Best Questions to Ask the Interviewer: Good Questions to Ask
A job interview is a two-way street. While the interviewer spends most of the time asking you questions, the moment they say, "Do you have any questions to ask?" is your final opportunity to make a powerful impression. Asking thoughtful, smart questions to ask demonstrates your genuine interest, critical thinking, and preparation. A prepared job candidate shows they're not just looking for any job, but are actively evaluating if the role and company culture are the right fit. Asking the right interview questions to ask can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision if you receive a job offer.
The Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer
Asking questions at the end of a job interview is a crucial part of the process. The questions you'd like to ask should go beyond what's easily found on the company's website or in the job description. By asking thoughtful, specific questions, you show the hiring manager you've done your homework and are truly invested in this potential new career path.
Questions About the Role and Team
What does a typical day look like for someone in this position? This question to ask gives you a realistic view of the work environment and daily responsibilities beyond the bullet points in the job description. It’s one of the best questions to ask to understand the day-to-day.
What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face? This shows you're proactive and ready to tackle tough questions. It gives the interviewer a chance to be candid about the difficulties of the job.
How does this role contribute to the team’s overall goals? Asking this shows that you're interested in the bigger picture and how your work fits into the team's success. This is a very good question to ask.
Questions to Ask About Company Culture and Management Style
The work environment and management style are crucial to your long-term happiness and success. Asking questions about these topics shows that you care about more than just the paycheck. It’s important to ask these kinds of questions to determine if you’re a good cultural fit.
Can you describe the management style for this team? This is one of the good questions to ask to understand if you will thrive under the kind of leadership on offer. You might learn that the hiring manager is hands-on or prefers to give employees a lot of autonomy.
How would you describe the company culture? While the interviewer will likely give a polished answer, follow up with a question like, "What's an example of a recent event or decision that highlights that culture?" to get a more concrete answer.
What are the company's values, and how are they reflected in the day-to-day operations? This allows you to learn a lot about the company's core beliefs and see if they align with your own.
Questions About Professional Growth and Opportunity
A job candidate who is eager to grow and learn is an attractive prospect for any employer. Asking about development opportunities shows that you are thinking long-term about your career goals.
What professional development opportunities are available for employees? This question to ask shows that you're interested in learning.
Where have previous employees in this role gone on to in their careers within the company? This provides a clear example of a potential career path and shows that the company values internal growth. It’s one of the smart questions to ask to gauge your potential for advancement.
What does success look like in this role, both in the first 90 days and in the long term? This interview question helps you understand the expectations and how your performance will be measured. It also shows you are interested in the job and its goals.
When to Ask Your Interviewer Questions
While the most common time to ask questions at the end of a job interview, you don't have to wait. If a relevant point comes up throughout the interview process, it's perfectly acceptable to ask a question then. This can make the conversation more fluid and demonstrate that you are engaged and interested and listening.
The entire interview is a two-way street. The interviewer is evaluating you, and you should be evaluating the company. By preparing a list of questions to ask beforehand, you ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to ask about the things that are most important to you.
Questions to Avoid Asking
While having a list of interview questions is a great idea, it’s equally important to know what to avoid asking. Never ask about salary, vacation time, or other benefits until the hiring manager brings them up or you have received a job offer. Asking these questions too early can make you seem solely focused on compensation rather than the role itself.
In the end, asking the right questions can give you the answers to these questions you need to make an informed decision and can leave a lasting, positive impression on the interviewer. A job candidate who is prepared with a thoughtful list of questions to ask is more likely to be seen as a serious and desirable candidate.
