WHAT QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK TO THE INTERVIEWER

Having told you about the job, outlined the terms and conditions, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. You may have no questions at all, so instead of a bald ‘No’ which may sound like lack of interest, say that the information already provided covers everything you can think of at present.

If you can manage a question or two, it looks better, and shows you have been taking notice. Select questions with care. If yours all centre on salary, perks and holidays, it looks as though they are all you care about. The employer wants someone dedicated to the job in the first instance, not to the benefits. These questions can be raised once you have an offer if the interviewer has not dealt with them.

Questions

• Why is there a vacancy?




• How long was the last person in the job?




• Do you promote internally if suitable candidates exist?




• Are vacancies notified to existing staff?




• Does the company expect to expand in this country or abroad?

If a whole new employment area is being opened up, you can ask about training, but training questions are best avoided if you have presented yourself as skilled and experienced in the particular field. Anyone recruited as a trainee will have a programme prepared for them. If relocation is on the cards, you could raise the issue:

• There are rumours of relocation following the takeover. Have they any foundation?




• Will the company have a relocation package to assist with the move?

Entrants to the professions will want to know if study leave is available before exams, whether days off are allowed for taking the exams, or they are deducted from holidays. For example, actuarial students in insurance companies are likely to be given time, as are accountancy students in the financial services sector, but

accountancy students in the manufacturing trades would need to have the situation clarified.

• What opportunities are there to study for further qualifications?




• What opportunities are there to work in overseas branches?

Questions everyone should feel free to ask:

• When can I expect to hear from you again?




• How soon do you expect to make a decision?




• When would I be expected to start, in the event of an offer?




• I have two weeks’ holiday arranged in September. Would this be any problem?




• Is there a probationary period before a job is firm?




• Would any offer be subject to satisfactory references? To any other condition?

Unless you have another point to make, the interview will end here. You may want to mention a prominent person who would speak for you. This is fine provided

you don’t wave the name like a threat over the personnel manager and don’t pretend to a greater acquaintance than you actually have. Gather up any belongings without fuss, and make a good exit. ‘Thank you so much for seeing me’ and shake hands if one is offered. ‘I look forward to hearing from you.’