Questions to ask in a job interview

Memory NGuwi YOU have been called for a job interview – sweet! This is your chance to impress the employer and show them why you are the best candidate for the job. But with only one interview opportunity, you want to make sure you make the most of it.

And the best way to do that is to ask the right questions. Most interviewers will allow you to ask questions when they are done with their questions. Do not squander that opportunity. Prepare a list of “what questions to ask in a job interview”.

The questions must not be too many, but enough to leave a lasting positive impression on the interview panel.

Do your homework and know all about the job you are interviewing for. But that does not mean you cannot use an interview to further your understanding of the role and the company.

The questions you ask during an interview offer an opportunity to clarify anything unclear, expand on only briefly mentioned topics, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and the company.

And you can also use the questions you ask to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the role, your thoughtfulness, and your interest in finding out as much as possible about the job, the team, and the organisation.

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When you are in a job interview, it can sometimes be challenging to think of the right questions to ask. However, asking the right questions can help you learn more about the job and show the interviewer that you are keen and enthusiastic about the role.

The questions you ask can also help you determine whether the job is right for you – for example, if the interviewer does not answer your questions about training and development or career progression, that is a red flag, and you should consider whether the role is a good fit for you.

Questions to ask in a job interview are not easy to develop. This is because you are unsure whether they are the right questions. You want to ask questions that will help you learn more about the job, the company, and your potential colleagues.

But you do not want to come across as too nosy or intrusive. The best questions to ask in a job interview are likely different for every candidate. Still, some questions can help you learn more about the job and the company, regardless of your background or experience level.

Questions about the job

The questions to ask in a job interview should always start with the job itself. Asking questions about the job shows the panel that you are interested in learning more about the job. Here are some of the questions to ask.

Is this a new job, or are you replacing someone who left?

Would you please share the reporting structure for this role for my benefit?

Are there any specific performance indicators that you consider a top priority for this role?

When would you like the successful candidate to start?

What have been some of your biggest concerns in the past with regard to this role?

Are you able to share the career path for this role?

Are any specific projects the successful candidate is expected to handle immediately upon assuming duty?

If you expect the successful candidate to start immediately, are you prepared to address the notice period issues?

Can you share if this role is fully resourced to meet its mandate?

Is this role on a fixed-term contract or a contract without a time limit?

I see this role is on a fixed-term contract subject to renewal; what are the conditions one needs to fulfil to renew the contract?

Questions about the organisation

Are there any specific organisational challenges you would like me to know as I decide to accept this role if I am successful?

Are there any specific organisational developments you would like me to know as I decide to accept this role if I am successful?

Does the organisation support employee professional development, and if so, to what extent?

Given that this is a senior role, to what extent would this role interact with the board or board members?

Are there any other issues I need to be aware of as I decide on this opportunity?

Conclusion As you prepare what questions to ask in a job interview, focus on questions about the job and the organisation. You can raise remuneration issues once you have been offered the job, and such questions should be raised in your negotiations. Focusing on remuneration questions when you have not been offered the job would be ill-advised.

You should avoid asking questions about proprietary and confidential matters that the organisation would not want to disclose. Always remember the interview panel has no obligation to impress you.

You want to impress the panel so they can offer you a job. Avoid any questions that may irritate the panel. Above all, ask no more than two questions if you are provided with the opportunity to ask questions.

• Nguwi is an occupational psychologist, data scientist, speaker and managing consultant at Industrial Psychology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, a management and HR consulting firm. https://www.linkedin.com/in/memorynguwi/ Phone +263 24 248 1 946-48/ 2290 0276, cell number +263 772 356 361 or e-mail: mnguwi@ipcconsultants.com or visit ipcconsultants.com.