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Going into a job interview? You need some really hot questions to get the interviewer thinking, and at the same time prove your skill in being able to peel back the lid on the job’s potential.

1. Questions that define success – short and medium term – what does it look like?
2. Questions about culture – what’s it like working here?
3. What are the currently challenges the company is facing?
4. What is the onboarding process like – and what are the expectations from Day 1?
5. What are the developmental opportunities?

All of these mean the interviewer has to imagine you in the job whilst they answer – how you’re going to fit in, how you could advance in the company.

Another great job interview question is to admit, almost, what you don’t know:

“What question haven’t I asked, the answer to which would help me fully understand the expectations for this role?”

This gives the interviewer the opportunity to choose a vital element (that you couldn’t have known about anyway), and this brings them closer to seeing you in the role and also as someone worthy of that knowledge at this early stage.

In truth, most candidates don’t do enough interview preparation and research or ask enough questions, and many candidates make up answers, which is a huge mistake. Honesty is so important in job interviews.

Lastly, candidates don’t have to accept awful questions. Without being rude, it is perfectly fair to question the reason or premise of a question.

“Why didn’t you do very well in your GCSEs?”

“Before I answer that, how is my answer (about something that happened 10 years ago) going to help you assess my suitability for this job now?”

Want more questions to ask at your next job interview?

We explore this topic in the latest episode of The Reality of Business: How to Interview Better (Part 2): The Questions Every Candidate Should Ask.