In terms of what is the best question you can ask to impress a future employer in a job interview, Lisa says there are several impressive questions a candidate can ask a prospective employer during a job interview.

“The choice depends on what a candidate is looking to achieve by asking this question. For example: ‘What are the top three things you want me to accomplish in this role in the coming 12 months’ and ‘What will a typical day or week look like?’ These questions give the candidate a chance to bring up their strengths related to the role. The answers to these questions also give the candidate a good overview of the actual day-to-day duties expected.”

Lisa recommends asking the interviewer about their personal journey in the company, to see what it’s like to work there: “Interviewers like it when candidates take an interest in them, it builds rapport and shows a genuine interest in the position.”

Candidates should also know what key points on their CV are relevant for the role and prepare answers for general interview questions, like, ‘where do you see yourself in five years’ time?’ question,” she advises.

As to what turns a recruiter off a candidate, Lisa says preparation and staying on topic are crucial: “An interviewee should research the company, the role, and the interviewer. If a candidate is being interviewed virtually, extra preparation should be put in to ensure their digital set-up is operating properly ahead of time.

As to the important question of when should a candidate ask about salary in a job interview, Lisa says if you’re working through a talent solutions agency like Cpl, salary is something discussed from the outset to make sure everyone’s on the same page. 

“If you are interviewing directly, wait for the interviewer to broach the subject or until the second interview. If an interviewer asks you about your salary expectations, avoid specifics and say something like ‘I will consider any fair offer’ so you can leave room for negotiations, if they press, give a range instead of a specific number. You don’t want to price yourself out of your ideal role or undercut your potential earnings when the person on the other side of the table might be willing to offer a substantially larger figure.”

“Finally, although it may sound obvious, stay in the moment. Don’t let your mind wander during the interview,” Lisa advises. “Listen attentively and answer the question asked. Try to stay on point giving relevant examples where possible.”