10 questions to ask in an interview

When your job interview comes to an end and the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” you’ll want to be prepared. 

The right questions can be beneficial for both you and the interviewer. They’ll give you a chance to learn what you can expect from the position and to make sure that it matches your goals.

Here are some questions you can consider asking during your next job interview.

Key takeaways

• The questions you ask should help you understand if a job is right for you.
• Your questions also can give you an opportunity to highlight things about yourself that you haven’t had a chance to say yet.
• Certain questions can give interviewers an inaccurate impression.

This question can help you understand the daily tasks of and expectations for a successful candidate. The interviewer’s answers could help you decide if this role fits with your own skills and experience.

Asking this question is a great way to show your commitment to the organization and passion for self-improvement. If the interviewer doesn’t provide you with a clear answer, you may want to consider what that might mean for your long-term happiness and fulfillment at the company.

You can evaluate your own characteristics and skills against the interviewer’s answers. If you feel strongly that you possess some of these characteristics, use this time to highlight them and provide examples.

This question might give you an idea of what the role will lead to and what you might be expected to achieve in your first few months. It may be helpful to follow the interviewer’s answer with ideas about how you could achieve these goals.

This question could show how the team describes the hurdles you might face. It’s also their chance to show you how you might be supported in these circumstances.

When the interviewer answers this question, think about whether you see yourself fitting in. Asking this question of multiple people during the interviewing process can help you get a better understanding of what the culture is really like.

Some interviewers may have a templated answer of what the company culture is like. Asking them their favorite part of working there can provide you with a more unique perspective.

Asking about your potential team can help you understand the company’s organizational structure and where you might fit in the chain of command.

This question can give you further insight into company culture and retention rates. The answer may even reveal why the position is open. If it’s because of an internal promotion, that’s a great sign that there’s growth potential.

Knowing how a team is managed can give you better insight into how they communicate, how decisions are made and how information is delivered across the organization.

There are also a few questions that it might be best to avoid or rephrase because they may not make you look as prepared and professional as you'd like. Some examples include:

• What does your company do?
• How quickly can I be promoted?
• When can I take time off for vacation?
• Did I get the job?

Asking questions during an interview is beneficial for you and the hiring team. Not only will it help you get a better understanding of the role and company, but it could also help the interviewer learn even more about you and your enthusiasm.

If you can impress the interviewer and you receive an offer, it’s time to discuss salary. You can be prepared for this conversation by reading up on how to negotiate your salary.