What are good questions to ask in a job interview?

Ensuring that you have the right questions to ask in your job interview will not only impress your interviewer, but also get you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to move forward.

In this blog, we’ll suggest some ideas for how you can do this effectively, without it coming across as though you’re only interested in the paycheque.

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Why is it important to ask the right questions during the interview?

Asking the right questions in a job interview can help you to:

Build a rapport. Turning your job interview into a conversation will give your interviewer a better sense of who you are and whether you’re the right fit for the role and team. This can be particularly helpful in a remote job interview.
Show that you’re engaged. By actively listening and thinking about the role and organisation, you’re demonstrating your enthusiasm.
Determine whether the role is right for you. A job interview also offers you the opportunity to see whether the employer matches your ambitions and preferences. Make sure you take advantage.

What shouldn’t you ask about in a job interview?

On the other hand, the wrong questions can make you seem disinterested or unenthusiastic. That’s not to say that your curiosity isn’t valid; however, this isn’t the time to discuss the following:

Salary/remuneration: By the time you’re interviewing with a hiring manager, you should have already discussed pay with your recruiter. If you haven’t, you can bring it up with them after the interview.
Hours: Asking about your working hours suggests that you’re more interested in clocking off than you are in the role itself.
Anything you should have looked up beforehand: Enquiring about any information that’s readily available on the organisation’s website or social media pages is a red flag that you haven’t done your research.

What are the questions to ask in a job interview?

So, with that in mind, here are six questions to ask your interviewer that will have the desired effect and impact:

“What is your organisation’s purpose? How does this role help deliver on it?”

If you find that an organisation’s purpose doesn’t align with your personal values, it’s going to have a negative impact on your experience. You might also be less motivated, which will have a knock-on effect when you apply to your next role. Make sure that the organisation is doing (or is trying to do) something you like and understand what your part in that is.

“What are your strategic priorities and have these changed in recent years? How does my role fit in?”

Organisations have had to adapt to the new world and it’s likely that tech will be playing a big role. Whether you’re applying at a company with tech at its forefront, or an established organisation that’s required an accelerated digital transformation, it’s important to know what the strategic priorities are. This will not only inform you of whether the organisation is in a strong position, but also where they are in their journey and whether you’ll be part of a long-term plan or a quick solution.

“How does AI fit into my role – and how do you see that progressing?”

Every business is at a different stage in their AI implementation journey, but it will have certainly impacted your role already – and there’ll be plans for further changes. This might not align with the way you want to work or develop in the job; alternatively, your own experience to date might be the perfect match. Maybe this will be the right place to grow your experience and understanding of AI tools, which leads to the next question...

“How do you approach learning and personal development?”

Ensuring that you are agile and prepared for future roles is important in any field but has particular importance in the tech sector. You need to be sure that this organisation will support your learning and provide you with opportunities to upskill – this could be in the form of training on the job, seminars or learning modules. Find out whether they are committed to your personal development and what you can take from the role that will help you in the future.

“Which teams/departments would I be working with most?”

Having an understanding of the structure of the organisation and your place within it will help you know whether it’s right for you. Simultaneously, if you’re experienced in a similar setup, you can inform the interviewer of this, letting them know you’ll be comfortable in the role.

“How are you managing hybrid teams?”

If you or any of your colleagues will be working remotely, at least on a part-time basis, it might be useful to understand how that will work day to day. You’ll find out how the culture will be kept alive and how they approach communication, responsibilities and inclusivity (and – if you’re interested – how flexible your location/working hours will be).

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