This question is almost a certainty. During a job interview, the interviewer will turn the tables and ask you, “Do you have any questions?” Use this gift of an opportunity to gain a clear insight into the specifics of the organisation and your role in it. I wrote an article for City AM on this question you can read here.
This is not a polite way to end the interview and usher you out of the room quickly before they cross you off their list. It is another interview question and should be treated as such. It is also a huge chance to move from defensive “I” answers to interview-winning “we” territory.
This predictable interview moment lets you showcase your enthusiasm, readiness, strategic thinking, and preparation. Ask impactful, future-focused questions, and use this moment to leverage yourself to gain deeper insights into the company and create a lasting impression.
15 Questions: Do you have any Questions?
Understand company culture
Enquire about the company culture and dynamics. Use this moment to ask about the values, team collaboration efforts and overall work environment. This will demonstrate your efforts to fit seamlessly into the broader organisational fabric of the company.
Question: Can you give more insights into the company culture, and how would you describe the team dynamics?
Clarify expectations for the role.
Ask about critical responsibilities, immediate prioritisation, and potential challenges. This question, in particular, showcases your long-term commitment and ambition. Signalling that you are highly interested in growing within the organisation.
Question: Could you expand on the role’s day-to-day responsibilities and any potential challenges a new hire would face?
Explore opportunities for professional growth.
Enquire about opportunities for professional development and growth within the company. This question immediately brings your ambition to the forefront and signals to the interviewer that you are interested in a long-term commitment to the organisation and taking your career path and development seriously.
Question: How does this company support employees’ professional development and growth? Are there any specific opportunities for advancement within the company?
Discuss team dynamics
Explore the dynamics of the team you will work with early on. Question the team structure and collaboration styles. Understanding the dynamics showcases your effort to be a collaborative team player within a larger framework.
Question: Can you elaborate on the team structure and the collaborative process within the team? How does the team typically approach a challenge?
Inquire about the company’s plans.
Be sure to show your interest in the company’s future trajectory. This question shows your forward-thinking manner and interest in the company’s stability and potential for growth.
Question: What upcoming projects or initiatives is the company currently focusing on? Can you share any insights into the company’s plans?
Seek insights from the interviewer’s own experience
Inquire about the interviewer’s personal experience within the organisation. Ask what they find to be most enjoyable working there, as well as what is the most challenging. Not only will this provide valuable insights, but it will also humanise the interview process.
Question: I’m curious about your experience working with the company. What do you find most rewarding about your role, and what challenges have you faced in the organisation?
Understand the onboarding process.
Ask about how the company will support new hires in the onboarding process. This demonstrates your eagerness to integrate seamlessly into the company’s workflow.
Question: How does the company facilitate the onboarding process for new hires? Are there any mechanisms supporting a smooth transition into the role?
Clarify the performance evaluation process.
Seek information on the performance evaluation process. Ask about any feedback mechanisms, performance indicators and growth assessments. This question signals your desire for ongoing growth as an employee and your aim to align with the company’s goals.
Question: Could you provide information on the company’s performance evaluation process? What key performance indicators are typically considered, and how is feedback given to the employees?
Enquire about workplace diversity and inclusion.
Explore what efforts or programs are in place to uphold and promote diversity within the workplace. This question demonstrates your aim to work in a diverse workplace and enforce a supportive environment.
Question: I value diversity and inclusion. Can you share more about the company’s approach to fostering a diverse and unique workplace? Are there any specific initiatives or programs in place?
Address the next steps in the hiring process.
Ask about the next steps in the hiring process. Inquire about the expected timeline for decisions regarding a new hire and express your enthusiasm about working in the new environment. This question signals your eagerness to move forward in the process.
Question: What are the next steps in the decision-making process, and is there an expected timeline? I am excited about the opportunity and want to understand the process.
Helping the Team and Company Perform Better
Asking how you can contribute beyond your expectations shows you are a proactive and valuable team member. Asking this question will make you stand out as a highly collaborative candidate who values the overall success of the company.
Question: Apart from the job, how could I help the team/company perform better?
Key Achievements for the First 14/60 Days in the Role
Understanding the short-term goals demonstrates your willingness to hit the ground running from the outset. This question shows that you are results-driven from day one and align with the company’s immediate goals.
Question: Assuming I fit the role, what’s the most important thing I should achieve in the first 14/60 days?
Valued Skills, Traits, and Characteristics at This Company
This question shows that you align with the valued company culture and are willing to demonstrate certain qualities they prize as an organisation.
Question: What skills, traits and characteristics does this company value the most?
The Company’s Mentoring Program and How It Works
asking about mentoring shows that you are committed to organisational growth. This also helps you understand how invested the company is in employee advancement in areas such as skills.
Question: Is there a mentoring programme, and how does it work?
Demonstrating the Right Qualities for the Role
This question helps you understand any potential gaps within your presentation. It also gives the interviewer the opportunity to highlight any areas of improvement that you will need.
Question: This position sounds even better now, and I am really excited about it. Is there anything that I should demonstrate to you today that I haven’t yet?
Meeting and Exceeding Expectations in the First 6/12 Months
Asking about long-term success helps you understand the company benchmarks. This question demonstrates that you are forward-thinking and eager to exceed expectations.
Question: What should I have achieved or proven 6/12 months from now to demonstrate that I have met or exceeded your expectations?
What Attracts Employees to This Organization
This question allows you to build a rapport with the interviewer and gauge why employees stay in this company, highlighting the valued benefits that you might receive.
Question: What attracted you to the organization?
Mastering the art of asking thoughtful questions in an interview showcases your eagerness to join a company and allows you to stand out against other potential new hires. The “Do you have any questions?” moment is not just a formality; it’s the interviewer’s final chess move to determine whether you will fit into the company dynamic. It is a massive opportunity – a question that you know is coming and should be fully prepared for.
To read more on interview questions, Anticipating Key Interview Questions and Crafting Impactful Responses
Choose from the interview courses available here or buy Filtered OUT The Workbook on Amazon here.
The first link is here https://filteredout.co.uk/interview-coaching/
The FOW link is here https://amzn.to/3T41NUW
