What are some of the top questions to ask your interviewer during or after your interview?

As was established in Part A of this article, we are interviewers in our own right.

Just as our interviewers ask us questions to find out if we are fit for a job, we should also ask questions to find out if the role fits our set standards and goals.

Instead of mechanically answering all the questions thrown at you, why don't you make it an engaging conversation?

After all, you get more points for asking the interviewer a question when they ask if you have any questions.

This week, we will review another 6 questions you can ask in an interview.

Let us dive right into it.

In an interview, some of the top questions to ask are:

Can you tell me more about the company's immediate goals and how the team I work with supports in meeting these goals?

This question clarifies the company's core beliefs and how you may or may not fit in. It also gives you a clear sense of whether the teams are aligned with the organization's overall strategy.

Working in a company where you don't understand how you fit in could make you feel lost and disengaged. Otherwise, you would see the impact of your actions and feel a sense of accomplishment.

How would you describe the company culture?

Knowing how you fit into a company's culture is essential since it significantly impacts employee satisfaction.

Suppose you think the company culture will impact your job satisfaction, you must ask this question to determine if you are aligned on culture.

What is your favourite part about working here?

You spend a lot of time at work, so ideally, you should like it. Other people's experiences may not always be an accurate predictor of yours, but asking this question helps you to judge the level of contentment and satisfaction with the employer.

If your interviewer has nice things to say, that is a good sign; but if they are hesitant to answer and cough up a measly "I look forward to the waakye they serve for lunch every Wednesday," that might be a red flag for you.

Has your company incorporated any remote work policies?

Imagine having to start your day at 4 am every day so you can beat traffic and go to work for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

We wouldn't need to imagine for too long because before the onset of the global pandemic, this was the reality for most workers (still is the reality for some). However, during and after the pandemic, most organizations have realized that their employees can work efficiently regardless of location.

So unless you are a factory worker or one of the workers who cannot work unless they are on-site, a company with flexible remote working policies will benefit you.

A company without these policies will most likely not care about your work-life balance because remote work has proven to come with many pros. For most people, this may not be a deal-breaker, but it is still worth noting.

It seems unlikely that we will revert to the status quo of work anytime soon.

What does your onboarding process look like?

Trust me, you do not want to work in a team whose onboarding approach is the "throw them in the water, and they will learn how to swim" approach.

After going through the interview process at Company A, Ama was hired. On her first day at work, the HR assistant gives her a ton of paperwork to fill out.

She proceeds with a rushed overview of the company and points her to the various facilities and departments in the building.

The next day, it is straight to work.

The company is leveraging that Ama has been doing data analysis for the past 5 years, and she should be "fine".

It has been three weeks now since Ama started working at Company A.

She still does not know that there is a printing station on her wing and goes to the 6th floor every time she needs to scan a document.

Ama was not appropriately acclimatized into the company; now, she almost feels unwelcome.

A company with a poor onboarding process will affect you. If not immediately, eventually.

What are the next steps in the interview process?

Your anxiety is through the roof because it has been two days since you completed your interview, and you still have not heard back from the company. Your e-mail has become one of the apps on your social media rotation because you don't want to miss any mail from them. Maybe they have not even started their selection process yet and are waiting to be done interviewing all the candidates.

If you had said at the end of your interview - "Thanks so much for your time. What are the next steps in the process, and when can I expect to hear from you?" - you would have known that - "... after this interview, it would take two weeks to sift through all the applications and give you a call if you are successful."

This would have saved you the spike in your blood pressure.

You shouldn't pass up the chance to ask questions.

This is not the point where you ask about benefits or pay or what the company can do for you.

It is an opportunity to continue proving yourself while determining whether the position is a good fit.

You do not have to ask all 12 questions during your interview; instead, choose the ones most relevant to you, your interests, and the position in question.

Be mindful of time when asking your questions.

Also, try to make it as engaging as possible. It should look less like a question-and-answer session and more like a conversation.

These 12 questions are not exclusive. There are many other top questions you could ask your interviewer. Once you have conducted thorough research, questions to ask shouldn't come as a problem to you.

Now that we know not to say "NO" when asked, "Do you have any questions?" what are some questions you think need to be asked during an interview?

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