The best follow-up questions to ask at a job interview

Job interviews can be challenging to prepare for, as you never know what questions might be thrown your way. However, preparing follow-up questions to ask at a job interview  will help ensure you stand out from the crowd…

Interviewers will almost certainly ask whether you have any questions for them at the end of your interview, and it can leave a bad impression if you’re not prepared. To help with this, Guy Thornton, Founder of Practice Aptitude Tests, has provided the following list of ideal questions to ask—and why they’re beneficial:

These 5 follow-up questions to ask at a job interview will leave a good impression

 1. What are some challenges I might experience in this role?

“This question shows that you’re eager to prepare for challenging situations within the role, rather than pretend they won’t happen.

“Interviewers want to know whether you can think on your feet and how well you will react in high-pressure situations while maintaining a positive attitude.”

2. What skills would I need to further develop for this position?

“This is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities you may have within the role, and it expresses your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. The great thing about this question is that it shows you have an appetite to progress within the company and develop your skills beyond what they are now.

“The employer should give a clear outline of the expectations they have for the role and provide insight into how you can fulfil these expectations effectively.”

3. What makes this company unique?

“Asking the interviewer company-specific questions helps you learn more about the business and its values. You should have done your homework on this beforehand, but gaining deeper insight from existing employees is invaluable and helps you picture whether you would enjoy working there.

“These questions will enable you to fill any gaps you may have about the company that you weren’t able to uncover prior to the interview. Asking for more information about their products, services, clients, customers, or target audience shows that you take initiative and have a genuine interest in the business.”

4. What’s your favourite part of working here?

“This question can sometimes catch interviewers off guard, but it’s a great way to gain more insight into their personality and attitude towards the company. An interviewer may not be expecting this question, as it’s slightly more personal than questions about the business or its products.

“However, it allows the interviewer to reflect on their experiences on a more personal level, and it might make you more memorable compared to other candidates.”

5. What are the company’s plans for growth and development?

“If you’re being interviewed by a senior leader, this is an excellent question to ask, as they’re in the best position to answer it.

“Once again, it highlights your eagerness to potentially grow with the company, and it provides you with an opportunity to emphasise how you can contribute to the company’s development.”

Read more about prep for job interviews and the 3 critical skills you need to succeed.