If you’ve been out of work for a while and get offered a new job, your instant reaction may be to bite the hand off the person offering you the job, and accept it straight away. However, by accepting a job that doesn’t suit you, you could end up miserable and back to square one. This is why it is imperative to ask some questions before accepting a job. These are some of the most important questions to consider asking.
- What is the culture of the organisation?
We all have certain environments that we will thrive in, and others that will leave us heading to the nearest exit. For instance, you may prefer to work to strict guidelines/processes or alternatively, to work in an environment where your ideas and opinions will be taken on board. It is vital to understand the culture of the organisation before you accept the job.
- What is your management style?
Another important question to ask is around management style. If you are used to working independently and your new manager is someone that will want to speak to you every day, it probably won’t work out. Ask about management style and tell the employer what you are looking for. There is nothing wrong with turning a job down for this reason, it is better to be selective than to end up being miserable!
- Can I visit the office before I accept?
If your interview has been conducted online, you may want to visit the office before accepting, so you get an understanding and feel for where you will be working.
- Is there any flexibility in the role?
Since Covid, many employers have offered greater flexibility in the workplace, with 60% having established flexible working arrangements. If flexibility is important to you, you should ask about this before you accept the job.
- Is there training in place?
No matter how experienced you are, there should be some training in place before you get started. Make sure you understand what this looks like, so you know you won’t just be thrown in the deep end and left to sink or swim.
- What are the expectations of this role?
Discuss what is expected of you before you accept the job offer so you know if it is realistic or not. For instance, if you are being offered a recruitment agency role and the expectation is that you have two hires in the first week, you are going to be put under excessive pressure. There should be no expectations until you are settled into the role and have had adequate training.
- Do you pay expenses?
If your role will involve a lot of travelling, it is worth asking if travel expenses will be covered. The last thing you want is for your entire salary to be eaten up with work related travelling costs.
- What are the opportunities to progress?
If you have aspirations to progress your career in the future, it is worth checking that there are places to go in the organisation. For instance, if you are joining a small business, there may not be immediate possibilities to progress, however, this may be a potential for the future. Find out what the plans are for future growth, if this is important to you.
- Who are your key clients?
The clients the organisation chooses to work with will give you a good insight into their values and this can help you make a decision on whether you would like to accept an offer.
- Are there any perks as part of the job offer?
You may want to find out what perks you get if you accept the job offer. For instance, good holidays, bonus package, commission or flexible working.
The first step in achieving success in an interview is to ensure your CV hits the right spot. We provide CV services in Glasgow, as well as throughout the rest of the globe. You can order directly here or email
