Career Expert: These are the questions you should always ask at the end of a job interview — and the five things you should never do
- A leading Australian careers expert shared the questions to ask at a job interview
- Téa Angelos is the CEO of the Smart Women Society and the author of a new book
- She said your questions must demonstrate your skills and knowledge for the role
- She also shared the five things you should never do in a job interview and why
- Téa always shared her tips on how to handle a job interview
A careers expert shared the questions you should ask at the end of a job interview — and the five things you should never do.
Australian founder and CEO of Smart Women Society Téa Angelos said before an interview ends, she always has two or three questions up her sleeve to ask a potential employer.
The reason she’s asking these questions is so she can show that she has a “genuine interest” in working for the company and to learn everything she needs to know before starting.
Scroll down for videos
A careers expert shared the questions you should ask at the end of a job interview — and the five things you should never do (pictured Smart Women Society founder Téa Angelos)
The reason Téa (pictured) is asking these questions is because she wants to show that she has a “genuine interest” in working for the company and learning everything she needs to know before starting
The first question Téa asks is: what does a typical day look like in this role?
“By asking this question, you’re trying to get more context about what your day-to-day activities might entail,” she told FEMAIL.
“While the job description would have given you an understanding of the roles and responsibilities you will have, it often does not provide enough context to the actual activities you will perform on a day-to-day basis.”
The 25-year-old sometimes supplements this question with: What are the success indicators in this role?
“This could point to strict key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics, or relate to higher-level indicators like creativity and innovation,” she said.
But it’s important to ask, because understanding what the company considers a success will ensure you’re both on the same page.
Next, the career expert said it can be a good idea to find out what growth opportunities exist in the role.
This is important as it shows the interviewer that you both want to learn and develop while also demonstrating your attitude and goals.
“All jobs are part of a larger plan and strategy that a company is pursuing. By asking this question, you may be able to learn about the longer-term plans for the role and what it means within the broader company,” said Téa.
Other questions you can ask are: What are some of the company’s goals for the next few years?
You can also ask about company culture and “someone else’s favorite part of working at the company.”
“If you’re asking someone what their favorite job is, this question tries to get a real-life answer from the interviewer that isn’t just in the job ad on the website,” Téa said.
“Don’t be afraid to continue the conversation from the answer to get more details on what you enjoy most about your role.”
You can ask about company culture and “someone else’s favorite part of working at the company” as these are good ways to get an honest answer to a question
How to master a job interview every time
1. Do your research: “Preparation is key to surpassing your interview and landing the job. Start with thorough background research about the company, the culture, the role, and the interviewer. Familiarize yourself with the company’s website and social media. Understand the history, mission, products and services, key leaders, future plans and commitment. Find out who will be interviewing her and look for her on LinkedIn.”
2. Practice Common Questions: “There are a variety of standard questions that are asked by most interviewers, regardless of industry or seniority. Prepare answers to them. Typical examples are questions like “Tell me about a time when…” and you should use the STAR Technique (Situation, Task, Action, Outcome) to answer them.”
3. Dress smartly: “What you wear to your interview largely depends on the industry and the company’s dress code. The best way to find out is to check out the website and see what the staff are wearing in photos. If you are still unsure, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.”
4. Get over your nerves: “If the interview is in person, be nervous and plan ahead for how to get there, including traffic and parking. Try to arrive 15-30 minutes early so you can familiarize yourself with the destination and review your notes.’
5. Make a good impression: “Finally, it’s important to make a good first impression by building a rapport with the interviewer. They usually know within the first few minutes of an interview if they want to hire you, so be polite to everyone. Avoid speaking ill of your current or previous employer and ask for the interviewer’s email address so you can say thank you.’
Téa said you should inquire about the key indicators of success in the role (pictured) as this will ensure you are on the same page before starting
Five things not to do in a job interview
· Showing no interest or enthusiasm for the role
· Talking bad about your current/former employer
· Showing up late
Being unprepared (unresearched, unfamiliar with the company and the role)
· Poor body language or posture, no eye contact
Finally, Téa said you could ask what the next steps in the process are – as it shows the interviewer that you are “serious and eager for the role”.
“By asking this question, you’ll also gain insight into what to expect as the process continues and the timelines involved,” she said.
“Every company hires differently. So if you know the process, stay patient and know when is the right time to follow up.”
Téa revealed the five things you should never do in a job interview.
These include a lack of interest or enthusiasm, bad-mouthing of your current or previous employer, showing up late, being unprepared, and poor body language or posture without eye contact.
Téa Angelos is publishing her first book, Smart Moves: Simple Ways to Take Control of Your Life – Money, Career, Wellbeing, Love this year. For further information please click here.