A job interview is a two way conversation in which you absolutely want to leave a lasting impression. So when the potential employer asks the question:
“Do you have any questions”
It is really important that you take this opportunity. Here’s why
Preparing for the questions an interviewer is going to ask you is crucial. However, another crucial aspect of a successful interview is asking some questions yourself. Asking thoughtful questions during a job interview is just as important as answering them.
1. You Show Engagement & Enthusiasm
Sometimes… especially when you’re not sure you really hit every requirement for the role, you really want to lean into being a personality hire and that means being a great culture fit. To ensure you leave a lasting impression, show off your enthusiasm for the role. Employers are looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in the role and the company, not just someone looking for their next job (even if that’s the case… don’t let them know that).
By asking insightful questions, you demonstrate that you’ve done your homework, are engaged in the conversation, and are actively thinking about how you would fit into the company. It’s a subtle way to show that you’re not only capable but also enthusiastic about the opportunity.
For example, asking, “Can you tell me more about the company culture?” or “What does success look like in this role?” signals that you’re thinking beyond just the paycheck. You want to know what your day-to-day experience will be and how you can contribute to the organization’s goals.
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2. It Helps You Assess the Role and Company
Remember, interviews are not just for employers to assess you, they’re also your chance to evaluate whether the job and the company are the right fit for you. Asking questions helps you gauge whether the position aligns with your career goals, values, and expectations. This is your opportunity to dig deeper into the aspects of the role that weren’t covered in the job description.
Questions like: “How does the team handle challenges?” or “What are the opportunities for professional development?” can provide insight into the company’s work environment, leadership style, and potential for growth.
It’s better to uncover these details during the interview process than after you’ve accepted the offer. You don’t want to feel stuck and have to do this entire process all over again in a few months if you can help it.
3. Clarify Expectations
By asking questions, both you and your employer are giving the opportunity to explain and clarify the expectations you both have of one another.
Every job comes with expectations, and when you understand those expectations upfront there is less chance of misunderstandings down the road.
The questions you ask during the interview allow you to clarify what will be expected of you, what the company’s priorities are, and how your performance will be evaluated. Knowing this information early on ensures you can align your efforts with the company’s goals from day one.
Consider asking, “What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?” or “What do you expect me to accomplish in this role in the first 30 - 90 days ?” These questions can help you get a clearer picture of the company’s needs and whether you have the skills and mindset to meet those challenges.
4. Highlight your critical thinking
Critical thinking is a soft skill that is highly sought after in the job market. Many things can be taught, critical thinking is not one of them. Asking thoughtful, relevant questions showcases your critical thinking skills.
Employers want problem-solvers on the team, and critical thinking shows you are a curious, analytical, and proactive critical thinker. When you ask questions that go beyond the surface level, it demonstrates that you’re thinking strategically about how you can add value to the company.
For example, you might ask, “How does this role contribute to the company’s overall strategy?” or “How does this role ladder up directly to the company OKRs and KPIs?” These kinds of questions indicate that you’re not only thinking about your immediate role but also considering the broader impact on the organization and industry.
5. Leave a lasting impression with the Interviewer
Everything you do in a job interview should strategically build rapport with the interviewer and leave a lasting impression. By asking questions you help take some of the pressure off of yourself and shift the dynamic from an interrogation to more of a conversation.
Engaging the interviewer with thoughtful questions, creates a dialogue that helps them see you as a future colleague, instead of just another candidate.
Consider using open-ended questions like, “Can you tell me about your experience working here?” or “What do you enjoy most about your role?” not only to provide valuable insight but also offer a personal connection that can make you more of a memorable candidate to the interviewer.
With these 15 questions you can ask during your next interview You don't have to wait until the end of the interview to ask them; it might make sense to ask questions throughout the conversation as relevant topics arise.
Still, aim to save two to three questions for when the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for me?"
1. “Can you describe a typical day or week in this role?”
This question helps you get a clearer picture of the daily tasks and responsibilities of the position. It offers insight into the work environment, the pace of the job, and the kind of work you’ll be doing on a regular basis.
2. “What are the key challenges or priorities for someone in this role?”
