What to ask post-interview: A complete guide
Great job! You've successfully navigated your job interview, demonstrating your skills, expertise, and enthusiasm for the position. However, your role in the interview process isn't over just yet. Asking questions after the interview is a critical step. While many candidates breathe a sigh of relief once the formal questions end, the moments that follow are crucial for gaining insights into the company's culture and the specifics of the role.
Asking questions after an interview is good for you but also allows the company to learn more about you. Your questions reveal not just your interest in the role but also your understanding of how the company’s goals align with industry trends in Singapore. They can show your ability to think critically and may help you get the job. They also give the hiring team a chance to learn more about whether you're right for the job and what you could bring to the organisation. Here's what we're going to cover:
- Why is it important to ask questions post-interview?
- Types of questions to ask after an interview
- When should you ask questions after an interview?
- Questions to avoid asking after an interview
- Next steps after the interview
- Bottom line
- FAQs
Why is it important to ask questions post-interview?
A job interview serves as a mutual discovery process for the interviewer and the prospective employee. This interaction allows each party to assess compatibility and align expectations. For you, the candidate, posing questions after the interview is an essential step to gather more details about the role.
Reflecting on the interview
Post-interview questions give job seekers a chance to think about how they did during the interview. You can reflect on your answers, find ways to improve, and get useful feedback by asking about specific parts of the interview. You can ask questions about anything the interviewers didn't cover, making sure you fully understand the job and the company's expectations.
Showing continued interest
Asking thoughtful questions after the interview shows you're still enthusiastic and ready for the job. The potential employer can see that you're interested in the job and want to learn more about it. Showing that you're genuinely curious and want to contribute to the company's success can strengthen your position.
Types of questions to ask after an interview
It's important to understand what type of questions to ask at the end of a job interview. These questions can help you to succeed in the recruitment process.
Company-centric questions
To demonstrate your interest in the job and your knowledge of the company's goals and values, consider the following topics:
- Company growth: When discussing company growth, consider asking how the company plans to navigate the fintech boom in Singapore or adapt to the government's new initiatives in sustainable development.
Example: "How does the company plan to navigate the fintech boom in Singapore and adapt to the government's new initiatives in sustainable development?" - Company's competitive edge: Understanding what makes a business unique in its field allows you to determine its market position and how it can grow.
Example: "What makes this company unique in its field, and how does this distinction influence its market position and growth potential?" - Upcoming projects: This question shows that you're bold, confident, and ready to change with the times.
Example: "What upcoming projects does the company have planned, and how do these align with current industry trends and changes?" - Company's vision: Understanding the company's overarching goals can help you plan your objectives, creating a sense of shared purpose.
Example: "What are the company's long-term goals, and how do they shape the strategic direction and daily operations?"
Role-specific questions
To fully understand what the job involves, you might want to ask the following questions:
- Day-to-day expectations: Knowing what you'll be doing day to day allows you to prepare and be ready to start if you get the job.
Example: "What can I expect on a daily basis in this role?" - Opportunities for professional development: In a country that prioritises lifelong learning, how does the company integrate national programs like SkillsFuture into professional development opportunities for its employees?
Example: "How does the company use SkillsFuture for employee development?" - Performance measurement and review: Given the focus on performance outcomes, how does the company's review process align with the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) or other national productivity-enhancing initiatives?
Example: "How is the review process aligned with the PSG?" - Potential challenges: Discussing potential challenges shows that you're willing to face problems and find ways to overcome them.
Example: "What challenges might I face in this position?"
Culture and values questions
For long-term job satisfaction, think about whether your ideals match up with those of the company. Consider asking the potential employer about the following:
- The company's values: This can help you understand more about the company's moral values and commitment to honesty.
Example: "How do the company's values reflect their commitment to honesty?" - Team dynamics and work environment: Can you describe how the team navigates cross-cultural communication, a crucial skill in Singapore's cosmopolitan business environment?
Example: "How does the team handle cross-cultural communication?" - Work-life balance and employee well-being: Putting your health and well-being first is important if you want to stay productive and happy at work.
Example: "How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being?" - Insights into diversity: Asking about efforts to promote diversity shows that you want to contribute to a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and accepted.
Example: "What efforts are made to promote diversity in the workplace?"
Future prospects and opportunities
It's important to consider how you can grow and move up in the company. You can ask the interviewer about:
- Potential advancement opportunities: Understanding how the company promotes people can help you determine your long-term prospects within the business.
Example: "How does the company handle promotions?" - Ongoing training or learning opportunities: Continuing learning for both personal and professional growth is important. Find out how committed the company is to help you develop your skills.
Example: "What learning opportunities does the company offer?" - Policy on internal promotions: Knowing how to move up in the organisation can help you make plans for your working life.
Example: "What is the company's policy on internal promotions?" - Support for employee growth: Try to gain a better understanding of how the organisation supports employee growth. Find out how the organisation feels about teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship.
Example: "How does the company support teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship?"
When should you ask questions after an interview?
