I have an interview tomorrow. I need help with what questions to ask them?

[Pernickety]

Can anyone help me with this? I usually cannot think of anything to ask the interviewer when they offer the opportunity. I would like to be better prepared this time.

It's an NHS - non-medical position.

Please?

Anyone? I know I have left it to the last minute to ask.

The questions I tend to ask:

1. Can you describe a typical day in this position?

1. Can you tell me 3 key elements you would expect the successful candidate to complete within the first 90 days of the post?

1. How will my performance be measured? By whom?

1. Why did you come to work here and what has kept you here?

1. (Last one I ask) Do you have any concerns about my skills/education/experience and my suitability for this position? (great one - allows you to dispel any of their concerns).

Good luck!

The best question to ask- especially in equal opps public sector interviews is "Is there anything I haven't covered?"

This gives the panel license to ask questions 'off the script' or push you for more information on something you inadvertently skimmed over.

Oh, and good luck

what training/development opportunities are available?

Thank you, thank you. There are some good ones here.

How many other applicants did you have?

My only tip is to make sure you answer the questions "me and I" not "we and they", examples of yur performance are better.

"What would you most like to see delivered by the successful candidate in this role?"

Gives you a good idea of what will be expected of you, but also has a "halo effect" as they describe their ideal employee in proximity to you. If you can reassure them that you have the skills & experience to do whatever it is, so much the better!

I do a lot of interviewing and my pet peeves are:

-too much irrelevant information or digressing, esp. when I have to write down the responses. E.g. "I was responsible for, well, jointly responsible for audit with the HR department, because we were reorganised in 2007 so that my post was linked to someone at the same pay point as me for benchmarking purposes..." becomes "I co-managed an audit."

• obviously rehearsed answers

• not listening to the question properly

• asking "Is that what you're looking for?" after giving an answer

Gold stars for:

• reflecting a question back to check understanding "So, you'd like an example of a project that I've led?"

• not being afraid to talk about challenges that you've overcome

Good luck!

'Do you have any concerns regarding my ability to do the job'

That one seems to throw them quite nicely ;)

"What is the next stage in the process?' (so you don't spend a week watching your phone)

Good luck!

Thank you. Loads of tips here.

WillYouDoTheDamnFanjo

What do you mean by obviously rehearsed answers?

I'm a person whose mind goes blank in interviews when asked to give examples of a time when I previously (insert competency here) so I have to commit to memory a few of the obvious ones.

Does that then sound very fake?

Probably a bit late, as you're in the interview now!

I only think it shows if you try and make your example fit the question because you really want to shoehorn that example into the interview.

For example - "Can you give an example of how you have promoted equal opportunities in the past?" is often met with a standard answer along the lines of "I believe in equality for all and hold no prejudices etc etc" - rather than actually answering the question.

Thanks for coming back. It was a good interview - such a lovely panel! They made a huge effort to make it informal and comfortable. I think they got the best out o fme. I think it will come down to the other candidates and if they have better skills and experience than me.

Have you heard anything about the job yet Pernickety??

I'm also wondering how you got on.