Ask These Four Essential Questions at the End of Your Interview

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


Preparing for a job interview can be tough; you rehearse your answers to a myriad of tricky questions while trying to keep your nerves from getting the best of you. While practicing your answers, be sure to think of a few questions of your own to ask during the interview. Not sure where to start? Consider the following four thoughtful questions.

1. "What do you like about working here?"

Right off the bat, this question creates a bit of a role reversal, as it puts the interviewer on the spot. It's a great question to ask, because it gives you greater insight into what working for the company might really be like through the eyes of the hiring manager. Listen for clues when the interviewer responds. Enthusiasm about the people or the culture are good signs that the company is a happy, welcoming place. Hesitation or a vague response might be a red flag.

2. "What changes does the company anticipate in the next few years?"

Asking this question demonstrates your intention to be with the company for the long haul as well as your interest in the company's success. Hiring managers want candidates who are invested in their company's long-term growth. The information you gather from the interviewer's answer can also help you formulate your answers to questions later in the interview. Try to weave together the company's future goals with your expertise, and emphasize how you plan to help the company meet its objectives.

3. "Is there any reason why you wouldn't want to hire me?"

This question can be intimidating to ask during the interview because it is so straightforward. "This one question is something I would suggest every single candidate ask," says Kelsey Meyer, former president of Digital Talent Agents in Columbia, Missouri. It offers the interviewer a chance to communicate any reservations he may have about you and gives you a fantastic opportunity to address them right away and offer any needed clarification. "If you have the guts to ask it, I don't think you'll regret it," says Meyer. It's much better to know ahead of time what hesitations an employer might have about you rather than leave the interview on a confident high only to get rejected later.

4. "What are the next steps?"

If you don't get around to asking any other questions during the interview, at least ask this one. After all is said and done, inquiring about the next steps in the hiring process shows that you're sincerely interested in moving forward, and it obliges the interviewer to give you a concrete time frame in which to expect a callback.

Although your answers to the interviewer's questions are important, the questions you ask are certain to make a lasting impression. Asking questions during the interview shows that you're not just another candidate looking for any job, but a sincerely interested prospect who wants to help the company succeed.


Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Judy Farrell
    Judy Farrell

    Thank you so much Nancy. I really needed closure on that negative experience.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Judy Farrell thanks for your comment. Kind of sounds like maybe the position was already filled (probably from within) but, legally, they still had to advertise and interview. Sorry that you had to go through that. It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. After all, there are only so many questions that you can ask and that interviewer knew it. Let this one go and move on. Don't let this one interview ruin it for the next interview.

  • Judy Farrell
    Judy Farrell

    I recently interviewed for a position that was not my first choice for employment. I had done a great deal of research about the company, it was apparent in the conversation. At the end of the interview I asked for input on our meeting. I was told I needed to ask more questions, regardless of my research and regardless of whether the questions had been answered already in our conversation. I'd asked a few really good questions - they even commented when I asked them.
    That comment really made me mad as I'm a polished professional and been in far better/higher positions than the one I was interviewing for. They had asked if I was talking to other companies, I told them I was. They asked if it was in their line of business, I said no. Was that the problem? Any input?

  • ARVIND PATEL
    ARVIND PATEL

    Thanks for the best advice

  • Peter Morisco
    Peter Morisco

    Great tips.

  • Yvonne C.
    Yvonne C.

    Thanks for the advice.

  • Ernest V.
    Ernest V.

    Thanks for the valued information

  • Deborah E.
    Deborah E.

    Super Information, Thanks

  • mohammed zillur rahman mone m.
    mohammed zillur rahman mone m.

    Yes

  • Elaina Hannaford
    Elaina Hannaford

    Thanks again Nancy for helping me narrow down the top four questions to ask at the end of an interview. I tend to over speak due to anxiety and I asked my interviewer six questions. The four that you mentioned I had asked. I will from now on keep it under wraps. Fortunetally, I received the job!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Jeffrey N thanks for your comment. Crazy isn't it? I am guessing that you did not accept the position? I know I would have second and third thoughts about accepting a position with a company that is that wishy-washy!

  • JEFFREY N.
    JEFFREY N.

    This is good advice. It is important to understand the interview is both ways. I have been offered positions after being told I was not what they were looking for; by just turning the interview around. When I began asking questions that caused them to convince me this is a place I would want to work they convinced themselves I was who they wanted.

  • Joel S.
    Joel S.

    Excellent advice!

  • Marisela Galvan
    Marisela Galvan

    Oh I almost forgot, thank you! :)

  • Marisela Galvan
    Marisela Galvan

    This advise and information are 100% the most useful and critical for me to know. Most definitely the smartest on point information that I have read online in a VERY LONG TIME!!!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Elodia C thanks for your comment. As long as the hospital is giving the same test to everyone, it's legal. Many companies make you take some type of assessment test before they will even consider calling you in for an interview. I just watched my sister jump through all of these hoops before she landed a job. It's possible that the hospital is looking for a certain type of employee but, again, as long as the same testing is given to everyone, you just have to move on. But be prepared to take an assessment with the next hospital, too. It seems to be a pretty consistent trend for hospitals, banks and retail to name a few.

  • Elodia C.
    Elodia C.

    Hospitals that require a "test" and tell you it's neither "a pass or fail" - I took this test and told I was not a good match- so was not hired! Is this legal? I feel that these facilities are looking for employees that will Conform instead of emoyees competence in their field

  • ingrid f.
    ingrid f.

    Thanks for the advice.

  • Joseph D.
    Joseph D.

    Great advice, thanks.

  • Janessa B.
    Janessa B.

    These are good questions,thanks because I always want to know why they wouldn't hire me.

  • Renie A.
    Renie A.

    Thanks. .. informative..will test it in next interview.

  • Patricia D.
    Patricia D.

    Thanks for the good advice

  • Paula D.
    Paula D.

    Great advise will be using this technique when attending interviews thank you

  • Chornelle A.
    Chornelle A.

    Good experiences shared. Great advice

  • conchita a.
    conchita a.

    i learned from it.

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