5 questions you must ask your future employer

Do you know who you'll be replacing in the new organisation? The trick is to find out more about the job profile and the company that is hiring you before you sign on the dotted line.

When the interview process comes closer towards the end, one of the most commonly asked questions by the interviewer is 'Do you have any questions?'

In case you said 'No', you are simply missing the opportunity to foresee your future career prospects with the company.

If you were to ask the right questions, you'd be able to sniff out whether the opportunity offered to you matches your dream job.

Just like you prepare yourself for the questions posed by the future employer, it won't be a bad idea to go prepared with few good and relevant questions that matter to your career.

Question 1: Can you brief me how a typical day would look like in this job role at your company?

The answer to this question would give you a clear idea of all the responsibilities and tasks that you would be required to perform.

Even before you join the organisation, you will have a mental picture of your work routine, challenges, and strategies you'll have to come up with in order to move ahead.

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Question 2: Is this a new job opening? Or was there anyone working for this position previously?

There is always a story behind a new opportunity in the organisation.

Inquiring about that would help you understand why the opportunity has been made available to you.

The idea is to understand the importance and urgency of the position you are being offered.

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Question 3: Since how long have you been connected with this company?

The interviewer might be surprised by this question but if s/he realises that your intention is to find the merits of the company, they'd definitely tell you a thing or more about the company's work culture.

The trick is to sound enthusiastic and treat their responses with a confident smile.

In case s/he lays behind, coughs, acts reluctant to part with information or starts with 'well...' and pauses for long, take it as a red signal and remember to do some more research with both previous and current employees of the organisation.

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Question 4: Can you brief me a bit about the work environment and corporate culture here?

This one is more specific.

There is so much more than happy hours or free coffee that one needs to know about the company you are going to work with.

In order to have a good career, you must also be able to enjoy the path of reaching it.

How often do you receive employee feedback?

What is the communication channel? Is there a dress code?

These things will help you gauge your future happiness in the company.

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Question 5: What are company’s initiations towards learning and development?

Learning and development are the two important aspects of growth.

It is important to know the initiations of the company towards this segment as this is crucial for growing ahead in your career.

While you're preparing to ask the above questions, be sure to simply stay away from some really silly questions like these:

• Questions regarding information that a random Google search can provide you: Eg. When was your company founded? Who is the owner?
• Questions regarding salary hike, time off, benefits, etc. (Reserve these for the final stages after you've received the offer letter)
• Too many questions about interviewer’s background
• Questions on the company’s policies on background checks, monitoring employee e-mails and/or internet usage

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