It’s the question we anticipate with dread the most: “Do you have any questions for us?” You’ve already expended a great deal of time and effort to prepare the answers for the questions the interviewer would ask you. Now surely, this part of the interview doesn’t require much thought?
Huge mistake! This is the time you have free rein to ask what you like and continue to sell yourself and shine in the process—so as a candidate for a leadership or management role, choose carefully.
Why Do They Ask ‘Do You Have Any Questions For Us?’
The questions you ask during the interview put you in the driver’s seat to explore and weigh up your options, helping you analyze if the company is one you would like to work with. Do their values align with your core values? Will accepting an offer to work here further your career goals and help you develop to be a better manager? How do they support their managers and leaders? These are all factors that need to be considered, and asking strategic questions provides eye-opening opportunities for you to get the answer, right from the horse’s mouth.
Additionally, the question, “Do you have any questions for us?” opens the opportunity for you to showcase more of your leadership expertise and strategic management thinking. This is because employers are looking to see you demonstrate your interest in the role and, especially in a management position, they want to see that you are committed for the long term.
What Are Good Questions To Ask At The End Of The Interview?
Let’s have a look at 12 excellent questions you can ask towards the end of your job interview for a leadership or management role:
- Can you describe the composition of the team I will be leading, and what key roles do they play for this project/organization?
- What are your key priorities and goals for this department in the coming year?
- Where do you see this organization a year from now? Three years from now?
- Can you tell me about a leadership initiative you are currently undertaking and how I will factor into this/what role will I play in it?
- What are your expectations for what you’d like to see me achieve within the first 90 days? What would you like for me to have accomplished in this role six months from now?
- How do you measure success in this management position? What will my KPIs be?
- What avenues and resources do you offer managers for professional development, ongoing learning, and career progression?
- What is your performance review and feedback process like for this position?
- What are your growth plans for this year and next year?
- Are there any new projects coming up that may impact my role in any way?
- How does the company support work-life balance organization-wide, and especially for managers with demanding roles?
- Is this a newly-created post? If not, what did the last person who filled this role do that you would like me to emulate in this role, or not do that you would like me to change/do differently?
There you have it! Ask these questions, and most importantly, ensure that they are tailored to the specific information you have gathered from your research on the company, and throughout the interview process. Be thoughtful about the questions you choose; for example, don’t ask about KPIs, if the information is already there in the job advert, or if they’ve already told you in the interview.
When you tailor according to the context and ask questions that are deep and insightful, you will leave a lasting positive impression on the interviewers, while gathering critical details to ensure you are making an informed decision.
Source: Forbes
