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Succeed in the workplace
Succeed in the workplace

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6.3 Prepare questions to ask

Described image
Figure 10 Prepare questions to ask

Asking questions shows you have thought about the job and how it relates to you. You will probably be given time for this at the end of any interview, so be prepared.

Obvious areas you might want to ask about include:

  • promotion opportunities – what could I expect to be doing in two years’ time?
  • performance – how is this monitored or assessed?
  • qualifications – what further study could I do? (check the employer's literature first)
  • company culture – how would they describe it?
  • retention – how long do people tend to stay?
  • next steps – when will you hear about the result of the interview? Will you be offered feedback?

Activity 8 Your questions

Timing: Allow approximately 5 minutes

The list above is obviously not a complete set of the areas you might have questions about, or the questions you would ask. Think about question areas which might be important to you personally.

Aim to add three question topics and questions to the list. An example is given for you to follow. Write your answer in your notebook.

Example: travel – in an average month, how much travel away from the office would be expected?

Comment

In any interview, you are unlikely to have enough time to ask all of the questions on your list, so choose the most appropriate. Commit the topic headings to memory and you will never be left with nothing to say when, at the end of an interview, the interviewer turns to you and says ‘Do you have any questions for us?’.

Now you’ve considered questions you may be asked and want to ask, the next section looks at how to give your best performance.