It is the question that puts many candidates on the spot and gets hearts racing – “do you have any questions for me?”. Some people turn up to their interview with a long list of questions, while others are left scraping their mind for something to ask. Many candidates do not appreciate how important this opportunity to turn the tables is, as often the questions you ask will have a major influence on whether you get the role or not.

Best known for his role on the hit BBC show ‘Dragons Den’, James Caan believes that there are three questions every candidate should ask during their interview:

1. What qualities are you looking for in the successful candidate?
   Asking this question will help you to establish exactly what skills and experience the interviewer is looking for, allowing you to tailor your answers in a way which highlights how you fulfil those requirements and why you are the perfect candidate for the role.
2. What scope is there for personal development within the business?
   This question demonstrates your ambition and that you are not the type of person to ‘coast’.
   “It is important to show any prospective employer that you are ambitious and looking to move your career forward.”
3. Is there anything you have seen in other candidates that you have not seen in me?
   Be prepared as you may not get the answer you were hoping for from this question, but if you are willing to take a risk this question could pay off. Having been on the receiving end of this question Caan says:
   “It left me with nowhere to go. As well as turning the tables on the interviewer it is also a great way of gauging how well or badly you have performed throughout the course of the selection process.”

So having established the sorts of questions you should be asking, you also need to be aware of the types of questions you should definitely avoid.

In an interview, Amy Michalenko (Career Services Manager at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation) gave her suggestions on what not to ask. She stresses that a candidate should “never ask a question they should already know the answer to”, as you should have already done your homework on the role, business and industry you are looking to join. In addition, asking questions about salary and benefits is another taboo because “this will be negotiated once they make you an offer and prior to you accepting.”

There may be many questions you want to ask, but it pays to prepare a concise list of three or four. The worst thing you can do when asked if you have any question is say ‘no’, as this makes it clear that you have done no research, or were not bothered/interested enough to do so.