Asking questions is a fundamental part of your interview. Once you have been past the questioning baton, it is your moment to shine. You should use the opportunity wisely to show that you were listening while your interviewer spoke, to convey your interest in the company and to clarify whether or not it is where you want to work.
We often receive feedback from clients after they have interviewed our candidates and we thought that we would share with you our favourite four questions to impress your interviewer.
1. How would you describe the company’s culture?
This is a MUST question! By asking this question, candidates show that they want to further understand the people, environment and philosophy of the company. The answer to this question will help you to gauge whether or not you will fit into the company while also showing that you have a genuine interest.
2. What would you look for in an ideal candidate?
This question is a great way to assess whether what you are offering matches up with what the company is looking for.
Furthermore, asking the interviewer what it takes to be the ideal candidate suggests to them that you want to know the skills necessary in order to become that ideal candidate.
3. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications?
Although it may seem counterproductive to draw your interviewer to any of your potential weaknesses, asking this question shows that you are confident enough to discuss and reflect upon them with your potential employer. Not only that, but it allows you the opportunity to iron out any doubts that they might have about your application.
4. What do you like most about working for this company?
This is a great question to ask as it gives the interviewer an opportunity to offer their opinion about the company, giving you a valuable insider’s perspective on what it would be like to work there.
One thing that we noted when talking to our clients is that you should always do your research before asking questions! As Edith Cooper, Goldman Sachs’ HR chief, points out in an interview with Business Insider “The best questions that candidates ask in an interview are the ones that they can’t get an answer to in other places”.