Questions to Ask in an Interview: A Strategic Guide

Congratulations on making it to the end of the job interview! You’ve answered all the questions the hiring managers asked (thankfully, you followed our tips and prepared for the interview with our Answer Guide to Top 10 Common Interview Questions!), and finally, the interviewer smiles and asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”

This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your interest and gather more information about your potential workplace, and a crucial section of the interview session. Being armed with a list of best questions to ask in an interview will set you apart from other candidates, and land you that job offer. It can also help you make an informed decision about the next step in your career.

Why Asking Questions is Your Interview Advantage

It is generally expected that a candidate should be prepared to ask the interviewer questions. This is the case even if the interviewer has provided a thorough overview of the role and organization. When interviewers ask “Is there anything you would like to ask us” they are giving you a crucial opportunity to delve deeper and solidify your position as a strong candidate.

Showcase Your Interest and Suitability

You will want to further reiterate your interest and demonstrate your intelligence. When you ask insightful, well-thought-out questions about the employer during the interview, you show several key qualities and can even reframe how hiring managers see you:

• Engagement: You indicate that you are actively listening to the interviewers and are actively processing the conversation. It also shows that you are thinking critically about the job opportunity.

• Curiosity: You highlight your initiative and desire to understand the nuances of the role and the organization beyond the surface level.

• Strategic Thinking: Your questions can reveal your understanding of industry trends, the company's challenges, or how your potential role fits into the bigger picture. This truly impresses hiring managers.

  
  

It's a Two-Way Street: Your Chance to Evaluate

While the hiring company is assessing your fit for the role, you're also assessing the position’s fit for your career aspirations. This “Q&A session” allows you to conduct your own interview.

Knowing what to ask the employer the during the interview will help you uncover information. This includes understanding the role's reality beyond the job description, gauging the actual team dynamics, and getting a feel for the company culture. By asking the right questions, you ensure that the opportunity is not just a good job, but the right fit for you and aligned with your work values. This due diligence is vital for your long-term career satisfaction.

We’ve gathered a list of the best questions you can ask the hiring managers. Remember that you are not restricted to just one question and can ask multiple questions from various categories.

Beyond the Offer: The Interview is a Powerful Learning and Networking Session

Every interview is a golden opportunity for learning about the industry and even getting advice from experienced professionals. Regardless of whether you ultimately decide the job is suitable, these sessions are invaluable for your career growth.

Learn from Industry Seniors and Gain Valuable Insights

Think of each interview as a unique chance to expand your network and get direct insights from leaders and experts in your field. These individuals are often at the forefront of industry trends, challenges, and innovations. Engaging with them allows you to:

• Understand Industry Nuances: Get a real-world perspective that reports or online research can't provide. Listen to how they describe market shifts, emerging technologies, or specific challenges within their sector.

• Pick Up Practical Advice: Interviewers sometimes offer unsolicited wisdom about career paths, essential skills, or navigating professional growth. Be attentive; these tips can be incredibly valuable.

• Observe Leadership Styles: See firsthand how senior figures communicate, think, and lead. This observation can inform your own professional development and help you identify the types of leaders you'd thrive working under.

Questions About the Role & Responsibilities

Understanding the day-to-day and the long-term potential of the position is important to your long-term success. These are great interview questions to ask to help you dive deep into role expectations.

Elaboration on Daily Tasks and Challenges

• "Could you describe a typical day or week for someone in this role?"

• "What are the immediate priorities for someone stepping into this position?"

• "What are some of the biggest challenges someone in this role might face in the first three to six months?"

• "How is success typically measured for this role within the first year?"

Understanding Growth and Development

• "What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role or the company as a whole?"

• "How does the company support employees in achieving their career goals?"

Questions About the Team and Company Culture

A good career fit isn't just about skills; it's about people and environment. Company culture questions are excellent questions to ask an interviewer as they will help you to understand if you'll thrive. Listen to how the interviewers answer these questions to gauge if the team’s values align with yours, learn more about their communication styles.

Gauging Team Dynamics and Collaboration

• "How would you describe the team I'd be working with, and how do they typically collaborate?"

• "What's the typical communication style within the team or department?"

• "How does the team handle challenges or setbacks?"

Assessing the Work Environment

• "How would you describe the overall company culture here?"

• "What do you personally enjoy most about working here?"

• "How does the company foster a positive and inclusive work environment?"

Strategic & Forward-Thinking Questions

These are some of the best questions to ask during an interview because they demonstrate your strategic mindset and long-term vision.

Demonstrating Your Strategic Mindset

• "What are the company's biggest goals or challenges in the next 12 to 24 months, and how does this role contribute to them?"

• "Where do you see this department or the company in the next three to five years?"

• "What trends or changes in the industry do you anticipate will most significantly impact this role or the company moving forward?"

Questions for Admired Interviewers

This is often an overlooked, yet immensely powerful, benefit. If you find yourself speaking with an interviewer whose career path, expertise, or insights you admire, it's a tremendous opportunity to seek advice about your own career.

Of course, you should read the room. These questions are best reserved for the end of the interview and only if you genuinely admire the interviewer’s career experience. Asking about these should come across natural and you should not force it if the conversation does not lead there.

Developing Essential Skills

These questions show your commitment to ongoing learning and adapting to industry changes and are more unique interview questions to ask an employer.

• "Based on your experience in this industry, what skills do you believe will be most critical for growth and success in this field over the next five to ten years?"

• "Looking back at your own career, what one skill do you wish you had developed earlier?"

• "What do you believe is the most significant challenge facing professionals in [this industry/field] today, and how do you see it impacting career paths?"

Planning for Career Progression

These questions help you understand potential paths and the mindset required for advancement.

• "What advice would you give to someone looking to build a successful and fulfilling career similar to yours?"

• "When you look at successful people in this company/industry, what common traits or approaches do they share?"

Logistical & "Next Steps" Questions

These are often the questions to ask at the end of the interview, ensuring you understand the hiring journey.

Clarifying the Hiring Journey

• "What are the next steps in the interview process?"

• "When can I expect to hear back regarding the next stage, or about a decision?"

• "Is there anything else you need from me at this time?"

Important Considerations When Asking Your Questions

Simply having good questions isn't enough; how you ask them matters.

Timing Is Everything

Always wait for the interviewer to invite your questions, usually towards the end of the discussion. Avoid interrupting their flow.

Listen Actively

Show genuine interest in their answers. It's a two-way conversation and you should ask follow-up questions if you need to.

Tailor Your Questions

Do your homework! Research the company and even your interviewer. Avoid asking questions that are easily answered on the company's website or were already covered. Questions to ask during your interview should show you've done your research.

Don't Overwhelm

While it's good to have a list of questions prepared, aim to ask about three to five high-impact questions. You want to leave a lasting positive impression, not exhaust your interviewer. You can find more strategies for job interview preparation from our Career Blog.

Asking the interviewers questions is a critical component of a successful job interview. By preparing thoughtful questions about the role, team, company, and next steps, you'll not only gain valuable insights but also demonstrate your engagement, intelligence, and genuine interest in the opportunity. All the best!