How to navigate that final interview questions, “Do you have any questions for us?”

You have been through it all. The application and shortlisting process; sweated your way through the tasks, meeting new faces of prospective colleagues, and all the interview questions. And then it comes:

“So, do you have any questions for us?”

You are tired. Your brain has used maximum cell capacity. What you really want to ask is, “Are you kidding me? Can I go home now?”

It is easy to simply say “No.”

It is understandable to fumble up some nonsense question.

But help is at hand to deal with this final hurdle.

First let’s unpick why the questions is asked at all.

1. Interviews are a 2-way process, and it is your opportunity to get answers that have yet to be uncovered to enable you to make YOUR decision about them.
2. It is a chance to continue a conversation and show you are interested in the role by demonstrating you have taken time to research and consider the company.

Therefore, your responses now are equally important. It is always worth going into the interview with a few well-considered questions prepared in advance. You may choose to focus on day-to-day operations, centered around the role or company, finding out more about vision, culture and values, or wider impact of industry trends.

Examples (if you don’t already know the answers):

• Could you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks of the role?
• How do you promote staff well being / inclusive workplace practices?
• How would you describe the culture and how are new starters supported to adjust to the workplace?
• What kind of leadership / team structures do you have in place?
• How would you describe your current priority for the organisation?
• What are your expectations for the successful candidate over the next month / 6-month?
• In your opinion, what does success look like for this role and how do you measure it?
• What do you enjoy most about working here?

This is not the opportunity to ask about your chances, the competition or start trying to negotiate your family holidays.

Examples to avoid:

• Do you think I have got the job?
• So, how have I compared against the other people you have interviewed today?
• How long would I have to work before I can apply for holiday leave?
• Can I put in a request for 16-30 August for a holiday I’ve booked?
• When do you think I’d get promoted?
• I have childcare issues on a Tuesday. How can you help with that?
• When can I start?

In the same way that first impressions count, you can also leave the interview having impressed the company by your thought-provoking questions; or you can just undo the good work from the rest of the interview and leave a big question mark hanging over your head as your final impression.

Every question forms an impression. The interview is not over until you are in your car driving home!

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