Interview Tips

Most people go into interviews ready to talk about their own skills and experience. That’s important, but the interview is also your chance to work out if the business is right for you. The tricky part is asking the questions that feel a bit uncomfortable. They are not always easy to bring up in the moment, but your future self will thank you for being brave enough to ask.

Culture matters

Every company says they have a great culture, but what does that mean in reality?

The way people treat each other day to day will have a bigger impact on you than any perk or benefit. Try asking:

What do people here do when things go wrong? 

This will tell you if mistakes are treated as learning opportunities or if blame gets thrown around.

How do you celebrate wins as a team?

This shows you how recognition is shared and whether everyone gets credit for their part.

When was the last time someone challenged an idea and how was it handled? 

The answer gives you insight into whether different opinions are welcomed or quietly shut down.

What do you enjoy most about working here and what would you change if you could? 

A simple but revealing way to get an honest view from the person across the table.

Growth and development

Progression is about more than job titles. It is about how a business supports you to learn and grow over time. Asking about this up front might feel bold, but it saves you finding out too late that development isn’t a priority. Questions worth asking include:

What does success look like in the first three to six months? 

Clear expectations now will help you judge whether the role is realistic.

How do you support ongoing training and development? 

This covers everything from formal courses to mentoring and coaching.

What opportunities are there to move across teams or try new areas of the business? 

Shows whether the company invests in long-term careers rather than short-term output.

How often do you sit down with people to talk about performance and progression? 

Regular feedback is a good sign that managers take development seriously.

The practical stuff

Day-to-day life at work matters just as much as the big picture. These questions can feel picky in the moment, but they tell you what your working week will really look like.

How does flexible or hybrid working work in practice?

Policies on paper can look very different once you are in the job.

What tools and processes do you use to keep projects on track?

A well-run team will have clear systems that stop work from getting stuck.

How do you make sure workloads are manageable when things get busy?

This helps you spot if long hours are the norm or if the business has ways to protect people from burnout.

How do different teams work together when priorities clash?

Tells you a lot about communication and whether silos are a problem.

Why this matters

It can feel uncomfortable asking these kinds of questions. You might worry about looking awkward or putting someone on the spot. But the truth is, the right employer will respect you for wanting to understand how things really work. The wrong one will avoid the question, and that tells you everything you need to know.

Asking now is far easier than finding out six months into a role that the culture is toxic, growth is non-existent, or flexibility was just a buzzword on the job ad.

Your future self will thank you for being honest in the room. The more open the conversation, the more chance you have of choosing a business that fits who you are and where you want to go.