3 Hard-Hitting Questions You Must Ask After An Interview

As seen on Forbes.

In any interview, you are most likely to encounter two questions: “Tell me about yourself” and “Do you have any questions for us?” Many people struggle to find a structure that will encapsulate their skills and show their personality for the first question, but fret not; check out this video to help you make an excellent first impression.

The other question often signals that the interview has come to an end. However, you have to make the most of this opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager. 

First off, don’t say that you don’t have any questions. It makes you seem unprepared or disinterested in the role you’re applying for. Also, make sure that you don’t ask questions that a recruiter could easily answer, such as “When will I find out if I got the job?” or “Are there other steps to the application process I should prepare for?”

Instead, ask these questions to your interviewer to demonstrate your curiosity, engagement, and preparedness for the interview: 

“What’s Your Favorite Part About Working Here?” 

A Glassdoor survey revealed that over 77% of adults in the US, UK, France, and Germany consider a company’s work culture before applying for a job and accepting a job offer. And so should you. Company culture affects not only your work situation but your overall well-being outside of work. 

When given a chance to ask a question, probe about the company’s culture, whether there is a good work-life balance, or if it’s a potentially toxic workplace, based on how your interviewer answers what their favorite part is about working in that company. 

You can even spice up the question by adding some context in the beginning, like “In the past X years you’ve been here, what’s the best part of working here and what makes you stay?” This shows that you’ve been doing your research before the interview and genuinely want to get to know more about them. 

“Amongst Your New Hires, What Do Top Talent Do That Make Them Stand Out?” 

When you’re new at a job, you’d, of course, want to find out how your hard work would be noticed by management. So, it’s good to start asking about this during your interview. Their response can help you better understand characteristics or behaviors that contribute to the company’s success.

Asking about the company’s top performers also shows that you’re interested in understanding what it takes to excel. It can also help you determine how to fast-track a promotion in this company and find opportunities for career growth within it. 

“How Do You Assess Company Values In Your Team Members?”

Asking about the company’s values could give you insights into the work environment, management style, and team interactions. It also helps you understand the guiding principles that influence business strategies, priorities, and actions. 

If you’re considering a long-term career within the company, knowing its value allows you to evaluate whether your career goals align with the company so you can make informed decisions about your future with them. 

31% of employees say they are being assessed about their work performance annually, while 18% reported being assessed bi-annually, a Workhuman research showed. Understanding what values employees look for and how they are evaluated is important in getting better feedback during performance review seasons, especially if you’re eyeing a promotion. 

Keep in mind that interviews aren’t only meant for interviewers to get to know you, but also for you to assess whether they’re a fit for you. By posing thoughtful questions, you gain insights about the role and the company and showcase your genuine interest in working there. So the next time you’re in an interview and hear, “Do you have any questions for us?” seize the opportunity to ask, learn, and impress!