If you’ve done an interview before, you might’ve been asked: “Do you have any questions for us?” This might have caused you a moment of panic, as you were mostly preparing to be the one answering! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with 3 key ideas for questions that will make you stand out and impress your interviewer.
Ask the interviewers about their experiences. This is a great way to ease up the mood as people are usually very happy to share their career journey. The purpose of asking this question is twofold. One is that you get to build rapport with your interviewers, especially if you find a common ground, such as having the same hobby or having gone to the same school. Second, you get to find out more about the company from the perspective of your interviewers – current employees within the company. Remember that an interview is a two-way conversation, as they’re assessing your suitability for the company but you’re also assessing the company’s suitability for you, at the same time! This is a perfect opportunity to hear first-hand about the specific types of work they do and the culture within the team.
Ask questions about the company you’re applying to. This sounds general, but it will depend on the specific company you’re applying to. For example, if you’re interviewing at a private equity firm, you could ask about some of the recent deals they’ve done. Asking questions like this shows your interviewers that you have done your research and read extensively about the company, which demonstrates your keen interest in joining them! If the company publishes industry reports or insights, read up on a few of those and discuss them with your interviewers. You could ask them about their perspectives on these topics, or ask to clarify certain points in the reports. This works especially well if one of your interviewers authored the report you’re bringing up!
Ask about the sector. This could involve reading recent news within the financial industry, or monitoring recent market movements. Asking the interviewers about their perspectives on the potential impact of trends like sustainable finance or trade wars on the industry and its performance would do well to set you apart from the crowd, because it shows your business acumen and the fact that you’re keeping up to date with industry dynamics. Further, sharing some of your own ideas and opinions on a recent initial public offering or merger in the sector will also display your fascination in markets and your high-level thinking capabilities.
Regardless of which questions you ask in the interview, remember that this is your chance to shine. Make it personal by sharing your perspectives and showing your interest. As with preparing for other interview questions, make sure you’ve done the necessary readings and research.
Hopefully that has provided you with some ideas for your next interview! For more interview tips, check out our article on digital interviews here. Good luck!
