything about pay or money ("none of your business until you're actually offered the job) or anything about time off/holidays ("they'll think you're a slacker/just in it for the perks").

If you don't have any questions, a good line is "thankyou, I did have questions, but you've covered everything in this interview" is a good line which gets you out of trouble!

Good luck!

whitershadeofpale · 21/07/2017 01:11

I ask the same question as mumsoncrack the majority of the time and always get them. I think it's in the way you ask, I usually do with a friendly air and sometimes say, 'this might be a slightly cheeky question but...'

I'd also possibly ask something about structure or training (I have seen this not to down to well in junior roles as they think you're just using it as a stepping stone and won't stay long).

I think the best is to research the company well and then ask a specific question based on that. For example in my current role I asked a version of 'I understand that you've recently launched project x in y. How does that fit in with your work in z?' Is shows you've done your research and are asking targeted questions not just one that you ask at every interview.

Wawawaa · 21/07/2017 01:17

Watching :)

Kr1stina · 21/07/2017 01:33

Be careful not to ask anything that you should already know because it's on their website. Or even worse, in the information they sent you about the job.