Top Questions to Ask an Employer During the Job Interview

Why is asking interviewers important?

“We are done with our part. Do you have any questions?” Technically, this sentence marks the end of an interview. However, everything is not as easy as it seems.

Having questions to ask an employer during the job interview is a crucial indicator of your interest in the offered position. People love feedback and appreciate curiosity. They would eagerly answer reasonable questions related to the vacancy and the day-to-day responsibilities it includes.

Candidates also get additional opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. They may impress interviewers with awareness of company activities and mission. Preparing a list of questions to ask the interviewer shows that you are determined. Eventually, they help understand if the company is a good fit for the candidate.

This final part is always stressful because you are tired and want to breathe freely after the examination. Yet, good power statements and questions at the end of the job interview increase candidates’ chances to be remembered. They are more likely to be chosen for the position.

So, what do you need to ask? Jooble specialists have prepared some takeaways. Disclaimer: we didn’t cover questions about salary. It will be the topic for our next material.

What are good questions to ask an employer during the job interview?

What do you personally find exciting about working here?

People like talking about themselves. Use this trick to win the employer’s favour. You don’t manipulate (or maybe just a bit), rather ask for sincere feedback from more experienced people. Here are some examples of such questions:

• What does inspire people working here?
• Why did you choose this workplace back in the day?
• How does the company align its goals with employees’ aspirations?
• What defined your career path in this company?

These are killer interview questions to ask employers because you directly address their human side. Thus, candidates can show respect to the professional path of their potential colleagues. Furthermore, they figure out how favourable the working environment is in the company.

How can I grow professionally here?

Among all candidates, ambitious ones stand out and attract more attention. To show that you’re serious about working here, don’t hesitate to specify the next career steps.

• How do employees get promoted in the company?
• Are there any restrictions on how long people should work before getting a raise?
• What are the key factors for a horizontal/vertical promotion?

Thanks to these questions, you’ll easier notice the red flags of the potential workplace. What if the culture of promotion and professional development is weak here? As a result, people don’t get enough recognition for their hard job. It may indirectly point at the high employee turnover. So, if you search for something long-lasting, don’t waste your time in the workplace with little to no appreciation.

What are your strategy and internal policy?

A successful company must have a strategy and an internal policy. Candidates should pay attention to these aspects since they inevitably deal with them carrying out day-to-day tasks. In case you don’t share company goals and rules, we would recommend considering another workplace. What if your potential employers encourage the high power distance culture? Would you feel comfortable with it?

The same goes for the company goals. Are they relevant to you? Would you eagerly contribute to achieving them? Sort these things out during the interview.

• What goals is an organisation pursuing nowadays?
•  How flexible are the working hours?
•  How would you describe company management style?
• Does the company cultivate a collaborative and supportive environment?
• If an employee comes up with a fresh and good idea, who could help her implement it?

This one and similar questions show that the candidate cares about the long-term perspectives and takes internal policy seriously.

….and a bit more ideas

There are tons of questions you may ask before leaving the office. Some of them can break the ice at the beginning of the conversation. Others should show your commitment to performance and put you in a positive light. Here you can find examples of both categories:

Ice-breaker questions to ask an employer during the job interview:

• What kind of attire is better at this workplace?
• Are there any outdoor or indoor activities for employees?
• How does my typical day will look like?
• How do you encourage work-life balance among employees?
• May I organize a hobby club?
• Are employees allowed make small parties on Friday nights in the office?
• Do you organize company parties?
• How would you describe a company culture?

More serious questions to ask an employer during the job interview:

• What personality traits are highly appreciated in the company nowadays?
• Are my potential colleagues more team players?
• How much would they appreciate healthy individualism?
• Is the communication culture within a company horizontal or vertical?
• Everyone needs active and motivated coworkers, but does the company have a steady set of values?
• What kind of supervision can I count on?
• How does the management encourage employees to develop?
• What is the conflict resolution culture in the office?
• How often does a performance review take place?

It is the information candidates tend to overlook. So, don’t miss the opportunity and clear the air right during the interview.

Is it ok to ask a lot of questions in an interview?

To sum up, there are dozens of questions you may raise. We don’t recommend using all of them. Otherwise, you will turn into the interviewer yourself. Specialists advise preparing 3-5 standing questions that fit all situations. Therefore, you won’t feel stressed and confused about this part of the conversation. Act accordingly and remember that recruiters and potential employers enjoy and appreciate fruitful interaction. Experts also emphasize that any interview should be a two-way street. Both parties have to make efforts to represent themselves in a positive light. The times when a hiring manager was an overwhelming favourite are in the distant past.

Some questions cross your mind in the middle of the conversation. Feel free to clarify your concerns on the spot. The amount of questions depends on the stage of the interview process. The nearer you are to the final boss, the more questions are ok to ask. A positive sign if they become more specific. Thus, your potential employers understand that you are already deep in the context know a lot about the company.