Knowing the right questions to ask an interviewer can be your golden ticket to landing your dream job. However, thinking of which ones to ask isn’t easy, as you need to tailor your questions to the company and the job you’re applying for—this is how you'll demonstrate your enthusiasm, which recruiters value.
As you prepare for the interview, a few questions will certainly come to mind, but you should also make sure to personalize them to get the answers you actually seek.
That’s why we’re here—to provide you with expert tips about asking the right questions in a job interview and offer useful advice on timing and quantity, so let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
Asking the right questions in a job interview will make you appear enthusiastic about the role.
Your question preparation should begin with thorough research on the company.
You should tailor your questions to the interviewing company and personalize them according to what you want to know about it.
Knowing how many questions to ask and when is just as important as asking the right ones.
You should actively participate in the interview instead of quietly preparing the questions to ask the interviewer at the end.
5+ Tips for Asking Questions in an Interview
Coming up with the right questions for a job interviewer isn’t always easy, which is why we’re here—to provide you with the needed guidelines. Let’s lay some ground rules for the “Do you have any questions for us?” portion of an interview.
#1. Research the Company
For your questions to be meaningful, you need to research the hiring company first.
You can start with the company’s official website, where you can see its culture and values. From there, you can go to LinkedIn and reputable company review and job search websites, where you can learn about former and current employees’ professional experiences and their experiences with your potential employer.
#2. Don’t Say You Have No Questions
Since your goal is to appear enthusiastic about the job, saying that you have no questions isn’t advisable—it’s likely to leave an impression of you being uninterested.
Moreover, it’s in your best interest to ask the right questions and get answers, as they will help you get a clear picture of what your employment in the company may look like and how to plan your working days accordingly.
#3. Don’t Ask Too Many Questions
There’s a fine line between asking the right amount of questions in a job interview and going overboard. While it’s good to have questions, you shouldn’t pile them up and ask too many.
The reason is twofold, yet simple. First off, asking too many questions can make you seem unprepared for the role. Secondly, if you force questions to satisfy quantity, they won’t be organic, and the interviewer will notice that. Subsequently, you’ll come across as overbearing instead of memorable.
#4. Ask What You Really Want to Know
In an effort to appeal to the job interviewer, you may miss the real purpose of asking them questions. Yes, it will help you leave a good impression, which is important, but not as much as the fact that it will get you the answers you need to have as a potential employee.
Moreover, the answers you get may even affect your interest in the job. You should remember that the company’s values and culture should align with your work style for a mutually successful collaboration.
#5. Personalize Your Questions
Just as you should tailor your questions to the company and the job, you also need to customize them for yourself. This tip is somewhat of an extension of the previous one—you ought to ask what really interests you as a person and a potential employee.
These questions can include asking about what your working day may look like and what you need to know about certain topics or tools. Since they’re personalized, you can get creative and come up with a few unique interview questions to ask the employer.
Keep in mind that answers to these questions may also deter you from the job. However, that’s another perk of asking them—you will know whether you want the role or not.
#6. Ask Questions Throughout the Interview
While there are certain questions to ask an interviewer after the meeting, not all of them should be saved for the end. Namely, you ought to aim for the perfect moment for each.
The truth is that a job interview, as formal of an occasion as it is, still needs to be a conversation. That means it should be interactive instead of interrogative, so refrain from answering the questions dryly and waiting for the end to ask yours.
Instead, pitch in with relevant questions throughout the interview (without interrupting anyone, of course). Not only will you get a better impression of the company and the position, but you’ll also accentuate your communication skills, which are a valuable asset for any job.
53+ Smart Questions to Ask an Interviewer
If you’ve ever searched for “What are the top 10 questions to ask a recruiter?” you’re in for a treat! We’re about to offer not 10 but over 50 smart questions to ask an interviewer.
However, as “smart” is a vague term, we’ll be more specific—our selection of questions will be categorized into several groups according to the subject of conversation, each of which is designed to accentuate both your soft and hard skills.
#1. Questions About the Position You’re Applying For
Your main focus up until the interview and during it is to learn as much as possible about the position you’re applying for.
To make that happen elegantly and showcase your hard skills at the same time, choose from the ten questions listed below:
Questions About the Position You’re Applying For
What does a typical day in this role look like?
Can I see examples of the projects I’d be working on?
What projects are of the highest priority?
What experience and skills does your ideal candidate have?
Are there any skills missing in the team that the new hire should fill?
Bonus: questions to ask an interviewer for a leadership position:
Questions To Ask An Interviewer For A Leadership Position
How would you describe the corporate culture?
