“Surprisingly, the most common answer to the interview question, "Do you have any questions?" is no” say Monster.com.
This is the wrong answer.
Employers use this question to really differentiate between the candidates. It’s your opportunity to stand out and demonstrate that you have thought properly about your suitability for the position, as well as identifying and addressing any reservations the interviewer might have about your application. Below we’ve outlined some questions you can ask at your next interview - but it’s vital that you choose questions to ask that will be genuinely useful to you.
Why has the position become available?
This is a good way to identify exactly why the company are advertising the job – is it a new position within an expanding company, or is the previous person leaving, and why?
What is the management structure and style of the company or department?
You can assess exactly how much responsibility you will be given in your new role, as well as finding out how organised the company is, whether their way of working will suit you and vice versa.
Can you describe what my typical day would be like in this role?
This can help you identify which areas of the role you will spend most of your time doing and if it matches your expectations.
Is there anything you would like to improve about the company that you feel I can help with?
This question will open a discussion with your interviewer about just how valuable you could be to the company and give you a chance to share any ideas you might have, whilst giving the impression that you care about the future of the company and want to be a part of it.
How would my performance be measured or reviewed?
As well as giving an insight into exactly how you can impress the employer, you can identify their priorities and present yourself as a performance-driven individual.
What type of training opportunities do you offer?
Thinking about how you can improve your suitability for the job through skill-building is not a sign that you are underqualified – it shows that you are dedicated and want to help the company move forward by progressing yourself.
Do you have any reservations about my application? Is there anything that would prevent you from hiring me?
This is a risky question, but if you feel the interview is going well, asking your employer if they have any doubts about you there and then means that you can quickly put them at ease and dispel those doubts.