An interview is a two-way street. While the employer is assessing whether you’re a good fit for the role, you should be doing the same. One of the most critical aspects to evaluate is the company’s culture. A great job in a bad culture can lead to burnout, stress, and unhappiness. To help you uncover what a company is really like behind the polished website and mission statement, here are 10 insightful questions to ask during your next interview.
- „How does the company celebrate wins and successes?“ This question can reveal a lot about recognition, teamwork, and whether the company values its employees‘ hard work.
- „What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?“ Listen for clues about autonomy, collaboration, and work-life balance. Do they describe a rigid schedule or a flexible one?
- „Can you describe a challenging project the team recently worked on and how it was resolved?“ This helps you understand how the company handles problems. Do they encourage open communication or are issues swept under the rug?
- „How does the company support employee growth and professional development?“ The answer will tell you if they invest in their people through training, mentorship, or opportunities for advancement.
- „What’s the team’s communication style?“ This question sheds light on whether they rely on formal meetings, informal chats, or a mix of both. This can be crucial for your personal work style.
- „What’s the leadership style here?“ Are managers hands-on or do they give employees more independence? This is a key factor in your day-to-day happiness.
- „How does the company handle feedback, both positive and constructive?“ A healthy culture embraces open and honest feedback. Pay attention to whether they have a formal process for performance reviews or if it’s more ad hoc.
- „What’s the company’s approach to work-life balance?“ You need to know if working late is the norm or the exception. The response will indicate if they truly value their employees‘ personal time.
- „What do you love most about working here?“ This is an excellent question to get a genuine, personal response. The interviewer’s enthusiasm (or lack thereof) can be very telling.
- „What kind of person thrives here?“ The answer to this question is a direct window into the company’s values. Are they looking for highly collaborative team players, independent innovators, or a mix of both?
For anyone looking for a new job in the UK, especially if you’re keen on finding a role that’s a perfect cultural fit, you should check out MyJobsi.co.uk. It’s a fantastic job portal that offers free job advertising, making it a great resource for both job seekers and employers.