Closing Questions

By: Robyn Wolf

You’ve made a great first impression so far; dressed professionally, brought copies of your resume and researched the company, but ending the interview on a high note can be just as important.

The interview should be a conversation between you and your potential employer. They want to learn about you and your skills and you should want to know about them. Towards the end of the interview is when you want to bring up some closing questions to reinstate why this job is right for you.

Be prepared with at least two questions that show why you want the job, your ambition to do well in the role and that you have done your homework on the company. Open ended questions are the best way to go. It can spark a good conversation about the topic and you will get more insight. You don’t want to leave the interview without having a good sense of where you stand.

1. Why is this position open?

This question can reveal a lot about the role and what the company is looking for. Someone could have left because they couldn’t keep up with the job’s demands or it could also be a position they are creating.

2. Who do you think would be the ideal candidate for this position, and how do I compare?

This question is good if you have most of the skills they’re looking for, which can make you stand out. This shows what they are really looking for in a candidate and address anything you could be lacking.

3. Beyond the hard skills required to successfully perform this job, what soft skills would serve the company and position best?

This question can help reveal what else the company is looking for culture wise and what other personality skills you might need to succeed.

4. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

This gives you a quick picture of what your day would be like. Learning about the day-to-day tasks will give you more insight into what specific skills and strengths are needed.

5. Where do you think the company is headed in the next 5 years and how could this role grow?

If you plan to be in this role for some time, make sure the company is growing so you can grow with the company. This could be a great chance to talk about how you could help them achieve their goals and show you want to be with the company long term.

6. What are the biggest challenges for this position?

This question can help uncover trends and issues in the role and possibly identify areas where your skills can be of serious value.

7. What do you like best about working for this company?

Ask about your interviewer’s personal experience for additional insight into the company’s culture. This could show some of the perks about the company and gives an idea why people stay working there.

8. Is there anything else you need from me to make a decision?

This question shows you want the job and can uncover anything else you’ll need to move the process along, such as providing references, completing a test or letters of recommendation.

9. What are the next steps in the interview process?

This question shows that you are eager to move forward and can give you a timeline for following up.

10. What steps does your company take to generate an offer?

These are some key questions that can help you professionally close your interview and reveal how well you did. It’s the time to ask about salary or benefits just yet. You should wait until you are in the final steps of the interview process to negotiate with the hiring manager, recruiter or human resources representative. Let Micro Tech Staffing Group be your resource in choosing the best questions for your interview and land you your next role.