Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview to Leave a Lasting Impression

Perhaps you’re looking for your first post-grad position, are entering the corporate world straight out of school or college, or maybe you’re feeling unsatisfied in your current job and are looking for a career change. Whatever your situation, an interview is an unavoidable, and sometimes daunting, step in the process in getting hired.

Job Interview Key Purposes

An interview has two key purposes: for the employer to find out of the interviewee is a good fit for the position, and for the interviewee to find out if the role, company and package is right for them. The latter is often overlooked, but it is imperative to get as much information as possible during the early stages of the interview process in order to make an informed decision about whether or not this opportunity is one you actually want. Getting this insight early on is particularly important if the recruitment process calls for multiple rounds of interviews (some requiring tasks and presentations), to avoid wasting valuable time and resources on both sides.

Illustrate Your Curiosity and Enthusiasm

Asking the right kind of questions is also a great opportunity for the candidate to illustrate their curiosity and enthusiasm for the role and the company, and to further demonstrate their attitude, character and competence! If you are currently preparing for an interview, you might consider asking the hiring manager some of the questions we have outlined below at the end of the interview. These questions are designed to impress and surprise the hiring manager, leaving a lasting impression that will set you aside from the competition and showcasing that you have done your research, are confident you have what it takes to excel in the role, and are hungry to succeed and progress within the company.

We would suggest asking no more than three relevant questions (don’t over-kill it!), but it’s great to have many more prepared to choose from based on how the conversation is going.

• “Is there anything you are unsure of that I can reassure you on before I leave?”
• “What makes your best current employee stand out?”
• “How do you see the company evolving over the next five years?”
• “What are the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?”
• “What do you think encourages employees to stay at this company?”
• “What progression opportunities are there in this role?”
• “How do I compare with other candidates you’ve interviewed for this role?”
• “Is there anything else I can provide to help you with your decision?”
• “What’s one of the most interesting projects you’ve worked on here?”
• “What’s your favourite thing about working here?”

Finally, ask a question that shows you have researched the company (i.e. something you have seen on their website, socials or in the news that has peaked your interest).