At the end of a job interview, it's common for the interviewer to invite you to ask questions. While this might feel daunting to many candidates, it actually presents a valuable chance to make a strong impression.
Formulating the right questions not only assists you in assessing if the position aligns with your career goals but also allows you to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the job.
Preparing a list of good job interview questions can also help you demonstrate strong communication skills throughout the hiring process. This is also a great way to stand apart from other job applicants.
The questions you ask in an interview can address various topics. For example, you could ask about the role and its responsibilities, performance expectations, career advancement opportunities, or the company's culture.
Read on to learn the right questions to ask in a job interview. Here's what we'll cover:
Most hiring managers offer you an opportunity to ask questions during an interview. It's essential to prepare several questions that express your interest in the job and show that you've researched the company. Let's look at some good questions to ask at the end of an interview.
Asking questions about the role during an interview gives you a better understanding of its duties and responsibilities. It allows you to clarify anything the interviewer discussed earlier and uncover potential hurdles you may face to succeed in the role. This information can help you decide whether the job is a good fit for you.
Sample questions:
When choosing questions to ask in a job interview, you may want to include some about the existing team you'll join if the company hires you. Understanding the team dynamics can give you a better idea of the team members you work with regularly and how your role interacts with theirs. It's also important to ask questions about the company culture to determine whether you can thrive in the workplace. These questions show the hiring manager that you care about being a team player and the right cultural fit for the company.
Sample questions:
You shouldn't only ask questions that you think might impress hiring managers. This opportunity allows you to learn about the things that interest you about the job and the current company, such as work-life balance policies, new products, or plans for growth. Such questions can help demonstrate all the skills you need and your eagerness to work for the organisation.
Sample questions:
Career development is a priority for many professionals in Singapore. To understand your growth prospects, you might ask:
Sample questions:
Knowing how your prospective employer measures employee performance or success is vital to understanding their expectations and management style. Knowing your manager's expectations can help you understand what it takes to do well in your job and advance your career.
Sample questions:
Creating thoughtful and relevant job interview questions is a great way to make a positive impression on a potential employer. The best questions demonstrate your interest in the role of hiring managers and show that you've spent time preparing for the interview. Here are some pointers to craft impactful interview questions tailored for Singaporean job seekers:
When you're putting together a list of questions to ask at an interview, make sure that you phrase each one correctly. Avoid asking generic questions. Research the company and the position beforehand.
Ask questions that relate specifically to you. For instance, rather than asking, “What does a typical workday look like?” you could ask, “What would my typical workday look like?” This encourages the hiring manager to visualise you in the role and see you as the right person for the job.
Start by paying attention to the information the hiring manager shares throughout the interview. Then, ask questions that build off the earlier discussion. You should prepare situational job interview questions. For example, you could follow up on a project the interviewer said the team is working on. Or, you might ask about a responsibility that the job description didn't mention. Try to make this part of the interview a continuation of the conversation. This technique can create engaging dialogue and help showcase your critical-thinking skills.
Having a list of interview questions to ask the employer makes you look interested, engaged, and enthusiastic. It also gives you a final chance to highlight your qualities and experience.
Try to prepare four or five interview questions and answers. Preparing several questions gives you backups if the interviewer addresses some questions in the earlier discussion. Ideally, you should have at least one question for each category we mentioned above.
If you're applying for a creative job, you may want to have some unique interview questions to ask the employer.
Avoid asking questions that require only a “yes” or “no” answer. The answers to such questions are likely available on the company's website. Open-ended questions demand a full explanation. They often lead to a more engaging and richer conversation that helps you build rapport with the interviewer. They also provide more insight and information that can give you a deeper understanding of the job and the company.
Securing employment can be challenging in a competitive job market. To increase your job prospects, try to set yourself apart from other job seekers during an interview. In addition to preparing your responses, you should create a list of job interview questions to ask the hiring manager.
These questions allow you to gain a better insight into the role and the company. They give you an opportunity to showcase your soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
To make a good impression on the interviewer, try to personalise your questions and make them feel like a part of the conversation. Refrain from asking questions that the interviewer can answer with just a “yes” or “no.”
Focus your questions on important topics such as job responsibilities, work performance, company culture, and career advancement opportunities.