Do you ask questions to the employer at the end of an interview?
If your answer is no, then you should consider rethinking your position. Because asking questions at the end of an interview has various benefits.
On the one hand it will allow you to find out crucial information on the company and the team to make up your mind if you really want to work there. On the other hand, it will allow you to show the employer that you are truly interested in the job.
Remember, each question also says something about you. So make sure to ask strong questions at the end of an interview.
In this blog post we will give you some exemplary questions and a short explanation on why this question is important to ask during an interview.
Different type of questions to ask in an interview
There are different types of questions you can ask during an interview. Each intended to give you insights on important aspects of the company and the role. In general we can talk about 4 main categories of questions:
- Business specific questions (e.g., questions on the industry, the product/service, the company mission etc.)
- Company’s culture specific questions (e.g., asking about the work culture, the leadership style etc.)
- Role specific questions (e.g., challenges of the job, expectations on the role etc.)
- Work specific questions (e.g., salary, additional benefits, working conditions etc.)
In general during an interview, you will only have the chance to ask around 3-4 questions, so make sure to select questions in different categories to get better insights. We also recommend having a list of 5-6 questions prepared but prioritize your top 3 questions that you want to start with to make sure you get answers on those.
In the following you will find 7 questions, in the different categories mentioned above that you can ask at the end of an interview to leave a very good impression. Let’s take a closer look.
1. How would you describe the leadership style within this team?
This is a very good question for two reasons. It first of all shows you value leadership, which is always a great trait in any candidate. And secondly, it will give you important information, as you should always try to work for a leader that actually inspires you and allows you to grow within the job.
2. In your opinion, what makes the company stand out from its competitors?
This question will provide you with great insights that you can utilize for your next interview round on why you want to work there. It will also show you how the company sets itself apart from others which can also help you in the decision making process. From the company perspective it will show them that you truly care about working at the best company possible.
3. What makes the best employee for this job stand out?
The good thing about this question is that it not only shows the employer that you truly want to become the best employee possible but it also allows you to gain key insights that you can use when you start working there. Make sure to take notes on this answer.
4. What is the development opportunity here that employees value the most?
This question is an upgraded version of the very commonly used question “What training/development opportunities do you offer for your employees?”. It pushes the employer to truly have to select what they consider the most important opportunity they offer and gives you great insights into what you can expect once you start working there. From the employer perspective you are showing them that you value growth and development.
5. What challenges will an employee in this role need to focus on solving within the next six months?
With this question you are showing the employer that you like solving challenges, which always leaves a good impression. It also shows that you are aware that every job will also bring challenges but that you are not afraid of them.
On the other hand, you will gain more realistic insights into the job to make a better decision if this is actually the right job for you. And of course, these insights will help you adapt your interview pitch in the next round, telling them how you will help them solve the specific challenges you now know more about.
6. Is there anything you personally would want to improve in the company’s work culture?
Of course this will be a rather uncomfortable question for the employer to answer. However it also shows that you truly want to understand the culture to make the best decision for yourself. Challenging questions can also make you stand out from other candidates. The question is very good because you can expect a very honest answer that will provide you with some key insights into your work life in this company.
7. Which of my skills do you think will be the most important ones for this job?
This is a very strategic question, as you are basically asking the employer to name the skills and competencies that make you stand out for the job. This is a great way to end an interview on a very positive note and will also show you which skills to highlight in a further interview step with the company.
Conclusion: The questions to ask in your interview
It is very important to prepare questions for interviews. As mentioned, this will help you make a better decision in regards to your new job but also shows the employer that you are truly interested in the company and the role. Make sure to choose questions that cover different categories to get a more rounded perspective. Also be very strategic on which questions to ask as every question can help you gain insights that might be key for the next interview round and ideally also for the start in the job.
Now, if you are currently in the process of looking for jobs in Germany and finding it a bit difficult, we highly recommend you to check out our brand new masterclass that will help you land more job interviews in Germany. And when you do, you will be able to ask all these amazing interview questions. Ready? Find out more and enroll for the masterclass by clicking here.
