The most revealing questions candidates have asked in interviews

Posted on Friday, October 18, 2024 by Guest BloggerNo comments

When you’re interviewing for office support jobs in London, it’s important to remember that the interview is a two-way street. While you’re there to impress the employer, it’s also your opportunity to ask insightful questions to determine whether the role is a good fit for you. The questions you ask can reveal a lot about the company, the role, and the working environment.

Here are some of the most revealing questions candidates have asked, along with how the answers they got helped them.

“How do you measure success in this role?”

One of the most important questions you can ask is about performance expectations. Katie, who works as an executive assistant, explained how this question helped her land her current role: “I wanted to know what success would look like so I could be sure the company’s expectations aligned with my strengths. When the interviewer outlined clear metrics, I knew exactly what was expected of me and felt confident that I could meet those targets.”

How it helps: This question shows you’re serious about excelling in the role and want to know how to contribute effectively. It also gives you a better understanding of what the employer values, which is crucial when considering office support jobs in London.

“Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with?”

The work environment is just as important as the job itself. Emily asked this question during an interview and found it to be a game-changer: “The way the interviewer spoke about the team gave me a sense of how competitive the environment might be. It helped me figure out whether I’d be comfortable working with them every day.”

How it helps: By asking about the team dynamic, you can gauge whether the culture is collaborative or more individualistic. For office support jobs in London, where teamwork is often essential, this can be a revealing question to ask.

“What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now?”

Jay, an office manager, asked this question and was pleasantly surprised by the openness of the response. “They talked about some organisational changes and how it was impacting staff. It was really honest and gave me a sense of the challenges I might face if I took the job,” he shared.

How it helps: This question shows you’re thinking strategically about the company’s future and how you could fit into it. It can also give you a sense of any potential difficulties you might encounter, helping you make a more informed decision.

“What opportunities are there for progression within this role?”

Career growth is an important consideration, especially in office support jobs in London, where you may want to move into higher administrative positions. Sarah, who works as a PA, recalled how this question helped her clarify her future: “I wanted to make sure there were opportunities to grow. When they mentioned a clear path for progression, I felt more secure about taking the role.”

How it helps: Asking about progression shows ambition and foresight. It’s an excellent way to learn whether the role offers long-term potential or if it’s more of a stepping stone.

“Can you describe the company’s approach to work-life balance?”

Dave, who works in customer service, was cautious about taking on a role that might demand too much of his personal time. “I’ve had roles before where the work-life balance was terrible. I asked this question to make sure I wouldn’t be expected to work late all the time, and I appreciated how upfront they were about their expectations.”

How it helps: This is an increasingly common concern, and for good reason. Understanding the company’s stance on work-life balance is crucial for maintaining your wellbeing, especially in busy office support jobs in London.

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