Questions to ask in a Norwegian job interview — and which to skip
Near the end of the interview comes the line "do you have any questions for us?". Many people say no, usually because they are tired or afraid of seeming demanding. It is a wasted opportunity: this is the only point in the conversation where you control the subject, and the easiest place to show that you have read the ad and thought about the job as something you will actually do.
Two or three good questions are enough. They should be genuine — questions you want answered — and they should not be about benefits before the content of the job is clear.
Ten questions that work
- What does a typical week look like in this role? Gets you the substance behind the job title.
- What should the person who gets this job achieve in the first three months? Tells you what they actually measure.
- How is training organised? Especially important if you are new to the industry or to Norway.
- Who would I work most closely with day to day? Reveals the team and how much you work alone.
- How are shifts or rotas set? Relevant in retail, health, warehousing and cleaning.
- What kind of follow-up do you get from your immediate manager? Shows you think about collaboration, not just tasks.
- Why is the position open? Newly created, a leave cover or a replacement — the answer says a lot.
- What characterises people who do well here? Gives you the criteria in their own words.
- How do you work with health and safety, or quality? Strong in construction, industry, warehousing and cleaning.
- What is the next step, and when will I hear from you? Always a good closer.
Pick two or three that fit the role. Ten questions is an interrogation, not an interview.
Questions to skip — or save for later
Anything on their website. "So what do you do here?" shows you did not prepare.
Pay, holiday and time off in the first interview — unless they raise it. If they ask about your salary expectations, of course you answer; but opening with benefits before the job content is settled reads as the wrong priority. See the guide on salary expectations.
"How much remote work can I get?" as your first question. Reasonable to ask, not as an opener.
Yes/no questions. "Is it a good working environment?" has only one answer. Ask instead: "What do you do when things get busy?"
Criticism disguised as a question. "Why are your reviews so bad?" — if you genuinely wonder, ask it neutrally: "What are you working on improving internally right now?"
New to Norway: two questions that are safe and useful
Asking about language and training is not a weakness — it is practical information both sides need:
- "How much of the working day happens in Norwegian, and what is expected in writing?"
- "Is there training or a buddy system for new staff in the first weeks?"
Both signal that you plan to succeed in the job, not just to get it.
Practical: write them down
Bring the questions on paper or on your phone. Glancing at a note reads as prepared, not rude. If they answer one of your questions during the conversation, say so: "You already covered what I wanted to ask about training, so I have one left." It shows you were listening.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions is right? Two or three. One is thin, five becomes an interrogation.
Can I ask when they will decide? Yes, and you should. Then you know when following up is appropriate — and you avoid two weeks of wondering.
Is it acceptable to ask about a permanent contract or the percentage of a full-time post? Yes. That is job content, not benefits, and it is entirely legitimate to want to know what kind of contract is on the table.
Next step
Prepare your questions along with the rest of the interview: practise your answers in the interview trainer, and make sure your CV matches what you say — check it for free against the ad first.