Top 5 Possible Questions to Ask Your Interviewer After a Job Interview

For most job applicants, preparing for a job interview involves researching answers to all the possible questions to expect at the interview. From responses to the always-asked tell us about yourself, to the rarely-asked where do you see yourself in the next five years, job applicants do all sorts of research to ensure they answer these common interview questions as best as possible.

But only very few do their research on another aspect of a job interview that is as important – the part where tables are turned, and you temporarily become the interviewer (but not really). This is the point where the interviewers allow you to ask them questions too.

In this article, I will share some top intelligent questions you should ask your interviewer after your next job interview.

Think about it, how many times have you gone for an interview and you’re told something like do you have any question for us or what will you like to ask us? Several times, right?

A lot of job applicants make the mistake of responding with something in the line of I don’t have any question, you’ve said it all. Seriously?

By the way, if you’re more of a video person, you might want to just watch this

Why you need to ask your interviewer questions after your interview

Did you know that asking the wrong questions (or not asking any question at all) may determine whether or not you will get the job? E shock you? Take a look at some of the reasons why you need to ask questions after your interview.

• Shows Interest in the Company

You got to a job interview, and you suddenly don’t feel like working there? Just don’t ask any question after your interview and your interviewer will get the message.

The easiest way to make your interviewer know you’re no longer interested in the job or the company is by not asking any questions after your interview. They will get the message and probably not bother you again after the interview.

So, if you’re not trying to suggest lack of interest, you better go in there prepared with your questions.

• Shows you are intelligent

The type of question you ask sometimes show how you think. How many times have you heard people say “that’s an intelligent question”? Yeah, questions provide the opportunity to show intelligence level.

Hiring managers are always after the best talents, and you know it’s really competitive out there. So that opportunity to ask questions is another opportunity to boost your chances, so you better make good use of it.

• Shows you did Your Research

It’s 2020 and getting information about companies a lot easier now than ever. This makes it possible to find the most information about your potential employer before you go in for your interview.

But you still won’t find everything. There is some information about the company that they may not have out there. Also, there are some that you may have read but may not fully understand. Asking questions in this line show that you did your homework well.

If you start asking questions like “what does this company do?” Well, that would clearly show you did not do any research which may be proof that you’re not interested in the job or the company.

Questions you should NOT ask

Perhaps, before going to the list of the right questions to ask your interviewer, first, let’s take a look at some questions you should NOT ask at your job interview. Some of these questions seem harmless, but hey, they may cost you that job. Here you go

• So, did I get the job?

Lol, you need to calm down. First of all, even your interviewers may not have an answer to that just yet. Remember, you’re not the only candidate being interviewed for the role so they may not have arrived at a decision just after talking to you.

Secondly, you don’t want to seem too desperate. That’s a red flag for most employers.

• What do you guys do?

Wait, what? You went for a job interview in a company, and you don’t know what they do? O wrong nau.

This, as I mentioned earlier, would suggest you have not done your homework, so take it off your list of questions.

• If I get the job, can I change my schedule?

At least, wait till you get the job first before asking this question. Putting up a question like this while you are still being interviewed may not go down well with some interviewers.

To them, it may be a sign that you’d be the problematic type. And always remember; you’re not the only candidate being considered.

• Don’t ask yes or no questions

Like I mentioned earlier, this is an opportunity to flaunt your intelligence. Asking a yes or no question is obviously not the best way to go about this.

• Don’t ask personal questions

“So, how much is your salary?” Of course, you don’t want to ask personal questions like this for obvious reasons.

Possible Questions to ask your Interviewer

So, here we are. These are the top 5 intelligent questions you ask at your next job interview

• How does one advance on the role?

Asking this question shows you are already thinking of succeeding on the job. That’s the kind of spirit most employers resonate with.

It shows you are confident of getting the job without you sounding desperate. Enthusiasm, confidence and ambition are all you’d be demonstrating by asking this question.

And of course, you don’t want to get the job and be stagnant for the rest of your life so you actually should pay attention to how this question is answered.

• What are the biggest challenges on this job?

Trust me, every role has its challenging part, and your interviewer knows this too. Asking this question helps you to understand what to expect on the job and prepare for it ahead.

By the way, if your interviewer says there are no challenges on the job, then you need to be extra cautious.

• When can I expect to hear from you?

This is probably the last question you should ask. In other words, it shouldn’t be your only question.

With this question, you know when to expect to get feedback on your interview and not be in suspense waiting by your phone (or email) forever.

• Do you have any reservations on my qualifications, skills or experience?

Asking this question is giving yourself a second chance to correct certain impressions that your interviewer may have of you.

For instance, the interviewer may say you did not fully explain how your previous experience is relevant to the job. So, what do you do? You take a deep breath and make another attempt at convincing the person that indeed your experience would help on the job.

• What is the best part of working here?

You want to ask this question to inform your decision about working with the company. Pay attention to the response you get from this question.

According to The Cut columnist, Alison Green, the way your interviewer answers this will reflect their experience working with the company.

If your interviewer answers with so much enthusiasm, then it may mean that working there wouldn’t be a wrong decision.

But when you get a not so exciting or enthusiastic response, then you may want to think again. That may be a sign.

Conclusion

After all is said (and done), one thing you must note is the fact that these things are not cast in stones. What may work for one may not work for another.

You may recall an exchange between a job applicant and an interviewer that generated controversy on social media some months back. In case you missed it, a job applicant had complimented his interviewer with the comment “you smell nice” after his interview.

I interviewed a guy for a job yesterday and when he was leaving he said to me ‘you smell nice’ and I told him that’s very rude of him, he left looking stupid.

 A lot of men don’t have manners!!!

— Taiwo (@taiwo__y) March 11, 2019

Saw this on @iSlimfit tweet
Had to come back here and show you this!!! Call Nigerians backward or retard or shii. Ma’am you didn’t do good with your response… you played God feeling on another’s fate… e take è easy, life’s a pendulum pic.twitter.com/wPcHesDUuJ

— Abayomi ‘B I M B O L A (@Kvng_ZiEUS) March 12, 2019

It’s always advisable in an interview to understand your environment.
You have limited time but you have to activate your quickest mind sensors.. know your interviewer as much as they are trying to know you…
some want smiles others don’t
e.g complimenting taiwo lost him a job

— Volqx (@volqx) March 11, 2019

Human resources practitioners were divided on whether or not this is right. This is proof that what works for one may not work for another.

Just make sure to make your findings and know all you can about the company, and if possible, about your interviewer. The information you find will help you determine what questions to ask and how to frame your questions.

But irrespective of who your interviewers are and their value system, not asking any question is a no-no. Go for your interview, prepared to be interviewed and to temporarily be the interviewer.

Have you asked any of these questions at an interview before? What was the response like? Are there some other questions you think should be listed here?

Let us know in the comments.