Asking questions after an interview not only helps you learn more about the job and the organisation but also shows that you're enthusiastic and ready to work. There are a few things to consider when asking questions after your interview.
Determine the appropriate time
You usually wait till the end of the interview to ask questions. The interview will typically cover the main points about the job and the organisation. You can then ask questions about anything that you didn't cover. If the interviewer asks for questions during the interview, you can ask them as they come up. But it's a good idea to save a few questions for the end.
Be mindful of your tone
Remember to be polite and professional when you ask questions. Make it clear that you value the interviewer's time and knowledge. Avoid asking personal or unrelated questions. Ask questions that show you have a genuine interest in the job and want to understand the company's culture.
Consider the interview's flow and time constraints
Keep in mind how the interview is going and any time limits. If the interviewer is short on time or there are still important things to talk about, it may be helpful only to ask a few questions. You could also save them for a later conversation.
Pay attention to responses and body language
Pay close attention to the interviewer's responses and body language throughout the interview. This can give you an idea of the topics that are most important to them. It can also highlight specific areas of the job to focus on during the first few weeks of employment. Change the questions you ask based on their response to ensure your answer is useful and interesting.
Questions to avoid asking after an interview
When it comes to post-interview questions, it's important to give a good impression and demonstrate your genuine interest in the job. These are some questions you shouldn't ask right after an interview:
- Salary, benefits, or vacation time frame: You shouldn't discuss pay and perks too early in the interview process because you may seem more interested in the money than the job. You can discuss this after they've made you a job offer.
Question to avoid: "When can I take vacation days?" - Confrontational questions: Questions that start with "Why" can sometimes sound rude or demanding. If you want to know why the company does things in a certain way, change the question to focus on learning how the company works or how it makes decisions.
Question to avoid: "Why aren't you investing more in sustainability initiatives?" - Work-life balance queries: A good work-life balance is important, but you may want to save this kind of question until later in the recruitment process. Asking about working from home or flexible hours during the interview may indicate that you care more about your comfort than the company's goals.
Question to avoid: "Can I work from home regularly?" - Lack of research: Only ask questions you can't easily find the answer to on the company's website or after a quick online search. Focus on asking thoughtful questions that show you've researched the organisation and understand its goals, obstacles, and industry.
Question to avoid: "Who are the company's main competitors?"
Interpreting your interviewer's responses
In addition to thinking about the questions you ask, pay close attention to how the interviewer reacts. If they give you evasive or confusing answers, it could be a red flag. Pay attention to how they respond when you talk about things such as business culture, employee recognition, and team dynamics. A positive and interesting answer from the interviewer can tell you a lot about the beliefs and work environment of the company.
Next steps after the interview
Here are a few things you should do following your interview:
- Take some time to think about the interview, including how the conversation went and how confident you were in your answers.
- Think about how well you explained your skills and abilities and what you could have done better. If you don't succeed in this interview, this can help provide insight for your next one.
- Write a follow-up email thanking them for the interview opportunity and expressing your continued interest in the position.
- Think about whether you would be the right fit for the team. Base this on what you've learned about the role's expectations and the company's culture.
- If you get an offer, consider all the information you've gathered to determine whether the position is a good fit for you.
Bottom line
Asking thoughtful, informed questions demonstrates your keen interest and your readiness to engage with Singapore's business landscape, aligning with corporate and national objectives.
They provide you with useful information about the position and the company. They ensure everyone knows what to expect and give you a better sense of the company's culture and beliefs. By asking questions, you can gain valuable insight to help you decide if the company is right for you.
FAQs
- What are some insightful questions to ask about company culture?
Here are some good questions to ask a potential employer:
"Can you describe the company's approach to collaboration and teamwork?"
"How does the company support professional development and growth opportunities for its employees?"
"How does the company uphold the principles of fairness and meritocracy, considering Singapore's diverse and multicultural workforce?"
"Can you describe the company's work-life balance culture?"
"Can you describe a typical day?"
- How can you politely enquire about future career prospects within the company?
After talking about the position and thanking them for the interview, you can ask about future job opportunities within the company. Here are some sample questions:
"Can you give me an idea of the typical career path for someone in this role?"
"Are there opportunities for professional development and future advancement within the company?"
"How does the company support employees in achieving their long-term job goals?"
"Can you tell me more about how you evaluate performance and offer promotions?"
"I'm interested in how the company develops ability and promotes from within. Could you explain that more?"
- What are effective ways to ask about the team or department you'll be working with?
You can ask questions about the following:
team structure and dynamics
roles and responsibilities
communication and collaboration
team culture and values
professional development and support
challenges and opportunities
- How do you frame a question to understand the company's growth and success strategies?
Asking about the company's plans for growth and success shows your interest in its long-term goals and how you would like to contribute to them. Here's an idea for a question:
"I've learned about the company's current goals and accomplishments during our conversation. I'm also interested in your plans for future growth. Could you explain how the company plans to reach its long-term goals and how this position fits into those plans?"