How do you measure success?
What is the extent of someone’s power in this role?
Bonus: questions to ask an interviewer for a manager position:
Questions To Ask An Interviewer For A Manager Position
What is the present structure of my potential team?
What do you expect me to accomplish for the company within a year?
Who would I be reporting to?
#2. Questions About the Team
Questions about the team you may be joining show another layer of enthusiasm and dedication, so choose the ones that accentuate your teamwork skills. Here are some examples:
Questions About the Team
Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
Who will I be collaborating with most closely?
Can you tell me about my direct reports?
What would you highlight as the team’s strengths and challenges?
Do you expect the team to grow within the next six months?
What other sectors does my team collaborate with?
What challenges have people in this position faced so far?
Can you tell me about the biggest accomplishment the team has had in the past six months?
Is the working atmosphere more autonomous or collaborative?
How will my work be evaluated?
#3. Questions About Career Goals & Development
In addition to financial security, a job should provide opportunities for professional development. Asking some of the following questions in an interview will let you know if the role you’ve applied for meets that standard:
Questions About Career Goals & Development
Can you describe your onboarding process?
What professional development opportunities do you offer to employees?
Are there possibilities for progress within the organization?
Where have successful employees previously in this role advanced to?
What is your general training policy?
What kind of mentoring system do you have?
How can working here contribute to my professional development?
What types of employees generally succeed in the company?
What would you identify as something all employees learn while working here?
How can I contribute to the company’s vision for growth?
#4. Questions About the Company Culture
Questions about the company's culture are essential for determining whether you’re the right fit for the organization and vice versa. In that spirit, here are the best questions to ask an interviewer about the company culture:
Questions About the Company Culture
Can you tell me more about the most significant company developments?
What do you envision for the company in the next few years?
Can you tell me something about your plans for growth in the industry?
What goals does the company currently focus on?
How does the company uphold its values?
What do you think is the best thing about working here?
Is the company experiencing any challenges at the moment?
What kind of team-building activities do you organize?
How do you cultivate a healthy work-life balance?
What is the dress code?
#5. Questions About the Interviewer
Asking questions about the interviewer is how you show interest in them as a person. This is a great way to showcase your soft skills, so browse through our list of interviewer-related questions and pick your favorites:
Questions About the Interviewer
How long have you been working here?
How has your role changed since you started?
What are the projects you’re excited about?
How has your time at this company enriched your experience?
Why did you come to this company?
Have you had any other roles in this company?
Are there any upcoming initiatives that have piqued your interest?
What challenges do you face in your job?
What are your favorite things about the company?
Can you tell me about your milestones within the company?
#6. Closing Questions
Finally, when all is said and done, leave room for some closing questions to end the interview on a high note. It’s best if they’re relevant to the recruitment process to show interest in the specifics of the position you’ve applied for both at the start and the end of a job interview.
Here are some examples of interview-closing questions:
Closing Questions
What are the next steps in the recruitment process?
Is there anything else you’d like me to clarify about my professional experience and expertise?
How many candidates do you plan to meet overall?
5 Questions You Should Avoid Asking in an Interview
There’s a fine line between being enthusiastic and intrusive with your questions. Since you want to avoid the latter, you should steer clear of asking the following questions in an interview:
Questions You Should Avoid Asking in an Interview
“What does the job entail?”—This question is a red flag for the interviewer, as it shows that you haven’t done your research. Asking it can make you seem uninterested or unserious.
“What does the company do?”—You can ask specific questions about certain aspects of the company, but not knowing its mission can paint you in a bad light.
“Are any other positions open?”—You want to show dedication and enthusiasm, and this question does anything but that. While you can ask whether there’s room for advancement within the company, you should keep your questions focused on the job you’ve applied for.
“When can I start taking PTO?”—Although everyone is excited about PTO, you shouldn’t be that blatant about it in your interview. Otherwise, you’ll come off as unprofessional and even presumptuous for asking this question before getting the job.
“Are you going to check my references?”—Even if you have great references, there’s no good way to ask this question. Keep your curiosity at bay, or you may seem suspicious, and the interviewer may doubt your professional background.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to job interviews, there are certain questions you should refrain from asking. Fortunately, our guide shows you which questions should be avoided and how to focus on those that raise your chances of getting the job instead.
Although there are numerous smart questions to ask an interviewer, make sure not to ask too many of them—remember, quality beats quantity.
Choose the best and most relevant ones and sprinkle them throughout the interview to make a lasting impression on the recruiter.
