29 Killer Questions To Ask At The End of An Interview
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A good job interview is a two-way street. In it, you should not only answer all questions that the hiring manager asks but also prepare your own. Asking smart questions can impress the employer and set you apart from other less motivated candidates.
Moreover, asking your questions at the end of the interview can help you learn more about the organization. You'll learn more people working there, and understand if the opportunity is the perfect fit for you.
| Topics | Details |
|---|---|
| Why ask your questions at the end of the job interview? | |
| 1. Show your real interest in the role | details... |
| 2. Set yourself apart from the competition | details... |
| 3. Build rapport | details... |
| 4. Make an informed decision | details... |
| Smart interview questions to ask the hiring manager | |
| 1. How many questions to ask at the end of an interview? | details... |
| Questions About the Job and Responsibilities | |
| 1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job? | details... |
| 2. Can you elaborate on the most challenging aspect of this role? | details... |
| 3. What does the ideal candidate for this role look like? | details... |
| 4. How would you describe the technical and soft skills necessary for this position? | details... |
| 5. What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 to 60 days? | details... |
| 6. What is the biggest issue that you expect the person taking on this role to solve? | details... |
| 7. Is this a new position? If not, why did the previous person leave? | details... |
| 8. How do you evaluate success in this role? | details... |
| 9. Is there anything that I didn't cover in our conversation today that you'd like to know? | details... |
| Questions About Company Culture and Team | |
| 1. How would you describe the company's culture? | details... |
| 2. What do you personally like most about working for this organization? | details... |
| 3. What challenges is the business facing and how does the company address them? | details... |
| 4. On your opinion, what encourages employees to stay at this company? | details... |
| 5. How do you respond to staff conflicts? | details... |
| Questions About Management and Team Interaction | |
| 1. What is the management style in your company? | details... |
| 2. Who else is on the team and how would you describe how you work together? | details... |
| 3. What kind of supervision do you provide? | details... |
| 4. Will I have an opportunity to meet my potential manager or colleagues during the interview process? | details... |
| 5. What kind of team would I be working on? Is it collaborative, or more individually focused? | details... |
| Questions About Growth and Development | |
| 1. What learning and development opportunities are there to further develop in this position? | details... |
| 2. Where do people who have held this position typically end up next? | details... |
| 3. What type of employee tends to succeed in this role and what qualities do you consider the most important? | details... |
| 4. Is there a 'typical' career path for someone in this role? | details... |
| 5. How have people previously succeeded in this role? | details... |
| Questions About Company Insights and Future Prospects | |
| 1. What are the near/mid/long term goals of the company? | details... |
| 2. Are there any new initiatives or changes on the horizon for the organization? | details... |
| 3. Who do you consider your top competitor, and why? | details... |
| 4. How is your organization addressing challenges in this field? | details... |
| 5. Is there anything else I can provide to help you make a decision? | details... |
In this post, we've prepared a list of recruiter-approved questions to ask at the end of your job interview plus professional tips to make your interview a success.
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Why ask your questions at the end of the job interview?
During the hiring process, you should always ask questions at the end of an interview, and here's why:
Show your real interest in the role
Hiring managers see it positively when a candidate asks their questions. It shows them that the candidate went beyond a simple Google search when preparing for an interview. Asking questions shows your motivation, willingness to work hard, and develop professionally within the company.
Set yourself apart from the competition
An interview question you ask can tell a lot to the person interviewing you. See, today it's quite easy to Google typical interview questions and prepare your answers at home. But when you ask a potential employer a set of smart questions, it can make a lasting impression and help you beat the competition.
Build rapport
Asking your questions is seen as a less formal part of the interview. During it, you can ask your questions and clarify something, so the interview flows more like a natural conversation. As a result, you can build rapport and connect with a hiring manager on a personal level.
Make an informed decision
One of the key reasons to ask thoughtful questions after the interview is to evaluate if the company is the right fit. By asking about the culture, people working in a company, and the company's goals, you can see if the company is the right fit.
Smart interview questions to ask the hiring manager
How many questions to ask at the end of an interview?
Typically, you'll have 5-10 minutes at the end of the interview to ask your questions. Thus, it is ideal to ask 2-3 questions that are most important to you and demonstrate your interest in the position. Try not to ask yes or no questions: you want the hiring manager to give you a detailed answer so you can learn more about working in the company.
Questions About the Job and Responsibilities
1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
Some recruiters don't recommend asking this question. They assume that, as a professional, you should already know what a typical day entails. However, in different companies, the same role might assume varying responsibilities. Be sure to ask this question if you want to know what you'll focus on with this company if hired.
