You MUST ask questions at the end of your interview

The interview is your first opportunity to make a positive impression on a potential employer. It is an opportunity to have a conversation, build a rapport and gather information about the job profile and the company. Most hiring managers expect candidates to ask questions; not asking questions makes you appear unprepared and incompetent. You need to make sure that you are not just prepared for some most commonly asked interview questions or questions that relate to your expertise, but also remember that intelligent questions from your side leave an equally lasting and positive impression on the interviewer. How many of you have given a rather wishy-washy answer to the question “Do you have any questions for me?” with “No, not really.” Lame questions, such as “How long is the probation period?”, or “When do we get the salary?” shows you in poor light. Here are some examples of questions that can put you in a positive light

1.    What is the scope for career progression?

It clearly indicates that you have career ambitions and want to make sure that they are realised within this specific organization. It will also reveal how the organization nurtures and promotes talent. Also, it could help you learn if they offer continued training or professional development for employees.

2.    What are the company’s future growth plans and how can I contribute to that?

This is an excellent way of showing the recruiter that you are looking at a bigger picture and want to stay in the company in the long run. It would indicate that you are willing to leave a lasting impression in whichever company you are working in.

3.    What are your expectations for this role in the first few months?

The job description can give you an overview of the day-to-day responsibilities associated with that position; however, you would still be quite ignorant when it comes to the goals that are outlined for that role. Ask them if there is a roadmap that they would like you to follow. Is there a certain metric they will use to evaluate your performance?  Or is there a particular project that they are hoping that person will get moving on almost immediately? If you end up accepting an offer, you want to do so with the knowledge that you both have the same knowledge and expectations.

Here are some more questions that you may find useful:

4.    What are the soft skills that I may require for the job profile?

5.    Who would I be reporting to?

6.    Would I get a chance to meet the person I am reporting to in the interview process?

7.    What were the challenges faced by people at this position?

8.    What are the qualities that you are looking for in an employee?

9.    What are the major challenges I would face in the first few months?

10.  Can you tell me something about the company culture?