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The job market is becoming more and more competitive with every single day that goes by, so many people are working hard to earn a living, and most times, they have little or nothing to show for it. So if a person must have a desirable future, he or she has to have a good and secured job. To get a good job you have to go through an interview process, so your skills and profitability to the company will be assessed by the Human Resources personnel because your qualification alone does not matter the most for your selection in a good company. Most people assume that they need to have a lot of qualifications to get a job, but in reality, it is not the case.

So you were called for a job interview and as it was almost over the hiring manager ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” And as you know it’s not uncommon to be asked ‘do you have any questions for me?’ by an interviewer near the end of an interview. But while this question may seem simple, it plays a huge role in how a hiring manager perceives you.

This question is an important part of the conversation and you have to resist the temptation to say no, even if you are confident that the job is a good fit for you. In fact, hiring managers expect you to ask questions because it shows that you are serious about the job, and having a few quality questions prepared will ensure you are ready for this question and also help set yourself apart from the competition.

So you have to always say ‘Yes,’ when an interviewer asks if you have questions because surprisingly, the most common answer to this interview question, “Do you have any questions?” is ‘No’. Not only is this the wrong answer, but it is also a missed opportunity to find more about the company. It is important for you to ask questions—not just any questions, but those relevant to the job, the company, and the industry.
Many people assume the interview to be the toughest part of the job market, whereas if one prepares well then an interview can be easily cracked and you can get the desired job for a better future. So ultimately, it all depends upon your preparation and hard work for the interview.

Here are some reasons why it is important to ask questions:

It is an opportunity to learn more
Your interview not only gives the hiring manager an insight into your professional experience, qualifications and accomplishments, but it is also a great way for you to learn more about the company and job you are being interviewed for. You have to focus on asking questions about topics that were not covered, or topics you would like to discuss in detail.

Asking questions shows your interest in the organization
Asking thoughtful questions in your interview reaffirms your interest in the job and it also shows the interviewer that you have thought seriously about what it would mean to be employed in that role at their company and with the right questions; you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and industry, along with your drive to perform well in the new position.

It supports a memorable final impression
Getting to the interview stage is already a sign that you are one of the top candidates and with thoughtful questions; you can continue to stand out from other competitors and demonstrate that you are a great fit for the role.

The Interview Preparation Process
While you prepare yourself for the job interview, you need to make sure that you can perform well under the pressure and intense atmosphere that interviewers create in order to gather as much information about you as they can. You need to prepare your mind in such a way that you do not sit motionlessly and blank-faced when the hiring manager asks their tricky questions. A lot of people are not aware of the fact that the interviewer always asks questions that are hard to understand and answer in the right manner, and because of this very reason, they fail in passing the interview successfully.

One of the most commonly asked questions by the hiring manager is, “Do you have questions for me?” there are numerous reasons behind asking this question and a few of them are as follows:

1. This question can be asked if the interviewer feels that he or she has missed some vital questions to ask during the whole interview or when he or she is not really clear about your abilities, they will ask this question to know more about you.

2. This question can also come up when the hiring manager has explained certain things about the company and he feels that you are still confused about what he said.

3. In a situation where your answers are a bit confusing and the hiring manager is unable to predict or gauge how you will be beneficial to their company, he may ask you this question so as he can clarify some issues of concern to him regarding some things you may have answered at some point during the interview.

So, these are some of the common situations where the interviewer can come up with the question, “do you have any questions for me?”

 

Furthermore, here are some ways you can prepare for an interview:

Gather a list of questions to ask the hiring manager

The interviewer will cover a lot of information in the interview and may unknowingly answer the questions you plan to ask—consider preparing up to 12 questions. You will have to write your questions down in a notebook that you bring to the interview to avoid forgetting them.

Refer to this list when the interviewer asks if you have any questions and choose two or three questions that were not covered during the interview. You have to choose questions that demonstrate you were engaged and listening, and the ones that can help you learn more about the job.

Research the organization

Researching the organization is one of the easiest ways to know the organization’s history, mission, and values and a great place to start is by browsing its website. You can also search the internet for recent news articles and use the information you find to help form your questions. Your initiative will be well-received because it proves you took the time to learn about the company or industry.

