Have you ever found yourself feeling confident in a job interview until the hiring manager throws you off guard by asking, “Do you have any questions for us?”. Some might think that exiting an interview without asking any questions is perfectly fine, but did you know it could actually decrease your chances of securing the role?

Having smart questions to ask in an interview might put you ahead of your competitors!

But keep in mind that while you need to ask some questions, you shouldn’t bombard your interviewer with an overwhelming amount. Ideally, having a few questions to ask will make you stand out and help you make an informed decision about the role.

Here are a few smart questions to ask in an interview:

• What does your ideal candidate look like, and how would they succeed?

Asking this question will help you understand what the company is looking for and if you’re suitable for the role. This will also allow your interviewer to address how they measure success at their company and what they will expect of you if you’re successful—which is beneficial for both parties to discuss.

• What is the company culture like?

This question will provide you with insightful information about the organisation and what you could expect working at the company. You’ll be able to gauge if your interviewer is passionate about answering this question and what the business prioritises which will give you a fair idea of what they truly value and most importantly what they don’t.

• What would my typical responsibilities be in this role?

Understanding what your responsibilities would be is crucial to know when deciding whether to proceed with the job. Asking this question will not only give you insight into the role itself, but if these tasks align greatly with your skillset, it can boost your confidence during the interview and in any second or third interview stages too increasing your chances of securing the role.

• How does this position fit into the company’s long-term goals?

Understanding how the role will contribute to the company’s long-term success will demonstrate your interest in the business and show your level of commitment and plans to achieve success for the organisation.

• What are the next steps?

It’s important that you leave the interview knowing what to expect next. There’s nothing more stressful than being kept in the dark about whether you’ve been successful or not—so ensure you ask for a timeline. This will help ease your mind while you wait.

During your interview, ensure that you also:

1.     Don’t shy away from asking the essential questions

You’re interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing you. Remember to ask all your deal-breaker questions and don’t let your nerves deter you from finding out what you need to know about the role or company.

2.     Ask all your questions throughout the entire duration of the interview

Don’t save your questions for the end. Instead, make the interview as conversational as possible and ask the questions you need to know throughout the meeting where it feels natural to do so.

3.     Seek clarification on any vague answers

If one of the answers to your questions hasn’t been clearly addressed, don’t hesitate to ask for a further explanation so you can walk away feeling confident about the position.

Have a question for us? If you’re a job seeker on the lookout for your next role, a hiring manager looking to fill a position, or want to know about other smart questions to ask in an interview to best increase your chances, contact us at Humanised Group! We’re here to help you succeed.