The following information refer to job applications in Germany.

Applicant questions that candidates can ask at the end of an interview may initially be seen as optional extras. However, as an applicant, you not only have the right to ask questions during the interview - it is strongly recommended in order to leave a good impression. After all, the purpose of the interview is a dialogue between the applicant and the potential employer. Therefore, you should not be passive but proactive.

There are many reasons why it is worth investing some time in preparing applicant questions:

By carefully considered applicant questions, you convince the interviewers of your motivation for the advertised position and your interest in the company. Intelligent applicant questions show that you have already thought about your career planning before the interview. Additionally, through applicant questions, recruiters gain insights into the candidate's demands and the extent to which they identify with the company and the position.

By carefully considered applicant questions, you gain more confidence in advance for your performance during the interview with the recruiters.

To ensure that your applicant questions appear confident and likable, it is important to prepare them well and ask them at the right time.

Therefore, it is advisable to do some research first. The best way to do this is to find out more about a potential future employer so as not to leave a bad impression.

Therefore, consider the following rules of conduct during your preparation and in the interview:

Consider which applicant questions are better to ask at the beginning and which are better to ask towards the end. This applies especially to important questions about career opportunities or salary-related topics that concern your own benefit.

Avoid applicant questions where the interviewer can only answer in one way, such as "Do I have good advancement opportunities?", "Is my supervisor nice?", or "What is the working atmosphere like?" Also, ask questions where you can expect an honest answer.

By summarizing the discussed topics, you show your interest and prevent misunderstandings. For example, you could say, "From my perspective, the conversation has shown that you place special value on..." or "Did I understand the task correctly?"

Use the invitation for applicant questions to remind the interviewers of the most important information about yourself. For example, you could say, "So, will my future tasks include...? I would be very interested in taking on that responsibility since I have already gained experience in the field of X in my previous tasks." This way, you can establish a connection to your professional experiences. Additionally, you elegantly demonstrate that the interview has further increased your motivation for the position.

Under no circumstances ask about the impression you have made or your chances of getting the job - that reveals uncertainty.

Suitable topics for applicant questions:

It is advisable to ask applicant questions about the following topics:

1. Job description: Clarify any open questions about the precise job description and responsibilities of the position.

2. Working methods: Inquire about the preferred working methods regarding individual or teamwork to find out if they align with your work preferences.

3. Supervisors, colleagues, and employees: Ask about the team and working relationships to get an impression of collaboration and the working atmosphere.

4. Onboarding phase: Gather information about the onboarding process to ensure that you receive the necessary support for a successful start.

5. Decision-making authority: Inquire about the decision-making scope and the autonomy you will have in the position to determine how independently you can work.

6. Leadership style: Ask about the company's preferred leadership style to find out if it aligns with your expectations and work preferences.

7. Workspace: Ask for a description of the workspace or inquire if a visit is possible to get a better understanding of your future workplace.

8. International assignments: If relevant, ask about the opportunities or requirements for international assignments if you are interested in such opportunities.

At a later point in the job interview, depending on the progress, you can also ask questions about the following topics:

It is best to start by introducing yourself as a person and then move on to your professional background and practical experience

1. Career advancement: Inquire about career prospects within the company and whether there are opportunities for growth in your professional development.

2. Support, training, and scholarships: Ask about support options for your professional development, such as training programs or scholarships.

3. Compensation and benefits: Gather information about compensation and potential additional benefits such as bonuses, social benefits, or other financial advantages.

4. Work schedule arrangements: Inquire about work schedule models and flexibility options to ensure compatibility with your personal needs and commitments.

5. Company pension or other insurance benefits: Find out about the offered insurance benefits, such as company pension plans or health insurance.

6. Company facilities: Ask about existing company facilities such as a cafeteria, sports or cultural facilities to get a better understanding of your work environment and the working conditions.

Examples of good candidate questions:

The questions you ask during the job interview demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and your engagement with the company. While you are being assessed for job suitability, you should also evaluate whether the employer meets your criteria and aligns with your career plans. Ask original and intelligent questions that set you apart from other applicants and provide you with real insights into the company culture.

It is generally advisable to seek clarification through questions when there are uncertainties. Here are examples of successful candidate questions that provide insights into the desired job and your potential employer and are also well-received by the company:

1. Motivation: "Why do you work here yourself?" This question is not about the department or the tasks of your interviewer, but about their personal motivation. The answer provides insight into what the company represents from your potential employer's perspective and why committing to the employer is worthwhile. Another question could be: "What do you like most about your work and what do you like least?"

2. Job responsibilities: "What specific tasks does this position entail?" Often, job descriptions in job advertisements are general. To learn more about the position, feel free to ask about specific areas of responsibility or what a typical workday looks like. This will help you better determine whether the job aligns with your professional goals and preferences.

3. Unique selling proposition: "What sets your company apart from competitors?" With such questions, you should already provide your own assessment of the unique selling proposition. This way, it won't give the impression that you lack knowledge about competitors in the industry. The answer from your interviewer gives you insight into your potential employer's self-perception.

