Interview Questions UK

Have you recently been contacted for a job interview?  If so, you may be pretty excited.  When it comes to getting a new job or starting a new career, an interview is the first step towards success.  The only problem is that many interviewees end up making costly mistakes during their interviews.  One of those mistakes is by not asking any questions.  You are advised against doing this.  Not asking any questions during a job interview gives the impression that you are not a leader, just a follower.  That is not the type of impression that you want to make.

When it comes to asking questions during a job interview, you may be wondering what type of questions you should ask.  Before examining the type of questions that you should ask, it may be best to focus on the type of questions that you shouldn’t ask.  For one, you are advised against asking about the pay or raises, like when they kick in. Salary is something that should be brought up by the interviewer.  If and when salary is discussed, you may want to ask about raises, but it is advised that you refrain from doing so, at least right away.

In keeping with questions that you should not ask, many employers give their job applicants information about their company, like a company brochure or a link to their online website.  You are advised to thoroughly examine all of the information given to you, whether that information be online or in print. This will prevent you from asking questions that you should already know the answers to.  Asking a question about the history of the company, when you were already given detailed history information, gives the impression that you did not read through the materials given to you.  This is not the type of first impression that you want to make.

Now that you know some of the questions that you do not want to ask during a job interview, you may want to focus on some of the questions that you can ask, or at least ones that are considered “safe,” to ask.  One of those questions is about the average workday or workweek.  For instance, ask if you were hired for the job, what would your workdays or workweeks be like? What type of tasks would you be required to complete?

Another question that you may want to ask during a job interview is about the company’s future?  Are there any plans for expansion?  How does the company rate against the competition?  These are interesting questions that show that you want to work for a successful company, one that will be around for a long period of time.  Asking about the stability of a company gives a good impression of yourself, as it often means that you are also looking for stability.

You may also want to ask the interviewer some personal questions, but do not go too personal.  Trying asking them about how they like working for their company.  Ask about when they started working for the company and what level did they start at.  If they advanced, ask if it was relatively easy to do?  Does the company in question tend to promote from the inside up or do they hire new employees?  This may get you on a personal level with the interviewer, which tends to make your interview more memorable.

The above mentioned questions are just a few of the many that you may want to ask an interviewer during a job interview.  In all honesty, you are advised to use your best judgment when asking questions, but it is important that you do ask at least some.

Career advisers tell jobseekers to send a thank you note after an interview.  To address the most frequently asked questions on how and what to send in a thank you note, here are some give aways.

Won’t the employer think that an applicant is desperate and a sissy applicant if he sends a thank-you letter?

Of course not.  Rarely does an employer not pleased to receive a thank-you letter.  It is considered as a common way of showing politeness, a gesture of courtesy, one way to outshine the rest of the interviewees, and a way to keep your name upfront.

Will it not jeopardize the possibility of getting the job?

Not in most cases, but it could in some point of time.  So why take the chance? (so they ask)  The answer: Most bosses wavers between the last two most promising applicants, a student and experienced officer for example, after the final interview for a certain position.  But when the boss gets a thank-you letter from the student, it made all the difference.  Because of that simple well mannered gesture, the student lands on the job.

Can it be handwritten or should it be typewritten?

Actually, it does not matter.  What’s important is the thought of doing it.  It must be tailored to your prospective company and the officer who made the interview.  Thus, respect is further established.  However, if the company, interviewer or the position being applied calls for a formal business letter, then do so.  Mostly, a handwritten note is okay if the interviewer and the applicant have built rapport. 

Will it be okay to e-mail the thank you note?

First thoughts indicate that this is a big NO.  However, it depends on the company’s culture.  If the people in the company use e-mail in all of their communication and correspondence, then it should be acceptable.  This will also apply if the company is into fast decision making when hiring applicants.  Always remember that even if e-mails fit in with the culture of the company, it’s still a better idea to follow up the email with a hard copy of your thank you.

So you can just save yourself from trouble since “anything goes” right?

NO.  On the other side of the previous story, there are prospective applicants who were almost on the verge of being hired but suddenly hit the skids after sending in a sloppy, ill-fixed thank you letters, with many typographical errors and misspelled words.  A part of having a good communication skill is being able to write effectively and companies do not need employees who have to be taught simple writing skills.

Will a borrowed thank-you letter do?

Yes, borrowing is one thing.  But make sure to look at the basic structure of the letter.  Never plagiarize the whole letter as it may be applicable to the one person but not for the other.  Surely, there are employers who can distinguish a thank-you note that has been copied or not.

If it was a panel interview should thank you letters be sent to all interviewers?

Frankly, that’s the best.  The same letter to each is as essential as making one for each.  All you have to do is edit some phrases for individuality in case the interviewers would bump in to each other and compare the notes they received.

How soon should a thank-you note be sent?

The golden rule is to send thank you notes within 24 hours after the interview.

Will it still be okay to mail the thank you note if the hiring decision will be made sooner than when the mailed thank you note is received?

Come to think of it, if the mail is too pre-historic for the hiring decision makers, then find a much speedy way: it can be via e-mail, fax, express delivery or personal delivery.  In fact, if you have hand delivered the thank you note, it can leave a great impression.

What if there’s already an offer before even sending the thank you notes?

It’s still better to send the thank you notes as this can be used to accept or decline the offer.  This could also be a confirmation of your agreement and/or understanding of the offer they have given (salary, benefits, other compensation, starting date, vacations, etc.), this way any discrepancies can be straightened out before even starting for the job.

Always find a way to make it as personalized as possible.  Try to think out of the box, you may even adapt what you have observed the interviewer has in the office during the interview.  Sending an article that you think the interviewer could be interested in is also another suggestion.

Whatever method you use, make it fast and professional.