So much of the preparation we do before a job interview is focused on what questions we will be asked – we learn names, dates and company histories – but what about the questions we should be asking the interviewer?

Asking questions during or at the end of a job interview demonstrates you have done your homework, you are interested in the position, and you have been paying attention to what they have said during the interview. It shows you are confident, knowledgeable and serious about the position you are applying for.

Prepare to ask at least 1-2 main questions, including any follow-up questions you might have.

Here are some of our top interview questions -

What are the top qualities you want in a candidate?

The answer to this question will tell you a lot about the company, department or manager you will be working for. You will also get a good idea of the type of person the company is looking to hire.

What are the main skills/knowledge needed to complete the role successfully?

This will tell you the level of experience or expertise they want in the person filling the role – this will also give you a good idea of whether you are a competitive candidate or not.

How have past employees completed the job successfully?

This will tell you a lot about the qualities they value the most – was it the person’s efficiency, planning, time management or communication skills that made the job successful?

Ask them to describe what the culture of the company is like.

You want to know the type of company you could be working for, so why not ask those who are already working on the inside?

Ask about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role

Only ask this question if they have not already specified it in the interview. Sometimes interviewers can gloss over or fail to mention what the day-to-day role involves – are there many hours spent outside of the office or in meetings? Are you expected to work in a team or alone? These will be the types of things that make you hate or love your job.

Do you have any hesitations about my skills or qualifications?

This allows you to clarify any concerns they may have about your application before the interview is over. It also shows a lot of confidence and a commitment to the role.

Asking questions in an interview is a great way to get further information an interviewer might not be prepared to tell you outright. But, as always, you should assess the situation and only ask questions that you feel are appropriate.

Internshipmapper is a career portal for students and graduates. We also provide range of graduate recruitment services to help sourcing candidates for internships or graduate jobs,  and giving out graduate careers advice.  To hire graduates or browse graduate jobs , visit their website.​