When the interviewer is about to end the interview, consider if you have covered all the important points you wanted to cover.
Often at the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask you a question such as “Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?” Take a moment (or ask the interviewer for a moment) to consider whether there’s any important information about your qualifications and/or interest in the job that you did not mention. At this time, you can refer to your résumé or notes to ensure you have covered all relevant points.
Toward the end of an interview, it’s common for the interviewer to ask whether you have any questions for them. This is another great opportunity for you to mention any points you may have forgotten and is your main opportunity to gather information you want/need to know about the job and/or employer.
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Refer to: Questions you can ask |
At the end of an interview, you can also ask about (or clarify) the hiring process timeline and what will occur before a successful candidate is selected.
You may be curious about:
When the employer plans to make and communicate a decision
Whether you should make an inquiry as a follow-up
If and when there will be a follow-up/second interview and/or visit to the organization
If and when there will be meeting(s) with other members of the organization
For co-op students:
In most cases, the hiring process timeline is structured around the co-op process and is outlined in the important dates calendar. If an employer has chosen to deviate from the co-op process, they will usually proactively provide you with this information during the interview. If you have concerns, you can ask the employer questions about the hiring process or next steps. You can also discuss any interview-related questions you may have.
At the end of an interview, if you are interested in the job/employer, express your enthusiasm, thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you and respond to your questions. Ideally, you will know the names of your interviewer(s), if you don’t, it’s a good idea to ask for a business card or contact information for each interviewer that you can use to craft a thank-you letter/email if you choose to send one to the interviewer(s).
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Questions you can ask |
Asking questions at the end of an interview is a great opportunity to supplement the information you gained and help you determine whether the job fits your personality, skills, interests and values. Asking questions at the end of an interview demonstrates your interest in the job to the interviewer(s) by showing your curiosity and knowledge about the role/employer.
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Naturally, some questions will come to mind during the interview, but it’s a good idea to prepare at least two questions in advance. |
Your question(s) should ideally relate to the position and show enthusiasm and knowledge. By asking thoughtful questions that genuinely matter to you, you will demonstrate to the employer that you’re serious about the organization and the job.
It’s best to create your own genuine questions; however, the following example may give you a starting point:
What are the top priorities for someone in this position?
Please describe a typical day on the job.
How does your company foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
What training programs do you have available for your employees?
What level of responsibility could I expect in this position?
Is there a typical career path for a person in this position?
What are the company’s plans for the future?
I've been reading about trends in [TOPIC]. Given these new directions, is there anything (non-confidential, of course) you could share with me about some of the opportunities and challenges you see coming for this field/sector overall or even for [COMPANY/ORGANIZATION NAME] in particular?
How would you describe your organization’s management style, culture, and/or working environment?
What do you like most about your organization?
How are employees evaluated and promoted in your organization?
For co-op students:
Can you tell me what the expected salary is for this position to help me arrange my budget for next term?
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