Your interview is a two-way conversation

An interview isn't just a chance for an employer to decide whether you're right for the job. It's your chance to decide whether the job is right for you.

The questions you ask at the end can be just as telling as the answers you give. Smart questions show you've done your homework, that you're genuinely interested, and that you're already picturing yourself in the role. They also give you the information you need to make the right decision if an offer comes your way.

Below we cover the types of interview you're likely to meet, how to prepare, and 25 smart questions worth having in your back pocket.

Know which type of interview you're walking into

Competency-based interviews are the most common. Every candidate is asked the same questions, each designed to test a specific skill, such as "Tell us about a time you worked well as part of a team." The thinking is simple: how you've performed in the past is the best guide to how you'll perform in future.

The best way to answer is with the STAR method:

• Situation: set the scene briefly.
• Task: explain what you needed to achieve.
• Action: describe what you did (say "I", not "we").
• Result: share the outcome, with numbers if you can.

Strengths-based interviews focus less on what you can do and more on what you enjoy doing and naturally do well. Expect questions like "What gives you energy at work?" or "What do you find yourself doing that others put off?" There are no trick answers here. Be honest, because the aim is to match you to work you'll thrive in.

Informal interviews are common with smaller businesses, where you might meet the owner or MD directly. These often feel more like a conversation, so be ready to talk naturally about your experience and to ask questions as you go, rather than saving them all for the end.

Video and phone interviews are now standard, particularly for first stages. Treat them as seriously as a face-to-face meeting. Test your camera, microphone and connection beforehand, choose a quiet spot with a tidy background, and look at the camera rather than the screen when you're speaking.

How to prepare

Good preparation is what turns a nervous interview into a confident one. Here's what we'd always recommend.

Research the company. Get to know its products or services, its customers, its recent news and where it's heading. You'll almost certainly be asked what you know about the business, and specific, well-researched answers make you stand out.

Study the job description. Go through each requirement and think of a real example from your experience that shows you can do it. These examples will form the backbone of your answers.

Know your own CV inside out. Be ready to talk through every role, every move and any gaps, clearly and positively.

Look up your interviewers. A quick look at their LinkedIn profiles will tell you their background and role, and may give you a natural point of connection.

Practise out loud. Answers that sound great in your head often come out differently when spoken. Rehearse with a friend, or even just to the mirror.

Plan your journey. First impressions count, and arriving flustered or late is a difficult start to recover from. Aim to arrive ten minutes early.

Think about what to wear. Is it a suit, or smart casual? The "Our team" page on a company's website, or its LinkedIn and social media, is often a good clue to how people dress. If in doubt, err on the smarter side.

Prepare your questions. Finally, choose the questions you'd like to ask. Read on for our top 25.

How to use these questions

You don't need to ask all 25. Pick two or three that genuinely matter to you, and have a few spares ready in case some are answered during the interview.

• Avoid anything you could have found on their website. Asking what the company does suggests you haven't prepared.
• Leave salary and benefits for later. These are best discussed once there's mutual interest, and if you're working with a recruiter, we'll handle that conversation for you.
• Listen to the answers. A thoughtful follow-up question shows far more engagement than working through a list.
• Write them down. It's perfectly acceptable to bring a notebook with your questions in it. It shows you've prepared.

25 questions to ask at the end of your interview

About the role

1. What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
2. How has this position come about? Is it a new role or a replacement?
3. What's the biggest challenge someone in this role will face?
4. What skills or qualities make someone really successful here?
5. How will success be measured in the first three to six months?
6. What would you want me to have achieved in my first 90 days?
7. What does the working pattern look like, including any hybrid or flexible working?
8. How do you see this role evolving over time?
9. What opportunities are there for training, development and progression?

About the team and your interviewer

1. Who would I be working with most closely, both inside and outside the team?
2. How would you describe the culture within the team?
3. How do you give feedback and support people's development?
4. How long has the team been together, and how has it grown?
5. What has your own career path within the company looked like?
6. What do you enjoy most about working here?

About the company

1. How would you describe the culture of the organisation as a whole?
2. What are the company's main goals for the next few years?
3. What challenges do you see the business facing in that time?
4. What are the department's priorities this year?
5. How visible and approachable are the senior leaders?

About next steps

• What are the next stages of the process?
• When, and how, can I expect to hear from you?
• Will you be able to share feedback on my interview?
• When would you ideally like the successful candidate to start?
• Is there anything about my experience you'd like me to expand on before we finish?

A tip from our experience

If you only ask one question, make it about success. "What would you want me to have achieved in my first 90 days?" moves the conversation from whether you could do the job to what you will do in it. It helps the interviewer picture you in the role, and it gives you a clear sense of what's expected from day one.

And don't underestimate the power of question 25. Inviting the interviewer to raise any doubts gives you the chance to address them there and then, rather than leaving them to be discussed after you've gone.

Go in prepared, come out informed

The right preparation and a few well-chosen questions can make all the difference, both to how you come across and to how confident you feel about your decision afterwards. Remember, you're interviewing them too.

Looking for your next role?

At Bluetree, we take the time to understand what you're looking for, and we'll prepare you properly for every interview we arrange, with insight into the company, the people you'll meet and what they're really looking for.