You might think that job interviews are designed to ask you, the candidate, as many questions as possible to see if you’re a good fit for the role and the team. However, job interviews are also an opportunity for you to find out more about the company, team dynamics, and job purpose.
Asking questions will also show your interest in the position and help you to make an informed decision on whether it’s the right opportunity for you. It is important though to know which questions to ask at a first stage interview, as well as what not to ask…
Let’s explore five questions you should ask at your interview:
- What has led to this role becoming available? This question will help you to understand whether the team is growing due to new client wins, for example, or perhaps the previous role holder has been promoted which has left a gap within the team. It could be that the previous role holder has resigned or was fired, and whilst it’s unlikely the interviewer will go into detail if this is the case, asking this question can paint a good picture of the team dynamics.
- What are the short-term and long-term goals for the team? This question demonstrates your interest in the bigger picture, your understanding of commercial goals, and your enthusiasm for supporting the firm’s future vision. It could be that the firm is enjoying a period of growth and more hands are needed to meet workload whilst retaining high service standards. Or perhaps the firm is embracing a period of improvement, introducing new skillsets, processes, and technology. A follow on question from this is to ask how the role will contribute to achieving them, and this is great time to share an example of how you’ve previously helped drive success.
- How will the role fit with the current team? From asking this question you’ll be able to understand things like who you will report to and who will support you. The answer to this question can also paint a picture of what the company culture is like, and a follow on question could be to ask how professional development and progression is approached within the team.
- How is performance measured in this role? This question will showcase your interest in performing well and meeting expectations, and is a great way to get a clear understanding of the processes in place for recognising and rewarding hard work. Knowing what goals or metrics the successful candidate will need to work towards will help you to make a decision on whether you’re up to the job.
- What does a typical day look like in the office? This question seems like a simple one on the surface, but it will actually paint a picture of how the team works together, what processes are in place, and what the overall dynamic is within the office. For example, does the team have a morning meeting to catch up and discuss the day ahead, or perhaps the team works more in silo with a less formal approach to team communication.
By asking these five questions, you can gain a better understanding of the expectations the role with have, the team dynamics, and the firm’ goals and working culture. Asking thoughtful questions will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer, and this is also the case for badly placed questions…
Here are three things you SHOULDN’T say at a first stage interview:
- What salary and benefits will I get? Most jobs adverts are posted with a salary guide, which is sometimes a very wide band. In public practice accounting in particular this is often the case, as skill sets between comparative candidates for the same role will vary significantly. But bringing up the topic of salary too early in the process can not only appear a bit crass, but also actually put you in a weaker position to negotiate later. Equally do not ask about sick pay, holiday allowance and other benefits during the first interview. Once you’ve impressed the interviewer with your skills and experience and they’ve offered you the job, you’ll be able to discuss the details of the role.
- ‘I want to run my own business one day’: Ambition is a high quality, but in an interview situation we suggest that you keep your plans for world domination (or any other ambitions which involve leaving the company) firmly under your hat! During a challenging hiring landscape across public practice accounting, an interviewer won’t be pleased to hear that you’re planning on further learning from their firm before leaving to set up your own practice.
- Anything related to politics or religion: These are both complete ‘no go’ subjects when it comes to interviews. Your political bias has no bearing on your professional ability, so we advise to not bring them up. Passions often stir deep when it comes to political opinion, and making your own views clear to your prospective employer may open a can of worms, particularly if your views happen to oppose that of your interviewer. And whilst religion may well form a large part of your life, and be a part of who you are, it also doesn’t impact your ability to fulfil the role. It’s a very personal matter which shouldn’t be discussed at a first stage interview.
Job interviews may seem like a daunting process, but being prepared with some questions will help you to come out on top. Here at Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, we work closely with candidates up and down the country to not only secure job interviews but to also provide expert advice and interview prep. If you’re ready for a new opportunity within practice, we’re always here to help. Contact the team today.
