"Have you questions for us?" Interview Question

Gael23

What's a good way to answer that question. I feel I should say something but not sure what.

ElleEm

It very much depends on the job.

Gael23

Its a graduate accounting position

Tasden

It's always good to have a couple questions ready in case the one question you have ready gets covered during the interview.

I don't really know much about that line of work but some questions people usually use are "what would a typical day entail?" Or "When should I expect to hear back about this position?". Some people like to go kind of personal with it and ask the panel what they like most about the company or stuff like that but I myself wouldn't be mad on that approach.

Or sometimes people will ask about progression within the company. What are the opportunities in the future kind of thing. I personally think that's a bit presumptuous but I know of one employer who suggests asking this.

I know I've kind of given you a list of what I don't really like but it might give you an idea or else others might chime in and say yay or nay on some. Good luck anyway!

Valetta

Gael23 wrote: »

Its a graduate accounting position

Is it a practice?

See if you can get any information on the company and their major clients.

You could ask whether they specialize in any particular areas eg. Taxation, insolvency etc.

Basically try to find something that shows you have a genuine interest in working for that particular company.

Mark74

Im in a completley different industry, but if the interview includes a tour of the building, and i spot something, i usually try to store up a question or 2 rather than blurting them all out along the way. Although not sure if that works for you. On the other hand, i know when its done where i work its often just to see if you have any real interest...sometimes its like they all need to have a fire lit under their ass, and you're waiting just for 1 interviewee to showsome genuine and honest interest and enthusiasm.

Gael23

Valetta wrote: »

Is it a practice?

See if you can get any information on the company and their major clients.

You could ask whether they specialize in any particular areas eg. Taxation, insolvency etc.

Basically try to find something that shows you have a genuine interest in working for that particular company.

It's a large accounting firm

seamus

So, "what kind of career paths are available to me", "what are the company's big goals over the next five years". If you're interviewing with a partner, personalise that one a bit - ask him what his plans are for his business area - and he'll talk for ages and come away feeling positive.

If it's a HR person, then no harm to ask HR-ey type questions such as, "Do I get any leave to study for exams", etc.

If you genuinely don't have any questions, don't be afraid to say that, but qualify it like, "No, I had a few but you've answered them all while we've been chatting". That way you don't sound like you're disinterested.

ziedth

My go to questions if I genuinely don't have one:

How did the position become available and any opportunity for progression.

I do allot of interviews and I have to say I look allot more favourably on anyone who asks a question and seems interested

Gael23

seamus wrote: »

So, "what kind of career paths are available to me", "what are the company's big goals over the next five years". If you're interviewing with a partner, personalise that one a bit - ask him what his plans are for his business area - and he'll talk for ages and come away feeling positive.

If it's a HR person, then no harm to ask HR-ey type questions such as, "Do I get any leave to study for exams", etc.
.

Its a director and a HR person.
I did an Interview prep course a while ago and I was told to give a "sales pitch" of myself at this point. I have had interviews since and I didn't really feel comfortable to do that.

user.name

I've had similar interviews in the last week. I always asked the question is there anything on my application you are hesitant about? That allows the interviewer to ask you about something they forgot or that they didn't want to ask you too much. I found that a great question because it allows you further yourself on anything the interviewer may not like and to also get a view on what they think of you.
Another question could be how much of this role is client facing. This gives you the chance to say that you regard this as an important element to you in the role and also gives you first hand experience in seeing transactions etc. It really depends on who is interviewing you.they will always introduce themselves, use what they say such as if they mention they worked in an office abroad how is that different to here.

seamus

Gael23 wrote: »

Its a director and a HR person.
I did an Interview prep course a while ago and I was told to give a "sales pitch" of myself at this point. I have had interviews since and I didn't really feel comfortable to do that.

When you think of a sales pitch, you think of someone rattling off a five-minute bull**** presentation in front of a room of people to try and "wow" them.

In reality it's more about being positive about yourself and forthcoming about what you can do, in the course of conversation.
Culturally in Ireland we tend to be humble about ourselves and look down on people who brag or otherwise talk themselves up. But the interview process is one of the few times you're permitted to talk about yourself in a positive sense and tell the interviewer what you're good at and what you have achieved.

It's kind of hard to get used to at first, but it does become easier.

Treat the interview not as an exam to be passed or a game that you have to play by the rules. Treat it as a conversation, but one that's almost entirely about you. You are an expert on the subject of you, but you're just not used to talking about it.

ziedth

user.name wrote: »

I've had similar interviews in the last week. I always asked the question is there anything on my application you are hesitant about? That allows the interviewer to ask you about something they forgot or that they didn't want to ask you too much. I found that a great question because it allows you further yourself on anything the interviewer may not like and to also get a view on what they think of you.
Another question could be how much of this role is client facing. This gives you the chance to say that you regard this as an important element to you in the role and also gives you first hand experience in seeing transactions etc. It really depends on who is interviewing you.they will always introduce themselves, use what they say such as if they mention they worked in an office abroad how is that different to here.

That is actually a brilliant question. Great advice...

Lux23

I always look at recent news items on their website and ask a question about a project/activity.

Gael23

Lux23 wrote: »

I always look at recent news items on their website and ask a question about a project/activity.

The company has taken over another smaller company recently so could I ask something like how will that change the company?