7 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview
Asking the right questions can set you apart from other candidates. Discover the top 7 questions that are sure to impress your interviewer.
What questions can I ask in a job interview? That's a question you've probably asked yourself again and again during the job search, and it's one that isn't that hard to answer. Selecting the right questions to ask in a job interview could be the key you need to secure your dream role, and this article will give you 7 of the best ones that are sure to 'wow' your interviewers.
Key Takeaways
- Asking questions at the end of an interview is crucial for standing out from other candidates.
- Focus your questions on the company and role, not on salary, benefits, or holidays - save those for later.
- Questions about progression and company culture demonstrate ambition and long-term thinking.
Why Asking Questions in an Interview is Important
Stand Out From Other Candidates
It may come as a surprise, but many candidates forget to ask questions at the end of their interview, but it's one of the most important steps. However, this is good news for you, as asking questions is one the best ways to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
When to Ask Questions
Some interviewers will prompt you to ask questions at the end of an interview, but others will leave it completely open to you. Just remember: if your interviewer invites questions, make sure to ask a few.
What Sort of Questions Should You Ask in an Interview?
Focus on the Company, Not Yourself
Any questions that you ask at an interview should focus on the company. Avoid asking questions that focus too much on yourself and what the organisation can do for you. Things such as salary, holidays and benefits can be saved for afterwards, or when you (hopefully) get a job offer.
Demonstrate Your Research and Interest
Instead, ask questions about the organisation. This demonstrates your interest and passion for the company and shows that you've done your research. Asking questions about the organisation at an interview also reframes the entire conversation. Instead of you trying to impress the interviewer, it's now their turn to impress you. It may come as a surprise, but interviewers get nervous too. When they speak to a candidate they like, they want to impress them as much as possible.
💡 Pro Tip
Use this time to ask questions that are important to you. What do you genuinely want to know about the company and what do you value in a workplace? Ask yourself these questions and use the answers to form your interview questions.
Top 7 Questions to Ask at an Interview
What does a typical day look like?
Asking this question enables you to learn as much about the role as possible. The job description is only one representation of what you'll be doing, so hearing someone explain it in person can be very useful. This will also allow you to ask follow up questions and decide whether the role is actually a good fit for you.
This interview question will also give you a clue as to what the employer's expectations are, which can set you up well if there's a second interview, for example.
What opportunities are there for training and progression?
The next interview question to ask is, in our opinion, the most important, and will make you stand out from the crowd. This question shows one thing that employers love: ambition and loyalty.
Demonstrating that progression is important to you shows the interviewer that you likely have a strong work ethic and ambitious career goals. It also lets you find out whether the company has progression opportunities and how often these are available. If the company doesn't offer much progression, then you know that it might not be a fit for your career goals.
What do you enjoy about your job and working for the company?
This question is a great opportunity to hear the interviewer's opinion of the company and allows you to glimpse into what it would be like to work there. If you'd like more detail, you can also ask follow up questions based on the answer your interviewer provides.
Can you tell me more about the team I'll be working with?
People are essential to an organisation, so it's important to know what they are like. Use this question to gauge the size of the team, the hierarchy, and each person's roles and responsibilities. It can also be helpful to ask what the team are like as people - what hobbies do they have? What are their working styles? Do they enjoy coming for afterwork drinks, or prefer to sneak out at 4pm?
Getting answers to these questions will help you decide whether your future team is the right fit for you. If you are a social butterfly and the majority of your team work from home or avoid team socials, then perhaps they aren't the right fit for you.
Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?
This question demonstrates to the interviewer that you have long term goals. Just like the question about progression opportunities, this shows that you plan to stick around at the company.
Plus, asking about the future of the company allows you to gauge whether its future plans will be a good fit for you going forward.
What's important to know about this role that isn't mentioned in the job description?
This question is perfect for demonstrating attention to detail in your interviews. Ideally, everything you need to know about the role should be listed in the job description, but it's always worth asking this question (time-permitting) to make sure all bases are covered.
If you could change one thing about this company, what would it be?
A question like this is great for gauging one major quality that signals a progressive company: are they open to change or not.
A company that is open to change is more likely to implement employee feedback, exactly the sort of company you want to be working for.
This question also signals areas of improvement for the company. No organisation is perfect and allowing employees to voice their feedback is always a sign of a company that listens.
💡 Remember
The key to asking great questions is showing genuine interest in the company and role. Tailor your questions based on your research and what genuinely matters to you in a workplace.
Other Useful Interview Questions to Ask
Some honourable mentions of additional interview questions to ask are:
Why is this position open?
How has the company changed over the last few years?
What is the onboarding process like?
How regular are company/team socials?
Test Your Interview Question Knowledge
Evaluate your understanding of strategic questioning to ensure you're maximizing your impact at the end of an interview.
Scenario:
The interviewer finishes their questions and invites you to ask your own. You see this as an opportunity to stand out as a candidate.
Why is it beneficial to ask questions at the end of your interview?
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