5 Smart Questions to Ask in an English Job Interview
You did it! You’re almost finished with your first job interview in English. And then the interviewer asks one last question: “Do you have any questions for me?”
You freeze.
What should you do? Is it okay to ask questions in a job interview? And if yes, what should you ask?
I know that your goal for fluency and confidence in English is to open new doors and create new opportunities. You want the chance to have a great job, use English, and travel easily. And to do that, it means you will most likely have a job interview in English.
So should you ask questions at the end of a job interview?
The short answer is: yes. Yes, you should ask questions. And today you’ll learn 5 Smart Questions to Ask in Your Job Interview and why.
Make a strong impression at the end of your interview with these questions.
Lesson by Annemarie
5 Smart Questions to Ask in an English Job Interview
Question 1: What did the previous employee do to succeed in this job?
Why is this a good question to ask?
You will learn how the company measures success or progress in this particular job.
You’ll also learn about the expectations and some of the primary responsibilities of the position. This can help you be sure that this is a job you really want and you can fulfill the expectations.
And finally, it shows the interviewer that you are interested in what it takes to be successful in this position.
Question 2: What qualities or skills do you think are necessary to be successful in this position?
Why is this a good question to ask?
This question shows the interviewer that you want are not only interested in the position, but you also want to be sure that you are a good fit.
This question also gives you another opportunity to highlight your qualities or skills that connect directly with the job. If you realize you don’t meet all the suggested characteristics, you can discuss how your skill set would compensate.
Why is this a good question to ask?
With this question, you’re telling the interviewer that you are interested in this job for a career, not just a short time. Most interviewers are looking for someone who will be with the company for a long time.
And, someone who wants to grow in the company will probably work very hard and be committed to the company. That is a good impression to give your interviewer.
Question 4: What do you enjoy most about working for this company?
Why is this a good question to ask?
First, everyone loves to talk about him or herself. When you ask this question, the interviewer has a chance to talk about his/her opinion and experience. This also shows interest in other people.
But with this question, you’ll have the opportunity to learn what it is like to work for this company? What are the positives or potential negatives? What are the values of the company or the company culture?
This information can help you be sure that you want to work for this company. For example, what if the interviewer has nothing positive to say? That could be a big warning sign that you should look for another company.
Question 5: Do you have any questions or concerns about my qualifications for this job?
Why is this a good question to ask?
This might sound like a scary question to ask but it’s great for several reasons:
- This question shows your confidence in the skills and qualifications you do have.
- It also shows that you realize you might not have all the skills you need, but you’re willing to learn and do what you need to get them. This signals a hard worker, someone committed to success and open to learning new things.
- And finally, it gives you one final opportunity to demonstrate what you do have to offer to the company with your unique strengths and skills.
After you’ve watched the video and reviewed 5 smart questions to ask at the end of your interview, I’d love to hear from you!
- What is one question from this list you’d like to ask in a job interview?
- Do you have other smart questions to recommend? Share them with me in the comments below.
~ Annemarie
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Questions 1,2,4,5 are useless and harmful. I recommend using only 3rd question.
Thanks AnneMarie tor this useful information. I have a job interview in English for an important job position next week. All your videos are practical. I would say, that other question to ask, it would be about the team work. For example, How many people are working in this department / area ? How the group is composed ?
Hi Yaneth,
I’m so glad my lessons are helpful! And please let me know how your interview goes. I’ll be eager to hear.
Your example question is certainly a great one to add to this list!
Thank you very much, I think I am slowly but surely getting ready for my next interview. This is really helpful.
Thank you so much for your valuable sharing. They are great things I should learn.
Love you.
You’re so welcome!
First of all, I want to note, that this is a very usefull lesson for me, because I really didn”t know how to answer the question at the end of the interview: ‘If I have any question?” Becuase I didn”t want to ask something unapropriate and ruin all the interview. At the same time I filled that I should ask something. At the last interview that wasn”t successful, I asked about job growth oppotunities and about my salary. I think, it was my fault. But on the other side, I think, I have a right to interested in it. So,… Read more »
Hi Inna, thanks so much for sharing. I’m glad this list of questions was useful. It sounds like you have a good plan in place for your next interview. You’re right that it’s okay to be curious about the salary. Asking other questions that show interest in the job first is a good strategy to use.
mam I watch vedios pending1 week back
1.Ma’am you are good at English
2.your expression,your smile your confedence is very well.i like it very much.
3.you feel you need to listen and still feel like it.
4.if you say that I don’t know without getting confedence,I can be an English attend interviews.
THANKQ. So much for your support mam
The best of your list is the last one, it’s fantastic because is almost like ask to the interviewer “Why don’t you hire me just now?
My question suggestions are:
1. Can you tell me a bit about your company’s training plan and career plan?
2. Are there any plans (new procedures) for the drying of the COVID-19?
Thank you so much, and always.
Hi Annemarie,
The lesson today is very useful for the people who attend interviews. Everyone gets nervous to meet the interviewer. It doesn’t matter how much you prepare. When you go there, you will get nervous. At the end of the interview, we don’t know what kind of questions we should ask. Even though we have many questions in our mind. We don’t know whether the questions will be right or wrong. Thank you for your supportive ideas.
Thanks,
Yogesh
Hi Yogesh. Thank you for your comment. We’re glad to know this lesson was helpful to you. You’re absolutely right, job interviews in English are usually stressful, it’s worth taking the time to prepare for them beforehand, just so that you can feel more comfortable on the big day.
1. What qualities or skills do you think are necessary to be successful in this position?
2. Are there any immediate tasks to be completed?
3. What will be the next step in the hiring process?
LOVE these questions, Lily!! They are definitely great to ask at the end of an interview and they show interest in the position.
hello mam ,
i am Poornima . i am from India.
mam i want to speak english with superb vocabulary , so that confident in my job interview .
i am little bit nervous while talking ..
so please help me .
Hi Poornima. Thank you for your question. Here are several free lessons available on this topic: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/collections/job-interviews-english/. You can also get a free training class on job interviews in English to learn secrets to confidence in an interview: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/confident-job-interview-course/join/
I haven’t had any interview in English yet. These type of lessons help as opening our mind for an imagined interview situation arising our ability to use the preferred expressions in a risky situation. If we are indeed well prepared in English, either way we are able to fake it ’til make it, and we can pretend our cutting edge for the tasks. I enjoy more and more that I can express myself in English. I know, I’m able to write, and if I have time I can express myself quite well in English, but I heard native speakers on… Read more »
Hi András,
Thanks for your comment. I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying your ability to express yourself in English and find this lesson useful. And perhaps for a future presentation opportunity, you’ll have the need to interview or answer questions in English.
Best, Annemarie