Yes! An invitation to interview for your dream job...
You’ve done your research and are feeling confident and ready to talk about your skill set, all while demonstrating your amazing attitude, strengths and achievements.
The interviewer has given you a good overview of the role, what’s expected and an insight into what it feels like to be part of the team.
So far, so good, but suddenly your mind goes blank; how do you tackle the 'Have you got any questions?' question?
Keep it simple;
- What are you looking for in an ideal candidate?
- What do you think the biggest challenges of working in the role will be?
- Are there opportunities for training/ career progression opportunities? (depending on the role.)
- How do you /does the company measure success?
- Can you describe the working culture? (if they haven’t done so already.)
- What do you enjoy most about working here? / How long have you worked here?
- Is there anything they need clarification on, anything you haven’t answered fully enough or anything which you can reassure them about?
What NOT to ask…
- Can I bring my dog to the office? (This a fair question, but possibly not appropriate during a first-stage interview. Focus on the role, and if all has gone well, this can be broached later.)
- What does the company do? ( Ensure you research the role/company and view the website before the interview.)
- Who are your competitors? (This should be easy to research, and they may be hesitant to share – are you about to give the competition a call if this doesn’t go so well?)
- When can I expect a salary review or promotion? (It’s great to have ambition and a desire to excel in the role, however, could imply you are not interested in the role you are interviewing for.)
- What is your sick pay policy? (A fair question, but not appropriate at a first-stage interview and definitely off-putting to prospective employers.)
DO remember – this is an exploration for both sides to get to know each other; Relax, enjoy, and if it’s meant to be, it will happen!