Take time to prepare

Before the interview, spend time preparing for answers to questions that may be asked during the interview. Also create an inventory of questions you have for the hiring manager that is associated with the position, the company, or other relevant topics. You can get ideas by doing research on the company, going through the job posting carefully, and considering any information you currently do not have that would be helpful in deciding if the position is right for you.

Ask open-ended questions for elaborate answers

Rather than asking something that elicits an easy ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, attempt to inquire about something that needs the hiring manager to go into detail. This will keep the conversation going and make sure you get the answers you are actually trying to find.

Avoid sensitive topics

Topics to avoid when asking the hiring manager questions about the role or company include questions about the hiring manager’s personal life, non-work activities, information that’s readily available, and salary inquiries (unless it is the second or third interview).

Rehearse well before the interview

Think of the interview as a discussion between you and the interviewer. Practicing your questions in advance can make you more comfortable and give you a confidence boost on the day of the interview. So spend time rehearsing your questions out loud, in front of a mirror, or with a friend or family member

Depending on who is interviewing you, your questions should vary:
If you’re interviewing with the hiring manager, ask questions regarding the job, the specified qualities, and the challenges one may encounter in the job.
If you’re interviewing with the human resources manager, ask about the organization and the department you will be working in.
If you’re interviewing with the management, ask about the industry and future projections. This is your chance to demonstrate your industry knowledge.

 

Types of questions to ask as the interview come to an end

1. Questions about the job

The hiring manager may have already covered information about the job’s functions, but this is the perfect time to get more details about the day-to-day responsibilities, expectations, and goals. You could ask:

• What does a typical day look like for someone in this position?
• What are the short and long-term goals for the person with this job title?
• How has this job role grown or adapted to suit the requirements of the organization?
• What are the daily responsibilities for this position?
• What are the work hours for this role?
• What is the pace required for this position?
• What would be required of me during the first three months if I’m hired for this role?
• At what intervals does the organization carry out performance evaluations for its employees?
• Why did the last person for this position leave?
• For how long has this position been open?
• Is this a new position in the company?
• Would I be working within the office or remotely?
• How many people are on the team I would be part of?
• How long have you been working for this organization?
• What is your favorite part of your job in this company?
• What is your least favorite part of your job?
• Are there opportunities for growth within the company?
• What would be my priorities in position?
• What is the significant challenge for a person in this position?
• Is working remotely an option for this role?
• How many hours a week is required for this job? Is overtime allowed?
• How is the success rate measured in this position?
• Is there anything else I should know about this position that was not included in the job description?
• What are the overall objectives for this role?
• Is traveling required for this position?
• Will I be expected to work late into the nights and/or weekends for this position?
• Who would I answer to directly?
• Do employees receive feedback regularly on their work?
•  Is this job open often?
• Are you happy to be working for this organization? Why?
• Is there regular on-the-job training provided for this position?
• How long can a person hold this position?

2. Questions about the company

Asking questions about the organization reveals that you have done your research and it provides you a clearer picture of the company’s outlook, values, and culture. Plus, it gives the impression that you are eager about growing with the organization long-term. Here are some questions to consider asking about the company:

• What do you enjoy working here?
• How would you describe the organization’s culture?
• What growth goals does the organization expect to achieve within five years?
• Can you elaborate on some of the company’s recent challenges and achievements?
• What are the organizational goals for the year?
• What is the workplace culture like?
• What areas do you think the organization could improve upon?
• What areas do you feel the organization excels in?
• What is the company’s management style?
• What are the challenges facing the company currently?
• How has the organization grown over the last five years?
• Are employees expected to stay up-to-date with their emails during the weekends or while they are on vacation?
• How does the onboarding process look like at this company?
• What attracted you to this organization?
• What projects is the company working on currently?
• What communication methods are used mostly in the workplace?
• How long do employees tend to remain with this company?

3. Questions about your qualifications

Make sure the hiring manager does not have unanswered questions about your qualifications. If they do, you should ask these types of questions so as to clarify any misunderstanding:

• What qualities do you search for in a candidate?
• What are the concerns you have about my experience or skill set?
• Are there reservations regarding my fit for the role?
• Do you have any concerns about my qualifications?
• Do you feel I lack in a particular area or skill set?
• Do you feel I do not have some qualifications needed for this position?
• What qualities do your excellent employees have?
• What experience or skills would make me an excellent candidate for this position?

