“Do you have any questions for me?” After hearing this at the end of an interview, many job seekers draw a blank and simply respond, “No, I don’t have any questions.” This is a missed opportunity, however, and one of the most common mistakes a candidate can make.
By asking the interviewer questions, you can learn more about the company, further discuss your qualifications, and prepare for the next steps in the interview process. Successful job candidates ask interviewers insightful questions that make a lasting impression.
Here are eight questions to ask at your next interview.
Top 8 Questions to Ask an Interviewer
1. Is This Position New or a Replacement?
This question is useful for understanding the structure of the team you’d be joining. Interviewing for a new role suggests growth within the company and that this position would help redistribute the team’s existing workload. A new position may also indicate the growth of the company’s operation, creating a need for new tasks to be done.
If the role is a replacement, it can be a sticky conversation to navigate because the person interviewing you may be less inclined to share details. If possible, learn more about why the prior employee left the role. Limited growth potential and mismatched personalities with the direct supervisor may be red flags.
2. How Would You Describe the Ideal Candidate for This Role?
Asking this question can benefit you in a few ways. The interviewer’s response can enable you to determine whether your skills and qualifications align with the company’s expectations. If not, perhaps this role isn’t the best fit. If the interviewer’s description of the ideal candidate for the role sounds a lot like you, you can explain how your experience and skills meet their expectations.
3. Can You Tell Me More About the Team I'd Be Working On?
It’s important to learn as much as possible about potential peers and colleagues during the interview process. If hired, you’ll be spending upwards of 40 hours every week with this team. If possible, assess the team members’ working styles and personalities to see if you’d clash or connect with them. The candid opinions you may receive in response to this question can be helpful in assessing your gut reaction to the environment.
4. How Would You Describe the Culture of the Organization and Department?
I’ve worked in organizations with a wide range of company cultures, and finding the right fit is an important part of the job search process. For example, HBS Online prioritizes work-life balance and has a "Fun Committee" made up of employees who create opportunities for fun in the office. Details like these are helpful for getting a sense of the company’s environment.
You may also pick up on an office's general tone just by observing as you walk into the interview. Do people smile at you in passing? Is it so quiet you could hear a pin drop? Soak in these small cues to help assess if this is a place where you could see yourself being comfortable and happy.
5. What’s Your Favorite Thing About Working for This Company?
Learning about the organization from the interviewer’s point of view can help you to gauge whether you can see yourself working at the company and are a cultural fit. This question provides the interviewer a chance to speak anecdotally about their experiences and shows that you're highly interested in the company and eager to learn more.
6. What Are the Biggest Challenges or Hurdles With This Role?
Gaining insight into the expectations of the person who takes on the role, knowing how quickly you'd be expected to “get up to speed," and what type of training is included in the onboarding process are all good to know before walking in on day one of a new job.
Every person who interviews you may have a different take on the most pressing parts of the role. Their perspectives and views can help you get a well-rounded picture of the keys to success.
7. Do You Have Any Hesitations About My Qualifications?
While asking this question can often feel intimidating, it presents an opportunity to speak to any concerns the interviewer may have about your ability to perform in the role.
For example, an interviewer might respond with a concern regarding a gap in employment on your resume, giving you the chance to explain the reason for the gap and how you used your time to grow professionally and prepare for a new role.
8. Would You Please Run Through the Time Frame for Any Next Steps?
I try to touch on the recruitment timeline whenever I meet with candidates, but time gets away occasionally and we don’t have a chance to discuss the remaining steps in the recruitment process.
Every organization is different, so having a heads up on things like the number of interview rounds, feedback method, next steps, and primary contact person for follow-up questions can help ease the stress and anxiety that accompany job hunting.
Landing the Job of Your Dreams
As a job seeker, preparing questions to ask during your interview is one of many small steps you can take to increase the likelihood you’ll land the job. Be sure to educate yourself on answers to common interview questions, interview mistakes to avoid, and how to properly follow up after an interview. In addition, consider ways you can strengthen your resume and improve your skills so you can differentiate yourself in a competitive job market.
Are you interested in advancing your career? Explore our catalog of online courses, and learn how you can gain the confidence and skills to succeed in business.
This post was updated on April 16, 2021. It was originally published on February 9, 2017.
