If you ever found yourself trying to fill the gaps of silence in the interviews you’re having every other day, you don’t really have to think that long about it.
It might make you nervous to think about what you have to say beyond just the questions your hiring manager is asking, but the solution to that is actually quite simple. Be curious.
Yep, you read that right, be curious. Curiosity goes both ways, at the end of the day your hiring manager is not the only person curious about your potential for this position.
One of the best ways curiosity can be shown is through questions, you can ask questions about different things and help create insightful conversations that could ultimately change things for you, hopefully for the better!
You should keep in mind that interviews are so much more than just answering questions because asking questions in return is also important.
Why? Actually, the logic here is quite obvious;
Because it shows that you are interested in the job more than other candidates. It gives positive signals to the hiring manager.
If asking questions sounds like something you want to nail with utter seamlessness, then keep reading because we’ll share the best questions you can ask your interviewer and also add extra tips for you to shine during the interview.
Let’s get started!
The Importance of Asking Questions During an Interview
So, at this point, you’ve already had interviews before, right? well, I bet you were not asking questions at all. Let’s change that. Many companies including Amazon and Google favor candidates who ask questions at the end of an interview and there is a valid reason for that.
First things first, don’t be intimidated to ask questions, this is actually an opportunity to get the employer excited to hire you!
You should not skip this part because when you ask questions about the company, the work environment, future goals, and culture, you are showing the interviewer, that you are already seeing yourself in this position long-term.
Asking questions shows your interest to the company, that’s how you set yourself apart from other candidates. Not only that, but you also give your interviewer an impression that is most likely going to stick with them even long after your interview is done!
Doing this is not hard, it simply starts with you asking thought-provoking questions that show your knowledge about the company and industry.
Questions for the interviewer also demonstrate your tenacity and eagerness to learn more about the position – something almost any hiring manager would appreciate!
Now that you know why asking questions is important, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of those questions!
So, to simplify things for you, we will divide this article into sections you can study separately, that way you have more variety of questions.
We hope that with these questions, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you’re a great fit for this job in no time!
Top Questions You Can Ask Your Interviewer
So, as you know the key to having a successful interview is through asking good questions that show your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role. After all, your interviewer wants to know how you’ll fit into their team and company culture.
However, it isn’t just about showing off. Your questions should provide additional insight that allows you to determine if the job is right for you.
These questions can range from specific company initiatives, challenges they are facing or future plans they have in place. Asking good follow-up questions also shows that you are paying attention and interested in learning more about this potential opportunity.
So, buckle up! The next sections will cover different contexts in which you can ask those questions.
Ask Questions to Get to Know More About The Job
When you are going for a job interview, no matter how big the company is, you should try to get an idea about the day-to-day responsibilities.
Not that the interviewer would not answer that prior, but to them, the focus is on the questions you can answer, so they might not be as elaborate with the details they give away.
This is when asking these questions comes in handy, you get to shift the focus and hear more about what this job might expect of you.
So, without further ado, let us get into the list of questions you can ask about the job.
- What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
- What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
- Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?
- What qualifications and prior experience are you seeking in an ideal job applicant?
- To be successful in this role, what qualities and abilities are necessary?
- What skills are needed on the team that a new hire could bring?
- What are the most difficult challenges that this job entails?
- What sort of budget would I be working with?
- Am I hired for a new position or am I replacing someone who is departing?
- How does this position contribute to the company overall?
- Are you anticipating any shifts in the primary duties of this position in the next 6-12 months?
If you ask these questions to the interviewer, this will help you get a better understanding of the job and what it entails.
By the way, we probably don’t have to tell you this, but just pick one or two, don’t ask all of them!
Once you feel like you have known enough about the job itself and the biggest challenges it might bring along, you can begin inquiring about the company!
Questions to Ask The Interviewer About The Company
Now that you’re sure you are the perfect fit for the job, let’s ask questions about the company itself!
So, it is important to know more about the company you are applying for, as it will give you an idea of how well you fit in with their culture.
Ask these questions to the interviewer, to learn about the company, its values, and its goals.
- Could you provide additional information about the company’s founding? Perhaps details I should keep in mind as a new employee?
- What are your expectations for the growth of this company in the near future?
- What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
- Which objectives are this company currently concentrating on, and how does this team contribute to attaining them?
- What gets you most excited about the company’s future?
- What are the company’s most important values? (Note: Make sure this isn’t easily Google-able!)
- How does the company ensure it’s upholding its values?
