A job interview isn’t just about an employer asking you questions; it’s also about the quality of the questions you ask the interviewer. And it’s not just for show, either. “Many people forget that job interviews are a two-way street — and that, when done right, turns into an engaging conversation between the candidate and the interviewer,” says recruiting expert Lisa Kirkpatrick.
Asking good questions benefits you in these ways:
- It shows you’ve done your homework on the company and have a sincere interest in the position.
- It shows you understand what the job requires and what’s important to know about it.
- It gives you valuable information about the company culture and work environment.
- It shows the employer that you’re comfortable with communication, and can relate to others on the team.
- Above all else, asking the right questions will help you learn enough about the employer to make the right decision on whether the job is a good fit for you.
Make sure you’re stocked up with all the right questions to ask (and know which ones to avoid!), based on our comprehensive list below. Of course you’re not going to use all 65 of these questions during an interview, but if you keep this list handy and check off questions as they’re addressed during the interview, you’ll have plenty to ask interviewers when your turn comes.
15 questions about the position
Learning everything you can about what the potential job entails, as well as any challenges you might face, will prepare you for the job’s responsibilities and make you more aware of the challenges that lie ahead. It also shows employers that you take the position seriously.
- Is this a newly created position, or did somebody previously have it?
- How has this position changed over time?
- How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position?
- What are some of the major challenges of this job?
- What type of training and support would I receive in this role?
- What does a typical day in this job look like?
- How is performance measured in this position?
- What are the most immediate projects that need to be taken care of?
- Can you give me examples of projects I would be working on?
- What are the major attributes you think someone in this position should have?
- What kind of budget would I be working with?
- Do you see the major responsibilities for this job changing over the next six months or year?
- What is the typical career progression for somebody in this role?
- How do you hope a person in this position would progress over the next 2-3 years?
- What would my first week at work look like?
14 questions about the company
What separates the company from others in the same field? What can it offer that others might not? What are the company goals, and what are the ways you can contribute (and prove yourself to be a positive contributor)? These questions will get you the answers to all these questions and more, and give you the full lowdown on your potential employer.
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What type of person thrives in your company?
- What do you like most about working at this company?
- Who do you see as your biggest competitor and why?
- What do you think are the major challenges this company is facing right now?
- What’s the one thing you’d like to see the company improve on?
- What would you say the company’s most important values are?
- What’s the office environment like?
- What resources do you have for employee support?
- Where do you think this company will be in the next few years?
- Are there new products/services or plans for growth you can tell me about?
- What are the primary goals the company is currently focused on?
- How does this team contribute to the company’s goals?
- What gets you most excited about the company’s future?
6 questions about professional development and performance
For situations where you’re expected to grow in the job, use these questions to find out what kind of career development and performance review processes your potential employer uses. Usually just a question or two about professional development should be enough — after all, you don’t want to look like you’re already interested in “moving on” from the position before you even have it.
- Can you talk about the on-boarding processes for new employees?
- Do you have a mentor system in place?
- How are employees recognized for good performance?
- What training programs are available to your employees?
- What kind of opportunities are available for advancement or professional development?
- Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to?
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6 questions to ask about the interviewer’s experience at the company
There’s no better person to learn about what it’s like to work at a company than the person who’s used to talking about the company with others: the interviewer. Asking these questions not only gives you more in-depth, first-hand knowledge of life with an organization, but it also displays your communication abilities and interpersonal skills.
- How long have you been with the company?
- Has your role changed since you first started with the company?
- What was your experience prior to joining the company?
- What attracted you about this company?
- What’s your favorite part about working here?
- What’s the most difficult or challenging part about working here?
9 questions about the team
For jobs that involve working with others, be sure to ask questions that will help you learn about how the team functions, what’s expected of each member, and how collaboration is carried out.
- Can you tell me more about the team, such as different jobs within the group?
- Who will I work with most closely?
- Who will I report to directly?
- What are the team’s biggest challenges?
- What types of skills is the team missing that you’re hoping to fill with a new hire?
- Do you expect to hire more people for the team in the near future?
- Which other departments work with this one?
- How does this team carry out collaboration internally and externally?
- What are common career paths in this department?
8 questions about company culture
A job isn’t just about the work you do — it’s also about the work environment, how everyone relates to each other, and how well you can potentially fit in. Asking these questions will help inform you about the work culture at a company:
- What’s the company and team culture like?
- How would you describe the work environment here? (e.g., is the work collaborative or more independent?)
- How does the company try to fulfill its core values? (Make sure you read up about the company’s values before asking this question)
- Are group events and meetings common?
- How close-knit is the team? Do people hang out outside the office?
- Do you hold events with other companies or departments?
- What’s different about the environment working here compared to other places you’ve worked?
- How has the company changed since you joined?
4 questions about next steps
Make sure that you’re all caught up with what the employer needs and that everyone is on the same page moving forward with these questions:
- Is there anything about my background you had a question about?
- What are the next steps after this interview?
- Is there any other information I can provide you with that would be helpful?
- Can I answer any final questions for you?
3 major questions to avoid
- Basic questions about the company: Do your homework before the interview and read up on the company, including its products or services, its goals and achievements. Asking questions that you should already know the answers to tells employers you didn’t take the time to prepare before the interview.
- Questions that emphasize the future too much: Looking forward to career growth is great, but don’t make it seem like you’re only interested in taking a position so that you can advance beyond it.
- Questions about salary, benefits, dress code, and other company policies: These areas will be covered further down the line if you get the job.
For more tips on questions not to ask, see our article Questions Not to Ask in a Job Interview.
More Interview Help
From interview preparation to post-interview follow-up, we have you covered. Visit our interview advice section for more guides on everything from interview etiquette to dealing with tough interviewers, avoiding video interview mistakes and how to write a thank-you note to your interviewer.
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Ho Lin
Content Strategy Manager
Ho Lin is a California-based Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and writer with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. His background includes experience aiding military veterans in their transition to civilian careers. He holds a M.A. in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
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