Congratulations, you’ve made it to the final interview! In this article, we’ll help you prepare for some of the most common final interview questions and answers. That way, you can be confident and ready when the time comes. At this stage, you’ve already proven that you’re a worthy candidate, and just need that last push across the finish line. Remember, your final interview should be a conversation, not like an interrogation at your local police station. Aside from their questions for you, we’ll also give you the top final interview questions to ask an employer. There’s nothing like flipping the script!
What is a final interview?
Most selection processes consist of multiple interviews. The first interview is relatively informal, and a chance for recruiters to put a face to a CV. The questions asked are often basic and are aimed at getting to know you. In the second interview, you’ll get more in-depth questions about your experience and skills. Recruiters want to know whether your background matches with what the job requires. The final interview is your last opportunity to make an impression. Note that the final interview can, in some cases, be the second interview.
The final interview questions are often related to company culture or your emotional intelligence for the role. It’s common for the final interview to be carried out by someone different; often a member of senior management or an HR manager. This is why it’s important to be well-prepared, and to give this step of the process your very best shot.
The top 5 final interview questions to prepare for
Only 5, you’re wondering? Well, with emotions and nerves running high during an interview, it can be a real challenge to remember all the answers you’ve prepared. For now, we’ll give you 5 of the most common questions employers could ask in a final interview. For each question, we’ll explain why they’re important, and give you useful tips to help craft your own. Preparing for a final interview has never been this easy!
1. What will keep you motivated in this role?
Employers don’t just want you to go through the motions at work; they want to make sure you’re thriving and are finding ways to challenge yourself. If you can show that you’re in it for more than just the money, employers will love having you on board. This is one of the most common questions for a final interview, so really think about this one.
2. How do you deal with pressure and stress?
In almost every company, workloads can fluctuate depending on the season, time of day, or just general demand. Employers want to know how you battle your workload peaks. Basically, they want to get an idea of your limits, so they don’t constantly push you to the edge; they want to keep their employees happily motivated and not burnt out. This will be one of your hiring manager’s favourite questions to ask in a final interview, so buckle up!
3. How do you like to be managed?
In almost every company, workloads can fluctuate depending on the season, time of day, or just general demand. Employers want to know how you battle your workload peaks. Basically, they want to get an idea of your limits, so they don’t constantly push you to the edge; they want to keep their employees happily motivated and not burnt out. This will be one of your hiring manager’s favourite questions to ask in a final interview, so buckle up!
4. What gives you an edge over other candidates?
In almost every company, workloads can fluctuate depending on the season, time of day, or just general demand. Employers want to know how you battle your workload peaks. Basically, they want to get an idea of your limits, so they don’t constantly push you to the edge; they want to keep their employees happily motivated and not burnt out. This will be one of your hiring manager’s favourite questions to ask in a final interview, so buckle up!
5. What did you like most and least about your last job?
Knowing what you like most or least about a job gives employers a better idea of how well you fit with what they’re offering. If the gap between what the company offers and what you like and dislike about a job is minimal, chances are you’ll be an excellent fit. Also, don’t be too negative about your current or last employer; this will give you a bad rep. This is another great final interview question to prepare for.
Flip the script — final interview questions to ask the interviewer
This is one of the best last interview tips out there: flip the script. If you’re noticing that the interviewer is dominating the conversation with questions, take away some of the pressure by firing back some of your own. In some cases, hiring managers will ask you if you have any questions for them. When that happens, it’s important to be prepared and to know what questions to ask in a final interview.
1. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be joining?
You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re going to feel alienated in a team because of differences in personality, age, or other factors. You want to know what to expect when you join a team, and who you’re going to be dealing with. Your hiring manager is going to know better than anyone what your team is like, and can tell you valuable information about them. This is a great final interview question to ask your employer, so make sure you note it down!
2. What’s the onboarding going to look like?
This is a great question to ask an employer in a final interview. If you don’t know what to expect on your first day or week on the job, you could set yourself up for a rough awakening. Some employers expect quite a bit from new hires, while others are very relaxed and flexible. You’ll want to know how you’re going to be trained, by whom, and how long that process will take.
3. What are the opportunities for growth?
For many, this final interview question that can make or break a job offer. Unless you’re going to be happy being stuck in the same job forever, it’s probably wise to consider where your career is heading. At some point, you’ll have enough experience and know-how to get a more enjoyable or better-paying job within the company. If the career ladder at your new company is only one or two rungs high, you might want to think deeply about why you want to get this job.
4. What’s the company culture like?
This is a very common question for a final interview. Some companies have an extremely relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to take regular breaks, eat at your desk, and work from home. Other companies are very strict and traditional, without much flexibility or freedom. Knowing about the company culture will determine how comfortable you’ll feel in your new job from the get-go.
5. How do I compare to other candidates for this position?
This question may sound familiar. It’s basically a flipped-script version of question number 4 in the ‘final interview questions to prepare for’ above: what gives you the edge over other candidates? By flipping the script, you’ll get a better idea of what you offer that other candidates don’t. Without knowing anything about the other candidates, it’s difficult to understand what your hiring manager is looking for. Once they’ve answered the question, you can even jump in to strengthen your case.
5. What did you like most and least about your last job?
Knowing what you like most or least about a job gives employers a better idea of how well you fit with what they’re offering. If the gap between what the company offers and what you like and dislike about a job is minimal, chances are you’ll be an excellent fit. Also, don’t be too negative about your current or last employer; this will give you a bad rep. This is another great final interview question to prepare for.
Interviews questions: final thoughts
If you’re currently preparing for a final interview, we hope these questions and answers have given you some much-needed ammunition. It’s important to remember that communication in a final interview should go both ways. If you feel there’s an imbalance between you and your future employer, it’s usually best to sit it out and look for other opportunities. However, asking the right questions may sway your decision in the other direction. If you’re immediately over the moon about your new employer, asking these final interview questions is still important, as you may be looking through rose-coloured glasses. In a nutshell, these are some of the top 5 common final interview questions to prepare for:
- What will keep you motivated in this role?
- How do you deal with pressure and stress?
- How do you like to be managed?
- What gives you an edge over other candidates?
- What did you like most and least about your last job?
And these are the top 5 common final interview questions to ask an employer:
- Can you tell me about the team I’ll be joining?
- What’s the onboarding going to look like?
- What are the opportunities for growth?
- What’s the company culture like?
- How do I compare to other candidates for this position?
If your final interview fall through, don’t sweat it; there are plenty of other options for you. Get your job search back on the road by browsing through all our vacancies, and use our free CV maker to give your resume a fresh look. Good luck!
FAQs about final interview questions
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How much time can I take to ask and answer final interview questions?
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How should I practice asking and answering the final interview questions?
Often, employers give you some time to ask final interview questions towards the end of the interview. You shouldn’t take more than a third to half the interview time to ask these questions to avoid being pretentious. Per question, you should spend no more than 2-3 minutes giving an answer. About 1 minute is the sweet spot.
Asking a friend, colleague, or family member to ask you final interview questions from a list that you’ve created is a great way to get prepared. Apply the STAR technique as often as possible, so that you have a structure to rely on. If you get stuck, take a few moments to gather your thoughts before answering.