May 26, 2015, by Laura Estrop
The best and worst questions to ask during a job interview
By Laura Estrop, Social Media Officer
If you have a job interview coming up, you may have heard about the importance of asking a good, memorable question at the end of the interview. While preparing for the answers you’ll give can be tricky and time consuming, preparing for the “do you have any questions?” question might not be something you had considered.
Today we aim to rectify this; here are our top five best and worst questions to ask during that all important job interview.
Top five best:
1. You mentioned that you implemented X last year, how would this affect my role within the company?
Listening to the interviewer and asking questions about elements of the company that he or she mentions shows that you are engaged and interested in the role.
2. From my research, I noticed that you do a lot of X, how would this affect my job role?
Doing research about the company is crucial preparation before any form of interview. Asking questions that you have come across from your research shows that you have actively thought about the meeting and are eager to make a good impression.
3. Will there be any opportunities for my own professional development during this role?
Asking about your own personal development is something that will show the employer that you are keen to learn and grow within the company.
4. What do you enjoy the most and least about working for this company?
It may seem a little informal to ask this, but it is a great way to see how the interviewer views the company on a personal level.
5. What are the biggest challenges facing the company/department right now?
This will show that you are interested in the company, its future and also the interviewer’s perspective on the current marketplace.
You’ve seen the good, now let’s see the top five worst questions:
1.How do you think I am doing?
Even though you may really want to know how you did in the interview, phrasing this sort of question in this manner can come across as desperate or unsure of yourself. Instead ask something along the lines of: “What types of strengths do you value for this role?” this way you can see what is expected of you and it may give you a hint as to how the role will be structured if you get the job.
2. How many days holiday do I get?
Although you may think this is a relatively sensible question to ask, it is likely that information like this may already be included in the job description. Make sure you carefully read the job description and any documents you receive from the company before going into the interview.
3. How late is being too late?
This doesn’t put a very good impression of yourself forward and could also signal to the employer that you aren’t going to be very reliable.
4. When can I start using the company discount?
While they may have amazing offers or discounts, asking about them at the interview stage could show that your reasons for getting the job are not as pure as the employer may have thought. Avoid asking about any company incentives or discounts until you start the job.
5. Can I leave at 4pm on Fridays?
Remember that you’re at the job interview; you haven’t got the job yet. Asking for special treatment during the interview could show the employer that you can’t commit to the job they advertised.
If you’re still unsure about job interviews and would like some help preparing for an interview visit our website. You can also book an appointment with a careers advisor and talk through any questions you may have.
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