7 Smart Questions to Ask During Your Job Interview

True enough, a job interview’s primary purpose is for the interviewer or employer to know if you are a good fit for a position they’re looking to fill. Naturally, the interviewer will be the one to have more questions prepared. However, you should consider every job interview as a two-way street. 

The job interview also gives you a chance to learn more about the company and the team you might work with, and see if they are a good fit for you. Remember, you should not compromise your values and goals just to get a job. When you ask the right questions when the interview says, “do you have any questions?”, you’ll know if working with that company will take you a step closer to your goals.

Without further ado, here are the seven smart questions you should ask during your next job interview:

1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities associated with this job?

Job ads may not always tell all. During your interview, take the chance to learn more about the job, so you’d know what to expect when you get hired. Knowing what the day-to-day responsibilities look like will also allow you to think whether this is something that you really want to do. It also helps you align your expectations with your strengths and skills.

2. What specific values do you value the most as a company? What qualities do you expect from employees to be able to represent those values?

You want to dig deep and learn about the company’s values and culture. Asking this question gives you an idea of what they value the most in general. You’ll get the vibe whether they’re only after profit or if they put employees in high regard.

3. How is success measured in this position?

This question will show that you want to excel in the role when you get hired. It’s essential to know if the company has a system for evaluating success and performance. Do they have set key performance indicators (KPIs)? How and when are they evaluated?

4. Is there room for growth and development in this position?

If your goal is to climb up the career ladder, you’d want to know if this position will give you the means to do so. It will be great if the company has a learning and development program. You should also find out if it’s possible to be promoted after some time of working with the company and exhibiting great performance.

5. What’s the most challenging aspect of this role?

Asking this question allows you to gauge whether the benefits outweigh the challenges. You also want to know what kind of issues or problems you might have to deal with when you get hired for the position.

6. Why do you like working here?

If the interviewer enthusiastically talks about his or her experience while working in the company, there’s a good chance that work conditions are great. However, if the interviewer seems taken aback by the question and finds themselves struggling for words, it could be a red flag.

7. What’s the next step?

If you think you nailed this interview and you want the job, show your enthusiasm by asking what’s the next step and when can you expect an update. 

Some of these questions may already be answered as your interview goes along. So, make sure to take mental notes and do not repeat a question that’s already been discussed. Otherwise, you’ll look as if you weren’t paying attention. If you already got the answers to all of the questions you have in mind, you can also tell the interviewer that. Thank them for their time and for letting you learn a lot about the job and the company.

Find these tips useful? We have more career advice, workplace tips, and job search tips on our blog. If you’re looking for jobs in the Philippines or abroad, sign up now and start applying!

Photo by Johanna Buguet on Unsplash