A successful job interview often requires a two-pronged approach. It goes without saying that you should have prepared answers to potential questionsyou may be asked, but did you know that you should also have a list of questions to ask your interviewer? 

Not only will asking these questions help you to determine whether the job is the right fit for you, it also shows the interviewer that you’re practice and really care about this role.

 

IS THIS A NEW ROLE? HOW DID THIS ROLE BECOME AVAILABLE?

Background information on the specific role you’re applying for is crucial so you know what’s up ahead. A brand new position can often mean that there may be an opportunity to shape the role to suit you and your interests. Finding out how a role has become available can also give you insight into the team and the company. For example, if someone left the role to take up an internal position, it indicates that the employee was likely happy to remain with the company plus the business values promoting staff from within.

 

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING HERE?

This turns the tables and puts the onus on the interviewer to sell the company to you. This enables you to find out more about the role that may not have been outlined in the job advertisement, such as the company’s positive approach to work-life balance, flexible working hours or energetic culture.

 

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS ROLE?

It’s important to ask this question in order to get a clear idea of the expectations should you be offered the role. It also implies to the interviewer that achieving results in a role is important to you. Being driven and motivated are qualities that any potential employer would value in a candidate. If you have the time, try to be more specific and ask what the goals are for the next quarter so you can get a broad overview of not only the work that lies ahead, but also any challenges that you may need to be prepared to overcome.

 

WHAT DOES THE COMPANY VALUE MOST IN EMPLOYEES?

Will you be judged purely based on your ability to meet targets or does the company value innovation as well? Companies often have a different ethos when it comes to what constitutes a valuable employee so this is a great way to gauge whether you’re likely to thrive in a role. This is an ideal way to determine whether the company culture is the right fit for you.

 

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE TEAM I WOULD BE WORKING WITH?

You spend a significant amount of time with your colleagues so it’s important gain an insight into the team you’d be working with. It’s helpful to know whether you’d be walking into a small tight-knit team or a large department, as well as an overview of the other roles you’d be working closely with. This gives the interviewer a chance to imagine you in the role, and shows that you’re a team player interested in collaborating with others.