Unique interview questions to ask employers

When you’re up against several talented applicants, a great way to set yourself apart is by asking the employer detailed and unique questions during your interview. Not only will this help to demonstrate your seriousness about the position, but it will also highlight to the interviewer that you’re forward-thinking, invested in making the role a success, and genuinely interested in positively impacting business growth.

It also shows that you have done your homework! There is nothing worse than feeling unprepared or caught off guard during the interview process, so planning out what you’d like to ask your prospective employer will help to guide your research and enable you to go gain a clear understanding of whether the role is right for you. So, if you’re looking for inspiration on questions to ace at an interview, we have compiled a list of our top 10 unique questions to ask employers below.

Alternatively, if you’re a marketer looking to make your next career move and wanted some guidance more specific to your industry, take a look at ourmarketing interview questions and answers you need to know, or digital marketing interview questions and answers to ace the interview.

Top 10 unique interview questions to ask an employer

When considering what questions to ask at an interview, there are a few that instantly spring to mind. But the thing is, it’s likely the other candidates are asking the same questions! It’s important to try and think outside of the box and delve a little deeper into what questions will not only make you look good but also help you to gain a better understanding of the business.

Remember, interviews are also an opportunity for you to interview the employer, not just the other way round! Depending on how many stages there are, you may only get one or two shots at finding out as much as you can, as well as make a good initial impression. So, if you’re looking to land your dream role, try out any of our top 10 unique questions to ask employers below.

1.      Why are you looking to fill this role and how will it impact the business?

Find out if the role is brand new or if they are looking to fill an existing position as the previous employee is moving on. If it’s the latter, you can even dig a bit deeper and ask why that person is leaving.

If the role is brand new, ask whether you’ll have the opportunity to shape it as your own, or if they have a clear idea of how it will slot into the wider team and existing business activities. It’s important to find out how the role will positively impact the business and how much value you will add, but this question also demonstrates an eagerness to perform.

2.      What are the important milestones you’d like to see achieved in the first few months?

This question is key if you’d like to gain a better understanding of what to prioritise in your first few months. It also helps you to gauge your planned trajectory and if that is in keeping with what you had in mind for your career progression.

3.      Does this role offer continued training or education?

This question is a win-win, as not only does it demonstrate to your employer that you are ambitious and keen to develop and grow your skillset, but it also lets you know if CPD is prioritised within the business. This will differ for each employer, so the answer you get will help you determine if it is somewhere you can see yourself advancing.

4.      Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?

When we change jobs, we want to make sure that it is an environment where we can see ourselves in the long run. Enquiring after the company’s progression plans will enable you to understand where they see themselves in the market, as well as gain a general sense of job security. You may even learn about exciting upcoming projects that you’d love to sink your teeth into!

5.      Who are your competitors and what do you think they do better?

This question shows that you are aware of the market and interested in learning how the company compares itself to its competitors. It might not be a question that they expect, so it also helps to keep the interviewers on their toes and show them that you are forward-thinking and serious about the position!

6.      Describe your company culture in three words

Company culture is important to everyone! You’ll want to know if their culture is in-line with your values and if it is somewhere that will drive your productivity, not hinder it. Find out if you’d enjoy working at the organisation daily and by asking them to use only three words, this cuts out the waffle and gets straight to the good stuff!

7.      How do you ensure your workplace is diverse and inclusive?

This will help give you an idea of whether the company values diversity as much as they say they do. You can also enquire about their DE&I initiatives and how they go about encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture.

8.      How do you take care of your employees’ mental health and wellbeing?

Burnout is a real issue and it’s good to find out what the business does to prevent this in their teams. This will help you to understand the relationship the company has with their employees and if you feel it is an environment where you’ll feel looked after and valued.

9.      What do you enjoy most about working for this organisation?

Put your interviewer on the spot and ask what they enjoy most about working for the business! This will give you a first-hand insight into what’s great about the company and whether it’s something you can see yourself being a part of.

10.  What do you find most challenging about working for this organisation?

Like the question above, this will hopefully reveal some of the challenges of working at the business. It also sets an open and honest tone and allows you to flip the interview around to the interviewers, as we mentioned before, you need to decide whether they are the right fit for you, not just the other way round.

How can DMCG Global help?

Our global talent consultancy helps to quickly connect brands with the right individuals anywhere on the planet. If you’re looking for tips on how to ace your interview, our team of expert consultants would be more than happy to help.

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