Interview Questions – What Should you ask During your Interview?

Interview Questions – What should you ask during your interview?

How do you answer the all important “Do you have any questions for us?”  This question can be quite challenging for some people, but it doesn’t have to be if you are prepared.  I wrote on this topic a couple of years ago, however, I feel that it is important enough to bring up again.

There are a number of ways to approach this.  One thing that you want to keep in mind, contrary to popular belief, the interview is not about you.  It is about them.  You are there to convince them why you are the best person for the job.  Why you are the right fit.

So the questions that you ask them should demonstrate what you can offer them.  You want to show that you have researched the organization and know something about them.  This is the time to show them how their values and ethics align with yours.  You can use this time to make sure you get information out about yourself that didn’t come out during their question period.

Sample Questions

• “I see in your website that your organization supports local youth initiatives.  Will I have an opportunity to contribute to that goal?”
  • This question lets them know that you know something about them and that you want to get on board.

• “Will I be able to participate in in-house training activities to ensure a full understanding of the role and be better able to contribute to the organization?”
  • Demonstrate that you are committed to continuing with your self-development.  This will also let you know if they support and provide on-going education.

You could also take this opportunity to ask a bit about the process and the expected timelines.  For instance,

• “What are the next steps in the process and at what point do you anticipate the process will be completed?”

However, be careful not to ask questions that are solely for your benefit.

What Not to Ask

• “How much vacation will I get to start?”
• “Do you have a medical/dental plan?”
• “What is your sick leave policy?”

All of these questions imply that you only care about what you can gain by getting this job,  and in no way lets them know that you are committed to providing them a good service. Avoid talking about salary at this stage of the process, unless they bring it up first.  I will talk more about this in a subsequent post.

If you aren’t sure what questions are appropriate, don’t be afraid to reach out to experienced interviewers to get their insight, or engage the services of an experienced  Certified Professional Career Coach who has expertise in interviews.  Keep in mind that you may require different questions for each interview, as you want to ensure that each question is targeted to the specific areas required for the job.

Do you know someone who is faced with this challenge?  Feel free to share this post by using the share links at the top of this page.  Also, if you’d like more interview tips, feel free to check out the interview resource page.