Understanding the challenges upfront gives you a better sense of the role’s complexity and what the employer expects you to tackle first. It can help you assess if you’re equipped and excited to meet those challenges.
3. “How do you measure success in this role?”
This question shows that you are results-oriented and want to align with the company’s goals. It also helps clarify expectations and how your performance will be evaluated, which is crucial for understanding what’s needed to succeed.
4. “Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?”
Learning about the team dynamics, structure, and culture can give you a sense of how collaborative the environment is and whether the team’s working style aligns with yours.
5. “What are the opportunities for professional development and growth?”
Asking about development opportunities demonstrates your long-term interest in the company and your desire to grow with them. It also helps you assess if the company invests in employee growth and whether you’ll have opportunities to advance your career.
6.What do you expect me to accomplish in this role in the first 30 - 90 days?
This gives you an opportunity to not only gauge what your onboarding and first 3 months of the job would be like, it also helps you identify key measurements of success the company expects from you in the first quarter. It helps you keep and manage expectations about the role if you get the job.
7. “What is the leadership style at the company? Is there a particular method used to manage employees or teams?”
Asking about the company’s management and leadership style helps you understand how you’ll be managed and demonstrates your interest in building a good working relationship. It also can help you identify any early red flags that show signs of overbearing or helicopter management.
8. What types of projects is the company interested in launching with the expansion of this role?
This question suggests that you’re curious about the job and eager to hit the ground running once hired. This and question number 6 help you get a better idea of the type of work you will be doing and your expected workload at the start of your employment.
9. “What qualities have made previous employees in this role successful?”
This shows that you are eager to understand what it takes to excel in the position, indicating that you’re already thinking about how to position yourself for success. It will also help you identify areas that the previous employee wasn’t entirely successful in (note: this question will only work if the role has previously existed. If it is a new role this question would not work)
10. “How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?”
Asking this question demonstrates that you value a healthy work-life balance and gives insight into how the company prioritizes employee well-being and the culture.
11. How Would You Describe the Company's Culture?
This is another question that could provide you with valuable insights into what your day to day will look like. A company’s culture is likely the reason you’ll thrive or not. (also likely the reason you stick around or fire up LinkedIn immediately after you've become acclimated with all the red flags). For example, knowing things like if the company heavily promotes from within and pushes a healthy work-life balance will appeal more to you as a place you may enjoy working as opposed to "go getting always on mentalities" that make work like balance really difficult.
12. What Training or Onboarding Is Typical for This Position?
Not every position will require training or onboarding, but if you know or think it will, this is a good question to ask. This question also ladders up well to more targeted, specific questions.
For example: “what type of software does the company use” or “how often the company updates or changes its technology” which are all questions that may not be readily available on their website or researchable. This is showing you truly are digging deeper in hopes of becoming a part of the team.
13. How do you see (name of the role you’re applying for) being a part of [name of company]’s growth strategy in the next 1-3 years?
This is again thinking long term and giving you an opportunity to learn more about the company’s long term priorities for themselves and this role.You’re gaining more insight about the position and its history in the company, while also showing how you are looking forward to being with the company long term.
14. “How does [name of company] foster or promote collaboration and communication across departments?”
This shows that you are interested in how the company encourages teamwork and ensures smooth communication, key elements of a successful work environment. Cross functional or cross collaborative work is mentioned in 90% of job descriptions as of late, so asking this question shows you’re interested in team work and embrace a team mentality.
15. What Are the Next Steps in This Interview Process?
This question not only suggests you’re interested (duh of course – why else would you be here) but also helps you understand how much further you have to go in the interview process before final decisions are made.
You want to strategically use 2-4 of these questions when they best align with the role you’re applying for. Do not walk up in that interview asking all 15 of these… 👀 let’s not get crazy. A health mix / rotation of these questions in your interview repertoire will help you successfully leave a lasting impression and move forward in the job interview process towards an offer 🤞
If you find this type of content helpful or you learned anything don’t forget to share this with a friend, family member or nosey neighbor. You can also grab access to my free remote job board updated weekly with new remote opportunities. Access the job board here!
M.
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