4. Questions about the next steps

Save your final question to ask about subsequent steps in the hiring process. You’ll convey your interest in the job one last time and also ask for the hiring timeline, potential additional interviews, or when you can expect a response from them. You might say questions such as:

• I’ve really enjoyed learning a lot about this opportunity. What are the subsequent steps in the hiring process?

• Thank you for explaining the role to me in-depth. When may I hear from you regarding a decision?

 For everything you do or say during an interview, timing is very important. You will need to use your judgment as regards the number of questions you would ask and when to ask them. Think of this as a conversation. There should be an appropriate time to ask certain questions, like those about benefits and vacation but to be on the safe side, concentrate on questions regarding the job’s responsibilities and how you fit the position until you get the actual offer.
When you begin to consider the interview as a two-way process, you’ll see it’s important for you to find out all you can about the organization. Questions will give you the opportunity to find out if this is a good place for you to work before you say yes.
Job interviews can be stressful and remembering which questions to ask, what to wear, what to bring, can be so confusing.

Topics to avoid asking during an interview

If you’re still within the early stages of the interview process, avoid asking questions on salary, benefits, vacation time, or company perks. Questions about these topics should be saved for once you are formally offered the work. If you ask about this stuff too early, you’ll send the message that you’re more curious about how the organization can benefit you, not how you’ll contribute to the company. Here are sample questions you need to avoid asking because they make you look unserious and unqualified:

• What does the person in this position do?
• What are the job requirements?
• What does this organization do?
• How old is this organization?
• Who is the organization’s main competition?
• What other position is available here?
• How soon can I apply for another job here?
• How can I get promoted quickly?
• Do you have any jobs where I could work from home (assuming this job isn’t remote)?
• Do you have any jobs that aren’t remote (assuming this job is remote)?
• Do you check applicants’ references?
• Do you conduct background checks before hiring someone for your company?
• Is passing a drug test required for one to be employed?
• Do I have to pass drug tests after I’m hired? How often? How much warning can be given before the drug tests?
• Do you offer maternity leave?
• How do you track or verify the work of remote employees?
• Do you have security cameras watching everything an employee does?
• Do you monitor email use and web browsing when employees are at work?
• Do you keep close track of when employees arrive and when they leave?
• Will anyone check my work? What will they be looking for? When do they usually check? How often?
• Will anyone be looking at my social media activities?
• How long do I take a paid personal or sick day?
• Do you require a doctor’s note whenever an employee takes a sick day?
• What is considered excessive when someone misses work?
• What is the process before an employee is fired? Are there warnings? How many?
• Is it noisy here?
• Is it cold (or hot) here?
• If an employee prefers working from home, how often would you expect them to be here?
• Is it OK to arrive late or leave early if an employee’s work is done or if no one needs their help?
• Do you have rules or regulations regarding what employees wear here?
• If an employee does not like PCs, can they use a different kind of computer?
• If an employee does not want a cubicle, can they have an office with a window?
• Can an employee have the most recent smartphone with good memory storage, excellent cameras, and unlimited usage?
• How soon can new employees get a raise?
• How much paid vacation time does an employee gets?
• How soon do new employees take vacations after they start working?
•  What other benefits do you provide?
• Do employees get discounts from the company?
• Can employee discounts gotten from the company be shared with family and friends?
• Is there a limit to what I can purchase with my employee discount?
• Will I get an office to myself?
• How soon do I get promoted?
• Why would you like to see my references?
• Do I have to arrive early or leave late?
• How often do reviews about employees occur?
• Are there any times of the month or year that require more work than others?
• Will you monitor any of my social networking profiles?

In addition, questions that start with ‘Why’ should be avoided at all costs.

Focus on questions about the job alone because the questions above may look like they are tension breakers or funny, but they are not appropriate for an employment interview. Unless you’re interviewing for employment as a comedian, trying to be funny isn’t usually a good idea.
In your job interview, try not to ask questions that may make a nasty impression about you on the hiring manager’s mind, this will enable you to have successful job interviews. 

Interview Questions

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