Interview questions, is this unreasonable to ask?

[Ev0]

Now I'm finding myself in the position of getting a few interviews I've remembered that I fail hard on the whole 'do you have any questions for us' thing.

Whilst thinking of some general ones that could be asked if need be, I was thinking is it unreasonable to ask the question why did the last person leave the role?

Now this assumes there was a last person and it's not a new role, but with recruiters and potential employers always now seeming to ask why are you looking/leaving your current job, would it be deemed too forward/intrusive in asking a similar question back at an interview?

Or is it just a stupid thing to ask? As said, it's the one thing I usually don't really do as 9 times out of 10 everything I need to know has already been covered.

 

[.SJ]

...

 

[mangobreeder]

"is it a new role or a existing role?"

if its and existing role, why did the previous person leave?

If its a role, why the sudden need?

 

[V4NT0M]

Do you have to ask a question?

 

[semi-pro waster]

Does the question go anywhere or are you just asking for the sake of asking something? They're unlikely to say that the last person left because the job is rubbish and they're just hoping you're enough of a diddy to take it. By all means ask it but don't necessarily expect to get a particularly useful answer out of it.

 

[alx]

Here are some example general questions I got sent to me by a recruitment agency:

Where will my manager fit into the structure?
How has the position become vacant?
What assessment procedures do you use to ascertain my performance?
How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
Who will I report to and are there persons reporting to me?
What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
How soon will you decide on the appointment?

 

[Ev0]

Do you have to ask a question?

Not at all, don't think I've asked any questions in the last few interviews I've had. Although bad a telephone one the other week the last time I had an interview was a good few years ago.

Was just a thought I had earlier that's all

Here are some example general questions I got sent to me by a recruitment agency:

Where will my manager fit into the structure?
How has the position become vacant?
What assessment procedures do you use to ascertain my performance?
How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
Who will I report to and are there persons reporting to me?
What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
How soon will you decide on the appointment?

See the majority, if not all, of those questions I'd more than likely already know the answer to, or I just wouldn't care about

Does the question go anywhere or are you just asking for the sake of asking something? They're unlikely to say that the last person left because the job is rubbish and they're just hoping you're enough of a diddy to take it. By all means ask it but don't necessarily expect to get a particularly useful answer out of it.

Kind of, I guess it might be nice to know if the person before left through promotion or the like. That could indicate that there was upward movement in the role rather than a job where you could get stuck.

Cheers chaps

 

[The Funktopus]

I asked the same question at my last interview and was lied to. My role didn't come about as a result of expansion as they said, I've since learned my predecessor went off ill for a month (I'm assuming stress) and didn't comeback. If they'd told me that at interview it would have most certainly set alarm bells ringing.

 

[Cemetery]

Normal questions I tend to ask depending on role etc:

- What is the management style you/x employs or culture of the company & how would you see me fitting into it? - Engages the interviewer to view you in the role
- What is your companies policy of training? - Suggests you are interested in learning at the company & interested in the company.
- What are the opportunities for advancement in the company? - Shows you aren't just looking for a short term role.
- Do you know when I would be informed of your decision with regard to the role?

 

[Fortyseven]

A question I ask at every interview is:

"Why do you continue to work for [Company]?"

Nine times out of ten they have asked you why you want to work for them, why not as why you should work for them.

 

[SoundsGood]

Saw this posted on here a while back:

"Is there opportunities and incentives for people who work exceptionally hard?"

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

A question I ask at every interview is:

"Why do you continue to work for [Company]?"

Nine times out of ten they have asked you why you want to work for them, why not as why you should work for them.

Yup, this is a good one to ask and even though I'm used to being asked it now, it still catches me off guard now and again.

OP - perfectly reasonable question to ask. As semi-pro said, however, don't expect a particularly useful answer.

 

[alx]

See the majority, if not all, of those questions I'd more than likely already know the answer to, or I just wouldn't care about

Sometimes you'll find that the interviewer has answered all your questions, but I've been told by various recruitment firms that not having questions to ask can be detrimental to your application.

It's always best to have extra questions to ask, even if you don't care about the answers.