interview questions to ask

[tempyuseynamey]

I have a first stage informal interview over Teams this week. They said in addition to finding out a bit more about me, I can ask questions about the job and I wanted to know if it would be okay to ask the following?

The job is advertised at £24,000pa which is lower than I am used to earning although it does sound an interesting job.

WIBU to ask if that salary is fixed, or if it is on a scale? I am concerned about taking a drop in salary and don't want to waste my time if that salary wasn't negotiable. Would it be wrong to query the salary and how best would I do that at this stage?

Its advertised as a 12m FTC. Can I ask what the chances are of this being extended?

Can I ask how the role came about? and what my immediate priorities would be? Can I ask if it would be home based (as it was advertised as flexible)?

It is a charity

I really like your question about how the role came about and what the priorities are.

For me asking about the salary at this stage is a big no. If it's advertised at that without there being a scale I would presume/accept it's fixed at thst, particularly with it being a charity.

I always think questions at first interview should be focused on the role and show your interest in it and the company. Keep any questions about salary, benefits etc for later.

Good luck.

I interview a lot, not charity but public sector. I am never impressed when people ask about pay and contracts on the initial interview. Final interview completely fine.

However, as I expect that if advertised at 24k that will be what is on offer and you don't want to waste your time either you could email HR and ask instead of asking your interviewer.

Ask about the role, the company, training opportunities and skill set development. I always remember and score higher the people who ask insightful questions and seem to be interested in the role and company. In my organisation how much you can negotiate the salary depends on how high you scored in the interview process.

Good luck!

Normally I’d say don’t talk about salary at this stage but if it’s not advertised as “circa” or a range, and you wouldn’t take a drop, I think you probably should contact them in advance and ask whether there could be any wriggle room. You don’t want to sit through maybe two interviews, and then be offered the job and turn it down because they offer you what they said it would be in the first place…

If you are prepared to accept the role at the rate advertised then I'd wait to discuss salary until after you have been offered the job - if not then discuss it before the first interview (really should have been before you applied - saved everyone the bother.)