3 Questions to ask employers at the end of an interview

Interviews can be stressful. You spend hours trying to anticipate the questions you'll be asked, planning your outfit, getting your resume in order, and then the actual interview is over in a blur. You'll probably feel quite a bit of relief at the end of the interview, but resist the urge to leave as soon as the interview is over.

The end of the conversation offers you a unique opportunity to learn more about the position and the company.

Consider asking the interviewer these three questions before you walk out of the office:

1. What do you like about working here?

By asking interviewers about their opinions regarding the company, you can get a first-hand account of what current employees value about the organization. Pay close attention to how the interviewer answers this question because it will help you make your decision should you receive a job offer.

For example, if interviewers respond with their feelings about the company's values, this presents an opportunity to learn about how the organization addresses employee satisfaction. If the interviewer is proud of the company's culture, you can decide if it appeals to you, as well.

"One of the biggest motivators for the majority of our candidates when looking for a new role is to work with good people – including manager and coworkers – and be part of an organization that treats its employees well while offering competitive benefits," explains Laura Colby, Division Director of Beacon Hill's Associates Division in New York City. "This question will help determine if the company is able to match most, if not all, of the items on a candidate's wish list."

Should the interviewer struggle to answer this question, it's not necessarily a warning sign, but it's something to consider. He or she may provide an answer that seems vague, but don't let that discourage you. Asking follow-up questions shows you're a serious candidate.

2. How has this position changed over the years?

Many of today's most common jobs didn't exist a few decades ago. A report from Glassdoor showed that many positions in the technology sector would have sounded like science fiction at the turn of the century. Jobs like data scientists, social media managers, cloud architects and many more have evolved greatly since the early 2000s. This trend is going to continue for some time. In fact, the World Economic Forum estimated that 65 percent of children now in primary school will be employed in positions that don't exist today.

This context is important because there's a good chance that the position you're interviewing for is new or hasn't existed for long. This question gives you a chance to get more information on how the position fits into the overall business and how you may be able to influence how it evolves in the future. This could be a good opportunity to show your prospective employer your initiative.

3. Can you offer me this job today?

It never hurts to ask if the interviewer is ready to make a decision. Career coach and best-selling author Richard Bolles told his readers to always ask for the job before leaving the interview. At worst, the interviewers will tell you they need more time to make the decision; at best, you'll get an offer on the spot. But the important thing to remember is this: If you don't ask, you'll never know if the answer could have been "yes." If you are working with a recruiter, however, please note that you can also funnel these inquiries through the recruiter. They will have a good idea of the timeline the company has in mind and can give you an overview of the hiring process.

This is a big question to ask, but it shows the interviewer that you're confident in your abilities, skills and experience. These are things you've been saying throughout the interview, and this last question shows that you believe in yourself.

Working with an expert recruiter is a great way to prepare for your next interview. To learn more, visit BeaconhillStaffing.com today.

This content is brought to you by the Marketing Team at Beacon Hill Staffing Group.