Interview Questions - awkward!

[WingingIt101]

Hi all

I have an interview next week which I’m relatively excited about.
The company is a within my somewhat niche sector and has recently been bought out by a much bigger player who want to expand it. Currently they do not have the function which I head up at my current employer and approached me via linked in about the job. The sector is typically 85% male and quite “old fashioned” in its approaches.
I talked them through some of my experience and explained I am currently on mat leave til March. They were happy and followed up with an interview slot that I gladly accepted.

I have a number of questions id like to ask but feel awkward asking them - perhaps you can help me phrase them (or advise against at the early stages!)

• What is the approach to working parents? Eg flexibility if baby is ill/leaving on time to get to nursery pick up etc - I know my current boss would be very understanding of all this
• what is their maternity leave policy / offering (my current employer offers 12months full pay and I’d like another child but worry this question makes that very clear and they’ll find a reason not to offer me the job if so even though that’s illegal!)
• what is the package on offer, and what are the average costs for the car (they’ve alluded to a car lease scheme but I’ve seen these vary from £200pm-£700pm with and without insurance) - I’ve asked recruitment 4 times now but they always dodge the question
• what they can offer in terms of work from home some days per week (the commute is significantly further so having a couple of days a week at home would help!)

I obviously have other job / business related questions but these are the ones I feel awkward about!

Thank you!

I'd ask those if you get offered the job.

I'd agree - those are the questions to ask when you've been offered the job and are considering whether to take it. The questions at interview are really an opportunity for you to show that you're engaged with the potential role and company.

Same as Cotton Sock and be - bearing in mind what you’ve said about the company I think even though they shouldn’t discriminate because you’re a woman I think you might be wise to ask yourself would a man ask these questions, and if the answer is no don’t ask them until you know the job is yours if you want it.
I’d certainly leave the questions about nursery pick -ups and maternity leave until after you’ve been offered the job and if you choose to ask about working from home I’d try and word it in terms of Covid (although this might not apply next March) rather than convenience for you because of the commute

Thank you all! Good advice 😃