2. Can you elaborate on the most challenging aspect of this role?
Asking about challenges shows you are a proactive candidate who is ready to face difficulties. Plus, you will know what to expect from the role and understand if your skillset and experience are enough to handle these challenges.
3. What does the ideal candidate for this role look like?
Asking about how the employer sees a perfect candidate will give you a better idea of their expectations. Although it sounds a bit vague, the question will let the recruiter elaborate on the qualities of a good candidate so you can evaluate whether your skillset matches what they look for in an open position.
4. How would you describe the technical and soft skills necessary for this position?
"But these skills are already listed in the job description" you may say. However, if you ask this question, an interviewer will name 3-4 most crucial skills for the new job. Plus, this great question will give you a clearer picture of what skills are the most important for your success in the role.
5. What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 to 60 days?
In most companies, you'll work with your manager to develop a 30/60/90 plan outlining what results you should deliver within the first few months of employment. Anyway, this question will position you as someone who is set up for success and is more driven than other candidates.
6. What is the biggest issue that you expect the person taking on this role to solve?
This is one of the best questions you can ask the interviewer. It helps you clarify their expectations from a potential employee and shows what you should do to develop professionally with the company and make a difference. Moreover, if you do your homework, you can suggest a strategy for handling this issue - this will surely impress the interviewer!
7. Is this a new position? If not, why did the previous person leave?
This question can be tricky and uncomfortable to ask the interviewer. However, asking about past employees can give you invaluable insights into how the organization works. Knowing that the previous employee was fired or promoted will also provide context and show what to expect from the company.
8. How do you evaluate success in this role?
Ask the hiring manager to give you an example of specific metrics and other ways they measure success. If they hesitate to give you a clear answer, you can end up in a job with no specific duties where you will struggle to achieve the professional development you want.
9. Is there anything that I didn't cover in our conversation today that you'd like to know?
This simple question will serve as a reminder to the interviewer in case they forget to ask you something. It will also subtly push them to ask a personal question about that tricky resignation from the Big Tech company and give you a chance to explain, which can save the entire interview.
Questions About Company Culture and Team
This set of smart questions to ask refers to your ability to work in the team and the organization's values and culture. By getting these questions answered, you'll know if you'll be comfortable working in the company.
1. How would you describe the company's culture?
Asking about what it is like to work in the company on a daily basis is a very important question, as the culture and interactions within the team affect job satisfaction even more than your paycheck. Beware of vague answers and ask specifically what they do to achieve employee satisfaction (i.e. team building events, perks, gym and yoga classes, flexible schedule, etc.)
2. What do you personally like most about working for this organization?
This is a good question as people like to talk about themselves. It can help you connect with the recruiter on a personal level and discuss their experience. However, sometimes they might be reluctant to give you a detailed and honest answer.
3. What challenges is the business facing and how does the company address them?
As mentioned earlier, asking about challenges and being eager to solve them is the best strategy during the job interview. This question will help you see the competitive landscape and show how your skills might be in good use.
4. On your opinion, what encourages employees to stay at this company?
This question will help you reveal the company's employee retention strategies and how they keep employees engaged. You can compare their strategies to what job satisfaction means to you, thus evaluating whether the company is a good fit.
5. How do you respond to staff conflicts?
Conflicts happen quite often, and how the company handles them on a typical day depends on their management style, values, and communication guidelines. Asking about conflict resolution strategies will help you evaluate whether you'll feel comfortable working there.
Questions About Management and Team Interaction
Leadership style in the company and collaboration methods are crucial for your professional development and well-being. Here are some questions to ask:
1. What is the management style in your company?
Asking about the leadership style in the team you're hoping to join kills two birds with one stone. Firstly, if they answer questions about the style of management and how processes work, it shows that everything works smoothly in the company. Secondly, you can understand how their management style aligns with your preferred style of work.
2. Who else is on the team and how would you describe how you work together?
During the interview, you are expected to show that you can work effectively with others. By asking this question, you can understand the team dynamics and the personalities you'll be working with. It reveals the team's communication styles, collaboration levels, and overall work environment. After that, you can comment on your experience in a similar working environment.
3. What kind of supervision do you provide?
High-quality supervision will help you reflect on the events from the practice and develop better service to your clients. This feature is essential for social workers, so don't hesitate to ask about it after the interview.
4. Will I have an opportunity to meet my potential manager or colleagues during the interview process?
Not all interviews assume meeting the prospective manager and the team. However, such a question shows that you are excited about joining the company.
5. What kind of team would I be working on? Is it collaborative, or more individually focused?
Most professional environments require the combination of individual work and teamwork. However, there are roles that assume heavy interaction with others or, on the contrary, working solo. Asking this question will help you understand if the job is a good match for your preferred style.
