The Ultimate Guide to Questions You Should Ask During Your Job Interview

Walking into a job interview can feel like being in the hot seat, but remember – you’re not the only one who should be doing the talking. While preparing answers to common interview questions is crucial, knowing the right questions to ask in an interview can set you apart from other candidates.

Unfortunately, experience and schooling may not be enough in today’s competitive job market. You need to show people that you are a teammate looking to properly integrate into the company around you.

Let’s explore some good questions to ask in an interview that will show your genuine interest and preparedness, while giving you a better idea of what to expect with this potential company.

A candidate asking insightful questions about company culture and long-term vision during a job interview.

Understanding Company Culture and Vision

Working for any company is a blend of competency and overall compatibility with your coworkers. The first part can be demonstrated with your experience, but the second part can only be explored through investigative questions.

The following questions show your interviewer that you are concerned with the company culture and vision; but, more importantly, give you a good idea of whether you want to work with these employers.

What values drive this company’s decisions?
Could you share examples of both positive and challenging aspects of the workplace culture?
How do you measure success here?
I’ve researched your recent [initiative/project], could you elaborate on that?
What’s your vision for the company’s future?
Can you tell me about upcoming products or expansion plans?
How does this team contribute to the company’s current objectives?

Role-Specific Questions You Should Ask During Your Job Interview

Hiring managers love potential employee questions dig deep into daily responsibilities and role expectations – it shows them that you are interested in their proposal and are properly prepared for anything.

Use these targeted questions to uncover what success looks like in this position and show hiring managers your genuine interest in excelling.

What does day-to-day work in this position look like?
Which skills are must-haves for your ideal candidate?
What makes someone excel in this role?
What gaps in the team’s skill set are you hoping to fill?
What challenges might I face in this position?
Which projects would need immediate attention?
Could you share examples of typical projects?

Professional Growth Opportunities

Hiring managers want an employee that lasts, and they know all long-term staff members want to advance their careers; therefore, showing your interest in job growth within the company looks great. These growth-focused interview questions demonstrate your ambition while helping you assess whether the company invests in employee development.

What professional development resources are available?
Are there clear paths for advancement?
Would I have opportunities to represent the company at industry events?
Where did my potential predecessor move on to?
What career paths have others in this role typically followed?

When considering questions to ask during an interview, don’t forget to inquire about performance expectations:

These performance metrics and evaluation process questions are a wonderful way to show you’re results-oriented while helping you understand the realistic expectations from your potential employer.

What are your 30-60-90 day expectations?
How will success be measured in the first year?
How often do formal performance reviews happen?
What KPIs would I be measured against?
How does the team collaborate?
Where could the team improve?

Personal Insights

Building a rapport with your interviewer through personal questions are a great way to get a better understanding of yourself and the kinds of people that will be your teammates. These conversational questions show you the human side of your potential workplace while creating meaningful connections.

What brought you to this company?
How has your role evolved since joining?
What’s your background?
What keeps you here?
What makes this workplace special for you?

What’s the typical employee tenure?
Will mentorship be part of the role?
Based on our discussion, do you have any concerns about my fit?
What are the next steps?
When should I expect to hear back?
What’s your timeline for making a decision?
Who should I contact with follow-up questions?

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6 Types of Questions You Should Ask During Your Job Interview