At this point, if you got a feeling that your interviewer liked what you had to say, and you wanted to get a little more details on the position, you can start asking about the team!
Ask Questions to Learn More About The Team
Another smart move is asking questions about the team you will be working with right? It will be a small size company or a giant company like Amazon or Google, no matter what type of company you’re applying for, there will be a team for you to work with.
So asking questions about the team, their goals, or the team’s communication, gives positive signs to the interviewer about you.
So, these questions will help you understand the dynamics of the team and how well you might fit in with them, and if you are someone who gets nervous about working with other people, this can be quite insightful for you!
- What is the team’s primary goal?
- How does this team work together to achieve its goals?
- What kind of collaboration do members of this team typically engage in?
- What is the team’s communication style?
- What kind of feedback do team members typically receive?
- What is the team’s approach to problem-solving?
- How does the team handle conflicts or disagreements?
- What kind of support do team members provide each other?
- What kind of professional development opportunities are available to team members?
- What kind of culture does the team have?
Of course, you can change the questions depending on the role or the company but these are the common ones that interviewers liked to be asked. Next, we’ll talk about culture-related questions about the company.
About The Culture
As you know culture means a lot for companies especially the ones which focus to dominate the market. So as a candidate, it’s another good sign for you when you show them you care the culture as they are.
That’s why asking questions about the culture of the organization to an interviewer is important.
Asking questions about the culture gives you a sense of whether or not the job is right for you.
If you ask questions about the day-to-day atmosphere, collaborative style, and techniques used in problem-solving and understanding how teams work together, you’ll shine in that interview. After all, it’s the key to forming effective relationships with your colleagues and leaders.
You can also ask questions related to the company’s values, history, and mission statement and how they apply to strategic growth plans.
As same as the others, their answers will determine if your goals match and offer insight into how rewards are earned or recognition given within each department.
So, here are some questions for you to ask during the interview:
- What is the work atmosphere like here—do employees generally work more collaboratively or more independently?
- How does the team form and maintain strong bonds?
- Can you tell me about the last company event you did together?
- What’s your favorite office tradition?
- What do you and the team usually do for lunch?
- Do any of the personnel at this workplace socialize outside office hours?
- Do you collaborate with other companies or departments on joint activities?
- Why is working here unique compared to your previous experiences?
- How has the company changed since you joined?
- How has the organization overcome challenges with remote work?
- What measures does the company take to ensure equal standards and opportunities for remote and hybrid employees compared to those in the office?
We hope you enjoy reading the content thus far, we have a few more question examples for you so in the next section we’ll talk about how they will evaluate you as a candidate.
Inquire About How Your Evaluation Will Happen
After you’ve asked a few questions and calmed your nerves, you should inquire about how your evaluation will happen.
Ask the interviewer what criteria they use to judge candidates, and also ask if the hiring manager has any input on the final decision.
It’s essential to understand who is making the ultimate decision so that you can better tailor your answers. Knowing who will be evaluating you can also ease some of the stress of an interview.
- Within the first three to six months on a job, what goals do you most want to achieve?
- How is performance measured in this role during the initial 12-month period?
- What is the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed?
- What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
Ok, last but not least, it’s time to ask questions about the next step.
Ask About The Next Step
When the interview is winding down, it’s important to ask questions about the next step in the process. As you already know thus far, it’s quite important.
Asking questions at this step will help you understand what to expect and how long it might take before you hear back from the company.
Also, this will show the interviewer (again) that you are being proactive and interested in securing a position with the company.
So, you can ask them about when a decision is expected, and any other details about what happens after the interview that can give you a better understanding of the process.
Be sure to have your follow-up questions ready and directed toward the hiring manager.
Ok, you need examples right? Here they are:
- What is the timeline for making a decision?
- What is the next step in the hiring process?
- Are there any additional steps I need to take?
- What kind of feedback can I expect after the interview?
- When should I expect to hear back from you about the position?
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, asking questions during an interview is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the position and to get a better understanding of what it would be like to work at the company.
Asking thoughtful questions can also help you determine if this is the right job for you and if it aligns with your career goals. It’s important to ask questions that are relevant to the job and that will help you make an informed decision.
So, make sure to prepare a few questions before your interview and make sure they are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
You should also, make sure to ask questions that will help you understand the company culture, the team dynamics, and the expectations for the role.
Feel free to customize them depending on your job and your company!
Ok, we covered most of the top questions you can ask your interviewer today, we hope you enjoy reading it. As you know at InterviewJoy, we provide the best interview services for those searching for professional interview guidance.
