Questions to ask your next interviewer
Just when you think the interview is over, you’re inevitably asked, "Do you have any questions?"
Many people find it incredibly stressful when the tables are turned, and it's now your chance to ask the questions. But asking questions at the end of an interview is arguably one of the most important parts of the process.
While you may feel like the interview is about the company gauging if you're the right candidate, it's equally about you finding out if the position is a good fit for you. And, if the company is a place that you want to work.
Asking the right questions at the end of the interview also helps you seem engaged and intelligent and can leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.
Questions to ask in an interview, to find out more about the role:
When thinking about what questions to ask in an interview, make sure your questions can't be answered by the job description or the company's website. You want to show that you did your research and ask deeper questions that aren't easily found online.
Can you describe what a typical day or week looks like for this position?
Sometimes the job description doesn't always match the role perfectly. This is a good question to ask in an interview so you can better understand what your day-to-day will look like in the job, and to make sure it fits your initial expectation.
What are the biggest challenges for this role?
Job descriptions tend to focus on the positive, but every job has reasonable challenges. Asking about the hardest part of the job can give you important insight into what you’ll deal with in the position (and whether they play to your own strengths). You may find out that the job’s workload is unrealistic or it's a very high-stress position, which could be troublesome.
What does success look like in this position?
At first, this question seems simple, but it can be quite telling about the position itself. Asking your interviewer how success is measured and what is expected helps you to see if expectations are realistic and gives you a peek into the company dynamics.
Questions to ask in an interview to find out if the company is a good fit for you:
The position itself may sound great, but what is it like to work for the company? Asking your interviewer about the company culture can help you figure out if this is a company that you would like to work for. Glassdoor lets you read company reviews left by employees. and is a good starting point to read about the positives and negatives of working for a company. Many company websites have sections about their company culture and what benefits they offer, but this is your chance to go more in-depth.
Does the position allow for flexibility?
One major advantage to hourly work is that it gives you freedom to pick and choose the hours you work. Be sure to ask if the job is flexible enough to let you work around your schedule. Stress that you’re excited to be part of the team, but that you do have other commitments and that you want to make sure you have flexibility for them.
Can you tell me what the team I'll be working with is like?
It's important to know who you'll be working with. Is the team large or small? Who will you be reporting to? Knowing the structure of the team can help you figure out what help you will have and more about what your day-to-day will be like.
How would you describe the job’s manager and management style?
Pay attention to this answer. There is a balance between working with a very controlling manager versus one who doesn’t provide enough training and direction on what’s expected from you. If your interviewer seems uncomfortable, or tries to dodge the question, this may be a red flag.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of working for this company?
Your interviewer should enjoy working for the company and have positive things to say. If they start ranting or quickly listing things they dislike about the company, it could be a sign that the company is very difficult to work for.
End your interview on a positive note with final questions:
What about my application or experience makes you believe I would be successful in this role?
Is there anything about my background that concerns you about my fit for the role?
When finishing an interview, a good question to ask is one that leaves the interviewer thinking about your positive qualities. This also gives you an opportunity to clarify anything that your interviewer is uneasy about, and to make sure their last impression of you leaves them feeling confident about you in this role.
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