Not sure if teamwork or individual work is better for you? Read our guide on the pros and cons of teamwork vs working independently.
Questions About Growth and Development
Use your job interview to show that you are ambitious and eager to grow with the company. To demonstrate these traits, ask the following questions:
1. What learning and development opportunities are there to further develop in this position?
This question shows your orientation on career growth and development. By asking it, you'll reveal the company's commitment to employee training and development, as well as resources and perks they can offer (such as compensation for training courses or a degree, on-the-job training, mentoring programs, or else).
2. Where do people who have held this position typically end up next?
Ask this question to understand what career progression looks like for someone in your target role. Some companies have clear career trajectories for those looking for horizontal or vertical development. Others don't offer a clear track or let you take charge of your career. By clarifying this early on and asking for more detail, you'll know if the company has the resources for the career growth you're looking for.
3. What type of employee tends to succeed in this role and what qualities do you consider the most important?
This question helps you understand what the company expects from someone in your target position. Pay close attention to the skills and attributes they name, and see if you can align them with your experience and background.
4. Is there a 'typical' career path for someone in this role?
This question is similar to the previous one. However, now you are asking how the company expects you to develop and what skills you should learn in the long run to bring more value to the organization.
5. How have people previously succeeded in this role?
In this one, you are asking for examples of success. Ask the interviewer to tell the story of the high achiever in your position and pay attention to what their responsibilities entailed, what results they delivered, and how long it took them to get a promotion.
Questions About Company Insights and Future Prospects
It is essential to show interest in the company and enthusiasm for joining the team during the job interview. Here are the best questions you can use:
1. What are the near/mid/long term goals of the company?
This question reveals the company's vision and strategic goals. It helps you understand their priorities and their potential for growth in the market. Based on the answer, you will see if your goals, skills, and values align with their long-term goals and whether you want to stay with them for years.
2. Are there any new initiatives or changes on the horizon for the organization?
Competitive companies are willing to innovate and keep pace with the times. They are adaptable which helps them stay afloat even in turbulent times. If the company does not innovate or invest in growth, it might lose its positions in the market soon. Keep the answers in mind to identify if this is a good potential employer for you.
3. Who do you consider your top competitor, and why?
Of course, you should evaluate the company's key competitors when doing your research before the interview. However, asking the recruiter directly will provide you with plenty of insights and help suggest solutions to any issues the company is facing.
4. How is your organization addressing challenges in this field?
This is a great question that shows the company's culture and their approach to work. Is the company open to innovations, do they launch new products or expand their product line, or develop aggressive marketing strategies? Understanding it will help you understand if this company is a good fit.
5. Is there anything else I can provide to help you make a decision?
It often happens that the interviewer likes you but has some concerns. Asking this question is helpful to address these concerns until everything is steer clear. You encourage them to ask you any questions and show you're ready to provide any additional proof of your experience and qualifications, which can be helpful in making the hiring decision.
What questions not to ask during the interview process?
Good interview questions can get the interviewer interested in hiring you. However, there are also questions you should avoid asking at all costs, as they can immediately spoil the impression:
- Basic questions. As a candidate, you are expected to research the company and the position before the interview. If you ask questions like "What does the company do" or "What does the job entail?", it will show the interviewer that you haven't done your homework, which is definitely not the impression you want to make.
- Personal questions. Asking questions that do not relate to the target job is considered unprofessional. Don't ask the recruiter personal questions, for example, about their relationship with other team members, salary, etc. However, you can ask specific questions about their tenure and experience with the company.
- Questions that will make them feel uncomfortable. Questions about negative aspects of the company (for example, turnover, recent layoffs, or challenging situation on the market) will put the recruiter in a vulnerable position. Try to focus on the positive things when asking questions during the interview.
Top tips for effective interview preparation
- Do your homework. It's hard to overestimate the importance of research. Candidates that show up and cannot answer basic questions about the company's products or services, mission, and target job, lose their chance for the job instantly.
- Plan in advance. If the interview is in person, arrive early and learn the way to get to the office in advance. If it's online, double-check your connection, devices, and sound so that everything work smoothly.
- Use the STAR method. When answering interview questions, build your responses based on the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Thus, you'll make them more specific and insightful for the recruiter.
- Think about your outfit. Dress professionally and comfortably. Choose an outfit that reflects the company culture and gives you confidence. Even if your interview is online, be sure to dress appropriately.
- Follow up. Send a short thank-you note outlining your interest in the position. Only 1 out of 4 candidates do it, so you will surely stand out.
Do job interviews give you anxiety? Learn how to beat stress before the interview.
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