4. Success: "How does one become successful at your company?" This question provides insight into the qualifications and qualities that the company values in applicants. Additionally, you ideally gain valuable information about internal hierarchies and the company's goal management.

5. Training: "What training opportunities do you offer?" This question shows your interest in staying with the company long-term and your willingness to acquire new skills. It also highlights that you are aware that learning does not stop with the start of the job.

6. Numbers: "What are the key performance indicators for your company?" Even with this question, you should already be familiar with essential figures about the company, such as employee and revenue numbers. The answer to this question will show you whether your potential employer focuses on financial metrics or also on processes and relative goals such as employee satisfaction and sustainability.

7. Leadership: "What does good employee leadership mean to you?" The answer to this question provides insight into the company's care for its employees. What measures does the company take regarding personnel development? Are regular feedback conversations held? Are seminars and coaching on soft skills offered?

8. Knowledge sharing: "How is knowledge imparted here?" This question directly follows the previous one.

9. Self-reflection: "What was the company's most recent significant mistake, and how was it handled?" Admittedly, it takes courage to ask this question to a potential supervisor during a job interview since it's typically directed towards applicants. By asking this, you demonstrate courage and show that you are willing to question and critique the company's methods. The answer will give you insight into whether the company uses mistakes for self-reflection and process improvement.

10. Termination: "What justifies a termination?" The answer to this question reveals the expectations placed on employees in terms of performance and attitude. A reasonable response from your interviewer that also expresses care for employees could be, for example, "Termination is justified when someone shows no willingness to learn or engages in bullying behavior."

11. Work environment: "Can I get to know my future workplace and colleagues?" If this request is granted, it provides you with an opportunity to gain insight into the company's work atmosphere. You can observe the dress code, how colleagues interact with each other, and see where you would be working.

12. Summary: "Did I understand you correctly?" Summarize the insights you've gained and ask your interviewer if you've interpreted their answers correctly. This not only shows your interest in the company but also demonstrates your ability to listen and quickly grasp the essential points—a successful conclusion to a fruitful job interview. You can also inquire further about particularly interesting or unresolved points.

13. Keeping in touch: "May I reach out to you if I have further questions?" Towards the end of the interview, you can inquire about a contact person for any additional questions you may have. This confirms your interest in the advertised position and emphasizes it once again at the end of the conversation.

Depending on your level of entry, there are, of course, different questions that are particularly suitable. If you are applying as an intern, for example, you could inquire about the chances of being hired permanently. It would also be interesting to know how many interns have worked in the company or what project you would take on first. For a trainee position, it is advisable to ask questions about the individual stages of the trainee program and inquire about the possibility of an international assignment. If you are applying for a permanent position, it would be wise to gather information about advancement opportunities. It could also be interesting to know which departments you would closely collaborate with and whether regular feedback conversations with employees are held.

Additional question ideas:

If the mentioned questions have already been answered during the course of the interview, here are a few more ideas that you can keep in mind for any interview:

- Does your company engage in social projects? It is interesting to learn whether the company takes on social responsibility and is involved in charitable or sustainable projects.

- What, in your opinion, are the biggest challenges associated with this role? This question provides insight into the realistic expectations and difficult situations you may face.

- How would you describe the company culture? Company culture plays an important role in the work environment and collaboration within the company. This question allows you to learn more about the work atmosphere and values of the company.

- When can I expect a decision? It is helpful to know when you can expect feedback on the application process to coordinate your future plans.

- What else can I learn/study to prepare for starting the job? This question shows your interest in actively preparing for the future position and improving yourself. You can ask for recommendations for further education, courses, or skills that could help you succeed in the role.

- What are the company's goals with this position? Here, you can learn more about the expectations and long-term goals the company associates with the position. This provides insight into the strategic importance of the role and how it aligns with the company's overall objectives.

- Who would be my direct supervisor? It is important to know who your direct supervisor will be as this person will have a significant influence on your work routine and development. You can also inquire about their working style and leadership approach to better assess how the collaboration might unfold.

Keep these questions in mind and adapt them as necessary to your specific situation to gain a deeper understanding of the company and the position being offered.

Not all applicant questions are well-received

It is important to ask questions during the job interview to show interest and engagement. However, these questions should be well-considered. There are also questions you should never ask. Avoid questions where you should already know the answer or can find it through the internet or other sources. These include questions about the number of employees or the year the company was founded. By asking such questions, you give the impression that you did not adequately prepare for the interview and cast yourself in a negative light.

Additionally, you should not rush with questions like "Can you tell me if I got the job?" or "Would I receive a company car?". Even if the interview has gone well, inappropriate questions can still negatively impact the impression you have made so far and ultimately leave a bad impression.

It is important to present yourself as professional and well-prepared both in your questions and your behavior. Ask questions that highlight your suitability for the position and your interest in the company, but avoid questions that could make you appear unprepared or unsuitable.

After obtaining important information during the job interview, it is advisable to summarize the insights gained and ask your interviewer if you correctly interpreted their answers. This demonstrates both your interest in the company and your ability to listen and quickly grasp essential information. Such a summary and clarification make for a successful conclusion to a job interview and leave a positive impression on the interviewers. It shows that you actively listened and internalized the information.