5 Compelling Questions to Ask at Your Job Interview

5 Compelling Questions to Ask at Your Job Interview
Jobstreet content teamupdated on 10 March, 2022
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questions to ask your interviewer

"Do you have any questions?"

It is a fairly standard closer to any job interview, but for some reason it's also one that catches the job seeker by surprise, rendering them unable to answer.

As the interviewee, we prepare so much for the questions they give us that we forget that we should be asking our questions, too. Remember that the interview should help you determine whether you're a good fit for the role, and asking questions can help you figure that out.

To help you get started, we've listed some sample questions to ask your interviewer below.

Wait, why should I be asking questions at my job interview?

An interview isn't just a fact-finding session for your future employer, it's also a conversation between you and the hirer. And in all conversations, asking questions would help both parties understand the other better.

On your end, asking questions is another way of showing your competence to your interviewer. By being inquisitive, you're showing the interviewer that you're very interested in the position and that you want to learn more about it. It also shows that you've put in a decent amount of preparation before your meeting. By giving them insightful questions, it shows that you've thought a lot about the role and how it can impact you, as well as how you can contribute to their objectives.

Our Global Talent Survey found that Singaporeans' priorities have shifted due to the pandemic. You probably have a list of the ideal job and ideal employer you would like to work for in this pandemic landscape - do they offer hybrid work setups? Does the company have wellbeing programs to check on their workers' mental health? Asking questions can help you find out what the company can do for you, and whether that aligns with your priorities at the moment.

Make the most of the time with your interviewer by asking the right questions. Read up on the role and read up on the company. Prepare questions (five is a good number, in case some already come up during your interview) that can help you decide if the opportunity is something worth taking. Avoid yes or no questions and questions about salaries and benefits.

How do you measure an employee's success?

Asking the interviewer how they measure your success is essentially asking them how you can be good at your job. "How can I do well? What do I need to do so that my boss will be satisfied or impressed with my performance?"

This question can help you dissect the job description better. While the list of responsibilities written in the job posting all apply to the role, it's different when you hear them explained to you in a conversation. By listening carefully to how your interviewer answers, you might find that some responsibilities are more important than others.

Furthermore, this can show your interviewer that you are eager to learn. They might be impressed that you are after results and seem ready to take on what the job entails. You can also ask questions like "What are you hoping the person in this position will accomplish in their first six months/year?" which gives you an idea as to how fast you should be learning, as well as to what tasks and projects are up ahead.

What are the common challenges the team encounters?

If asking about how to succeed gets the interviewer to explain the job description better, asking about challenges gives insight to things beyond the job description.

Learning about the challenges can help you understand the job from a closer perspective. What's a challenging day at work like? How does the team deal with it? What's the teamwork dynamic like? These are questions that usually get answered when you're already on the job - whether you experience them for yourself or you ask your colleagues for tips - but would be very helpful when learned beforehand.

This can also help you discern better if the job is right for you. If you think the challenges are experiences you're willing to take on, or if you feel like you'll be in over your head, better to know it now than after you've signed the contract.

What is the growth opportunity in this role?

Asking this question shows that you are a forward-thinker. While most people might just be thinking about the benefits and compensation - just past the idea of getting a job offer - you're already thinking about the future.

It is also a show of confidence. You're showing them that you know you have what it takes, that you're already imagining what it would look like to step up the ladder. However, be careful not to be overconfident. Arrogance can be off-putting for your future employer, with 72% of HR professionals rating it as "the biggest personality turnoff" in a study.

Career experts warn that discussing your skills in generalities (without offering proof), stretching the truth, and denying weaknesses and failures will put you in an arrogant light. It's enough to be confident in yourself, and in the skills that got you this far in the first place. There's no need to pretend to be perfect.

Can you describe the company culture?

With people working from home and away from the office, company culture seems more important than ever. How does the company keep its team together when everyone's in a virtual space? It's best to learn how the company treats its employees from the get-go, especially during this pandemic.

Ask about the company's values and vision-mission, something that you can find on their website but can be better explained in person. It can help you check whether their values align with yours and if you would be willing to support the causes they support.

Ask your interviewer what kind of employees thrive in their culture. It gives you an idea as to whether or not you're a good fit for the job. You'll also find out what kind of characteristics the hiring manager finds important or unattractive, which gives you a clue to their management style, too.

Company culture is a major factor in talent retention. In this pandemic era where workers have found themselves reassessing their priorities, a company culture that does not jive with theirs is immediately scratched out of the list.

Where does the company aspire to be in five years?

You're sure to get a question like this directed at you, and now is the chance for you to flip the script. Asking about their five-year plan gives you an insight into the company's strategy, their place in the market, and how you can play a part in that growth.

Furthermore, you can also get an idea about job stability. You'll learn how stable the company is while also showing them you're committed to staying in the company for several years.

Asking the right questions can prove helpful for your job-seeking experience. It gives you additional information about the company you won't find on the website, and it shows your interviewer how interested you are in their job posting. So don't be afraid to question - when in doubt, go ahead and ask!

Check out our Career Resources page for more tips on how you can ace that job interview. It also offers expert insights and advice that could help give a boost to your career journey.

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