After working within property recruitment over the last 4 years...

...I have supported hundreds of candidates through interview processes, helping them find the right job for them.

Speaking to both interviewers and interviewees over this period has given me insight into what hiring managers are looking for in the property market right now, and allows me to best support and prepare you when you are heading into your job interviews.

So, let’s get straight to the truth: interviews are two-way streets.

Whilst your interviewer is evaluating whether you're right for them, you should be just as focused on determining whether they're right for you.

The questions you ask during an interview serve multiple purposes. They demonstrate your genuine interest in the role, showcase your strategic thinking, and most importantly, they help you gather the information you need to make an informed career decision. A job that looks perfect on paper might reveal red flags when you dig deeper, while a role that seems uncertain could turn out to be your dream opportunity.

Why your questions matter more than you think

Recent industry data reveals that 49% of employers know within the first five minutes of an interview whether a candidate is a good fit for the position. Your questions – not just your answers – play a crucial role in forming this impression and making an impact

Many candidates treat the "Do you have any questions for me?" portion of the interview as an afterthought. This is a missed opportunity. Thoughtful questions can:

• Distinguish yourself from other candidates who ask generic questions or none at all

• Show that you've done your research and are thinking seriously about the role

• Reveal important information that can help you negotiate or make decisions

• Help you build rapport with the interviewer

Remember, the best candidates often have multiple options. Companies want to hire people who are selective and thoughtful about their career choices, and can give real evidence that they have researched the job role and company beyond the job advert. Andrew Deverell-Smith, CEO and Founder of the deverellsmith group states the importance of researching whilst job hunting and highlights this as one of his top job hunting tips.

In this next section, I’ve put together some examples of questions you can ask your interviewer to dig deep into all aspects of the role you are interviewing for.

Questions about the role and responsibilities

Understanding exactly what you'd be doing day-to-day is crucial, as job descriptions often provide only a high-level overview.

Essential role-focused questions:

• "Can you walk me through what a typical day or week looks like in this position?"

• "What are the most important priorities for someone in this role over the first 90 days?"

• "How do you measure success in this position? What does excellent performance look like?"

These questions help you understand not just what you'll be doing, but what's expected and how you'll be evaluated. Pay attention to whether the interviewer can give specific, concrete answers or if they seem vague about the role's scope.

Understanding team dynamics and management style

The people you work with daily can make or break your job satisfaction. These questions help you understand the interpersonal landscape you'd be entering.

Team and management questions:

• "Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with most closely?"

• "How would you describe the management style here?"

• "How does the team typically collaborate on projects?"

If you'll be reporting to the person interviewing you, you can ask more direct questions like "What's your management philosophy?" or "How do you prefer to give feedback and communicate with your team members?"

Company culture and work environment

Culture fit is subjective, but understanding the work environment helps you determine if you'll thrive there.

Culture-focused questions:

• "How would you describe the company culture in three words?"

• "How does the company support work-life balance?"

• "How does the company celebrate successes or handle setbacks?"

Look for consistency between what different interviewers tell you about culture. If you interview with multiple people and get vastly different answers, that might be telling in itself.

Growth and development opportunities

Understanding your potential career trajectory shows you're thinking long-term and ambitious about your professional development.

Career development questions:

• "What opportunities are there for professional development and learning?"

• "How do you typically support employees who want to grow within the company?"

• "Can you give me examples of how people in similar roles have advanced?"

These questions demonstrate ambition while helping you understand whether the company invests in employee growth or if people tend to plateau quickly.

Company direction and stability

Understanding the bigger picture helps you assess job security and growth potential.

Strategic questions:

• "What are the company's main priorities or goals for the next year?"

• "How has the company been affected by recent industry trends?"

• "What excites you most about the company's future direction?"

Be tactful with these questions. You want to understand stability and direction without sounding like you're questioning the company's viability.

Practical considerations

Don't forget the logistics that will affect your daily life and job satisfaction.

Practical questions:

• "What does the onboarding process look like?"

• "What tools and resources would I have access to?"

• "How far in advance are schedules typically set?"

Questions to avoid

While it's important to get your questions answered, timing and tact matter. Generally avoid in first interviews:

• Detailed questions about salary and benefits (unless they bring it up)

• Questions about vacation time or time off policies

• Overly personal questions about the interviewer

• Questions that could easily be answered by looking at the company website

• Negative questions about company problems (unless framed constructively)

• Questions that make you sound desperate or overeager

Save compensation discussions for later in the process when there's mutual interest.

How to ask questions effectively

Do your homework first. Research the company, role, and interviewer beforehand. Your questions should build on this foundation, not cover basic information readily available online.

Prepare, but stay flexible. Have 8-10 questions ready, but be willing to adapt based on what's already been covered in the conversation.

Listen actively. Don't just wait for your turn to ask questions. Build on what the interviewer has shared and ask thoughtful follow-ups.

Take notes. Bring a notepad and jot down key information. This shows you're serious and helps you remember important details later.

Ask different questions to different people. If you're interviewing with multiple people, vary your questions to get different perspectives while avoiding repetition.

Reading between the lines

Pay attention not just to what interviewers say, but how they say it. Enthusiasm, hesitation, or vague answers can all provide valuable insights. If multiple people seem unclear about the role's scope or the company's direction, that might be a red flag.

Also, notice the questions they ask you. Are they focused on skills and experience, or do they seem more concerned about cultural fit and personality? This can give you clues about what they value and what challenges they might be facing.

Your questions are your power

Remember, good companies want candidates who ask thoughtful questions. They'd rather hire someone genuinely interested and thinking critically about the opportunity than someone who just accepts whatever is offered.

The questions you ask reveal as much about you as the answers reveal about them. Use this opportunity to show your strategic thinking, demonstrate your research, and most importantly, gather the insights you need to find not just any job, but the right job for your career and life goals.

A great interview is a conversation where both parties leave excited about the possibility of working together. Your questions are the key to making that happen.

For more interview tips, view our ‘Interview dos and don’ts' guide here.

Alice Murray, Business Manager at deverellsmith, specialises in temp and contract talent solutions and excels in finding quick solutions for our partnered clients in New Homes and Build to Rent. As Business Manager for the team, she enjoys using her creative background (once a professional actress and singer) to build genuine and lasting relationships with her candidates and clients alike.

If you are looking for your next property job, get in touch today via the form below, and an expert consultant will be in touch.