You have to ask questions during the job interview. The interviewer is going to expect this and is going to ask you if you have any questions. And you must ask them because not to do so demonstrates a total lack of interest. And you don’t want that. You want to look keen and enthusiastic. But what questions to ask in a job interview?
This isn’t the time to start asking about salary and vacation time or about anything self-serving. Of course, you want to know those things. But you need to save those questions for when you get the offer. Until then, keep the conversation to showing an interest in the company and the role for which you’re applying. It’s a game and you have to play it.
And think before you speak. If you’re planning on looking for a new job as soon as you’re hired for this one, you don’t need to let the interviewer know that. We once heard of a candidate who asked during the interview how much notice they would need before she quit. She did not get hired, which should be obvious.
Here are 22 questions you could ask during the job interview.
Questions about the job
These show that you’re interested in the role and that you want to be prepared for what is expected of you. Also, that you’re thinking about your qualifications, how you fit, and what you’ll bring to the team.
What are the day to day responsibilities of this job?
How is success measured for this role?
If hired, what would you expect me to accomplish in the first six months and first year?
Why did the previous person in this position leave?
What are the biggest challenges I would face in this role?
Is any travel expected/how much travel is expected?
Questions about the company
You want to come across as interested in the company. Ask about the goals, challenges, and culture. These questions demonstrate that you’re considering a future there and how you will work within the organization. Asking about challenges shows that you’re already considering how you might overcome them.
What are the goals for the company in the next year?
Are there opportunities for growth and advancement?
Does the organization do any form of career pathing?
How would you describe the company culture?
Are there any corporate social responsibility initiatives you can tell me about, or causes that the organization supports?
What are the biggest challenges facing the company?
Who is this company’s biggest competition?
What are the company’s plans for growth in the next year and beyond?
Questions about the team and department
These show an interest in who you’ll be working with. Not to ask anything about the department and people in it suggests you’re not thinking about that at all, which can look bad.
What can you tell me about the people I would be working with?
What are the current goals for the department in which I would be working?
Questions about the interviewer, who is also probably your potential manager
You should show an interest in the person with whom you’re speaking and that you’re considering what a future working with them might look like. It’s also nice to get their opinion about the workplace and what it’s like, as well as their opinion on what they think they’re like as a manager (which may or may not prove accurate).
Can you describe your management style?
What do you like about working here?
What has been your own career trajectory? Did you come into this role from somewhere else or did you move up in this company?
Questions about next steps
The interviewer is usually going to ask for your questions towards the end of the interview. If that’s the case, consider throwing these ones in at that time. If not, ask these at the end. You want to know what to expect, and whether you’ve left any loopholes. Asking about next steps is pretty standard, and the interviewer would think it strange if you didn’t.
Is there anything more I can do to convince you that I am the right person for this job?
Do you know what the timeline is for making a decision?
What are the next steps?
Of course you can come up with your own questions. This is just to get you started. Good luck.