Interview tips: top questions to ask before you leave

  1. Ideally, if offered this role, what are the biggest priorities you’d like me to tackle immediately in my first 90 days?

When my clients ask this question in their interviews, they always get impressed remarks from their interviewers. Why? Because it shows that you’re already thinking about how you can be successful in the role. It lets the hiring manager know that you’re a problem solver, ready to take on challenges and deliver results right away. Plus, it gives them the chance to visualise you in the position, which drives home that you may be a perfect fit for the role.

  1. I noticed that you all are big on relational practice [or other aspects of the council’s culture], what other qualities are you looking for in the new hire that will make fitting in with the team a no brainer?

Of course, the hiring manager wants to hire someone who will be an asset and get the job done, but they also want to hire someone who will fit right in with the team. Skill set and culture fit are two main factors that influence a hiring manager’s decision when choosing the best candidate, and this question shows interviewers that you desire to be a valuable team player.

  1. Is there anything that concerns you about my background being fit for this role?

This question can feel intimidating to ask, after all, you have no idea what the interviewer has been thinking about you this whole time. However, asking this question allows you to address whatever elephant is roaming around the room. It frees the hiring manager to ask the question they may not have felt comfortable to ask, otherwise.

For example, do you have a gap on your resume? Are you coming from a completely different industry? Do you lack agency experience? If the hiring manager brings up these concerns, it gives you the chance to address it in a way that eases their worries and further shows that you’ll be successful in the position, permitting both of you to leave the interview without any second thoughts.

Swapping any lacklustre, common interview questions with these telling questions will help you end your interviews on a high-note. They’ll give you a final opportunity to show hiring managers that success and culture are your main priorities and will give you the chance to determine if the company, role and expectations align with your personal career goals.

Author

Louise Foster

Director of People