What Questions Should I Ask in my Next Tech Job Interview?

Preparing for a tech job interview isn’t just about answering questions, but also asking them. Remember you are trying to discover if the role is right for you, as much as they are assessing if you are right for the role.

Go into the interview with a curious mind, thinking about what you don’t know, but would like to when considering the position, their IT systems and tools, the company, your team, your manager, benefits etc… Normally, an interviewer will give you the chance to ask questions towards the end of an interview, so make sure you are prepared.

Why should I ask questions in an interview?

• You can gain clarification around the position, the company, and if the role suits your goals.

• It shows the interviewer you are engaged in the process, and thinking about how you will fit into the role and company.

• It will help towards decision making, especially if you are choosing between multiple offers.

The types of questions you ask should be in line with what you find important to know. I personally recommend selecting five main questions to take to the interview.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Questions to ask about the organisation in your interview

It’s important to consider what it will be like to work for the type of organisation you are interviewing for. Workplace environment and the organisation’s future direction can impact your career progression, and how you might enjoy working there. You may even gain an idea of why the interviewer likes working for their organisation. You may find yourself discovering more about their future use of technology and digitalisation plans and how the presented role fits into this.

Workplace & team culture

Every workplace environment differentiates from the next; exploring what the organisation’s culture is like will see if you will thrive in it. Make sure you research the company’s website or social media platforms, so you can get an idea of how many employees they have or what their values are. From fast-paced, relaxed, and/or sociable work environments you could ask;

• What is the team dynamic like?

• How big is the team that I will be joining?

• What is the workplace environment like?

• What sort of person do you think would work well with your team?

Flexible working

Flexible working has become a centralised part of an organisation’s structure in the past few years, following the growth of remote working. Having said that, this has impacted workplace environments where fewer employees may work the same hours or there may be limited in-person office presence. Consider asking the following questions in relation to your own working pattern and preferred work/life balance;

• Are there flexible working hours?

• Are their remote or hybrid working options?

• How often do people work in the office?

This is especially important in IT roles, as there may be requirements for out-of-hours work and weekend shifts.

Organisations' strategic vision

If you are applying for a permanent position, it’s beneficial to see what part you will play in the organisation’s long-term plan. Consider how your role might change in the future and if you want to be a part of their growth strategy by asking questions like…

• What is the organisation prioritising in their growth strategy?

• What goals does the organisation have in the next 6 months / year / 5 years?

• What impact is the organisation aiming to make in the market?

If they are investing in IT transformation, you can explore if the areas they are growing do align with your own career interests and specialism.

Questions to ask about the job in your interview

During the interview process, you will gain a good overview of the type of work responsibilities you will have. However, there may be some details missing that can make a difference to your decision making.

Progression

Career trajectory is highly important to explore, especially in a permanent position. Each job role you have should align with your long-term ambitions, so you can make the most out of the experience. If you have a particular tech skill you would like to enhance or you have an idea of how you might want to progress forward, you can find out more with question like…

• What training or upskilling will I be able to receive?

• Do you allow time to attend seminars or courses?

• Are their career progression opportunities?

Projects

Rewarding and interesting work can make a difference to your overall job satisfaction, so make sure you understand the projects you will be working on. You could ask:

• What type of projects will I be working on?

• What will the first 6 months / year look like?

• What impact will the projects be making?

By learning more about the projects you will be working on, you can see if your experience has had similar projects beforehand – you can demonstrate how you are a valuable asset to the team if so!

Benefits package

It isn’t all about the work you do - many organisations will strengthen a positive workplace environment with a fantastic benefits package that comes along with a contract! This isn’t necessarily made clear until the offer stage, so you can unpack this by asking:

• What type of benefits does the employee package include?

• Are there long-term employee benefits? Healthcare? Dental?

• Does the organisation help towards accreditations or certifications?

Questions to ask about the interviewer

Asking questions directly to the interviewer is a fantastic opportunity to get an opinion or view of the organisation, workplace or team. They are representatives of the organisation, and can show a realistic image of what an employee experiences. This can also help create a meaningful conversation whilst you get to know your potential future manager.

• What do you enjoy the most, and least, about working for the organisation?

• What are your particular area of interest or specialism in technology?

• How has their role progressed since they started?

• What is your management style?

Key things to remember

1. Ask questions to learn more about the workplace and team culture, flexible working and the company’s future strategy plan.
2. Explore the job role in more detail such as progression opportunities, project involvement and employee benefits.  
3. Use the opportunity to ask the interviewer directly about their own experience in the organisation, such as what they enjoy about work, the development of their role or even their management style.

About Gravitas Recruitment Group

Looking for a new technology position? Gravitas Recruitment Group are an award-winning recruitment company, providing job seekers with opportunities across IT, Banking and Insurance. As a values-driven agency, our consultants are passionate about high-quality service and building trusted relationships with talent across the market. Start a conversation with us by uploading your CV to our website here.