Asking questions at job interview

mel.b

I am preparing for a job interview and have some questions that I want to ask during the interview, but I'm wondering how many questions are too many? I have 5 questions at the moment, although I could easily ask more. 3 are related to the job spec and 2 are related more generally to the company. Is this ok? For example, the job spec says 'may have a clinical role if required' and I'd like to get an idea if this is likely and how much of the time would be devoted to that in comparison to the main role.

rob w

mel.b wrote: »

I am preparing for a job interview and have some questions that I want to ask during the interview, but I'm wondering how many questions are too many? I have 5 questions at the moment, although I could easily ask more. 3 are related to the job spec and 2 are related more generally to the company. Is this ok? For example, the job spec says 'may have a clinical role if required' and I'd like to get an idea if this is likely and how much of the time would be devoted to that in comparison to the main role.

I always find that if the interviewers are any good they will do a good job of explaining the role at the beginning of the interview, sometimes answering your questions before you even ask them.

The question you mentioned there is definitely one you need to ask, in my opinion. You need to understand exactly what you will be doing if you get the job.

Its perfectly normal to ask questions, it makes you look interested! For your questions about the company, I would try not to ask anything you could easily find out through your own simple research through!

Some of your questions you may be able to work them into conversation throughout the interview?

the_pen_turner

you should be interviewing the employer just as much as they are interviewing you. a few questions would be normal

OMM 0000

It is absolutely normal and reasonable to have a few questions about the job and company. The people interviewing you will be happy to answer your questions.

Also, you don't need to wait until the end of the interview to ask these questions - you can ask them at appropriate points during the interview.

Basically, an interview is like a formal conversation. It's a polite back and forth, where you figure out if you're a good match for each other.

I've interviewed hundreds of people, and I've never thought to myself "why is this fella asking so many questions", so don't worry.

Good luck!

Outkast_IRE

Agree with all of the above.

I often find questions good to help direct the interview.

For example if they have scheduled 1hr for the interview and for that entire hour they are only asking you questions, they can cover a huge amount of ground and you may feel bombarded. But if using your questions you can subtley direct the conversation that hour will feel a lot less and go more smoothly for you.

AndrewJRenko

2 or 3 questions are good at the end, but don't go over the top. You don't have to get all your questions in at the interview. If things progress, you can look for a further opportunity to sit down and discuss it.

If it is a public sector interview with a panel, it is likely that they will be on a schedule of one hour per candidate, including time for panel discussion, scoring and note-taking. That will probably leave about 40-45 minutes per candidate. You don't want to be the one to screw up their schedule.

If you can build some of your questions into the discussion, all the better.

bucketybuck

When giving interviews I never minded answering relevant questions, and would actually say that 2 questions are too few.

There are some people that only ask questions because they were told its a good thing to ask a few questions at the end, not because they genuinely wanted to know more. Thats the sort of person who asks 2 basic questions and then looks blank if you ask have they any more.

The person who is confident in themselves and savvy enough to want to know what they are getting into? That person has thought about things and has things they want to know, they ask lots of questions and they look better for doing so.

I'm not saying to pester the interviewer with questions for an hour, but if you have 3/4/5 good, relevant questions then don't be afraid to ask them.

mel.b

Thanks all. I was just worried that 5 questions was too many, but it doesn't sound like it and there should be opportunities that I can bring them into the interview I think.