I'm gearing up for my final interview for a DevOps internship tomorrow and I'm looking for some impactful closing questions to ask. I want to steer clear of the usual 'What makes an intern successful?' since that's overdone and doesn't really differentiate me from other candidates. I also want to avoid anything too daring. Can anyone suggest some smart, engaging questions that show I'm genuinely interested in the role without crossing any lines?
5 Answers
One great question is, 'If budget and capacity weren't an issue, what would be the first thing you'd improve in the app or tool?' This often leads to a deep discussion about DevOps and technology, and I've seen candidates who ask this get offers afterwards!
A question I recommend is, 'What would my first 90 days look like if I was hired?' It really helps shift the focus from being just a candidate to thinking about the role as an employee.
You can also refine it to, 'If I started tomorrow and had my onboarding complete, what kinds of tickets would I be working on?' It makes you sound proactive!
I've had success with this: 'How is performance evaluated in this role?' It shows your interest in understanding expectations and it's often praised by employers.
Lastly, asking 'What could I do in the first 30 days to make a real impact?' can demonstrate your eagerness to contribute right away. People are usually impressed with that level of forward-thinking!
Another good one is 'How do incidents get handled day-to-day?' or 'What typically breaks first when things go wrong?' It shows you want to understand the practical side of operations rather than just theory.
That’s a solid question! I also like asking, 'If I could restart everything based on what I've learned here, what changes would I make and how would they impact the organization?' It's a good way to get insights into their practices.