Do you have any questions for me? is a common question to be asked by the interviewers at the end of the job interview. Yet, many job applicants struggle with handling this question.
As a job seeker, it’s important to have a list a 5-7 questions prepared to show the interviewer you’ve done your research and you continue to show interest in the position, even though it is at the tail end of the interview process. You will only want to ask 2-3 questions, but several of the questions may be answered over the course of the interview which it’s wise to prepare additional ones.
Here are examples of the types of questions you should ask:
- What qualities does a successful intern/employee possess?
- What are some opportunities for training, additional education, or professional development?
- What would you ideally like to see from a new employee in the first few months?
- How is success measured for this position?
- What are the next steps?
- You should also ask a question that highlights your knowledge/research of the company.
There are also certain types of questions you should avoid:
- Don’t ask the interviewer any personal questions. It’s not appropriate or relevant to the position.
- Keep the questions positive. Don’t ask what the interviewer doesn’t like about his/her organization.
- Pay careful attention during the interview so that you don’t end up asking a question that the interviewer has already gone over.
- Stay away from questions that indicate the job itself is not your top priority. For example, don’t bring up compensation or vacation time until you have an offer from the company.
- Avoid questions that you should already know the answer to. Do your research about the company and don’t ask questions that should have been discovered during your research and interview preparation.
These questions are a good starting point, but be sure to prepare several to take with you and be ready to ask additional questions based on the interview itself.
