Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

I am sure you have heard it time and time again, but just in case you were not sure, asking questions at the end of the interview is not an option; it is a requirement. The best thing to remember is that you are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you.

Asking questions provides you with the opportunity to further understand the job and the culture. You can go over topics that may have not been covered in the initial interview. In addition, it also shows the interviewer that you are interested and engaged. Coming up with thoughtful and engaging questions, however, can often seem like a challenge. Below is a list of excellent questions to ask!

1. What is a typical day like for this role?

This question is direct and gives you the opportunity to understand what you would be doing day-to-day.  It also enables the interviewer to outline expectations of the role.

2. What do you enjoy most about working for (enter company name)?

If you’re interviewer genuinely enjoys working for the company, his enthusiasm and excitement will shine through in his answer. If they don’t enjoy working for the company that will often show too.

3. What are some of the challenges I might face in this role?

This gives you a generalized idea of what issues and difficulties you may face on the job. It also provides you with an opportunity to elaborate on how you could tackle some of the company’s concerns.

4. What is the company team and culture like?

Culture is such a key aspect of a candidate’s success in a job. If you don’t feel as though you fit well with the office environment in can be a challenge to excel. My mentor once told me that, “Sometimes a candidate can appear to be the perfect fit on paper, but maybe the wrong culture fit. More than likely, we may second guess whether or not to extend an offer based upon fit.” It is important to know that the culture and values of a company match well with your own. 

5. What are the next steps in the interview process?

Make this one of the last questions you ask. This shows your interviewer that you are interested in the role and are eager to move forward. Often, the interviewer will provide you with a timeline of when you can expect to hear from the company. This can help with the waiting game nervousness.

6. Do you have any further questions for me?

This should be the very last question you ask. Moving the question back onto the interviewer provides them with an easy opportunity to wrap up the interview and ensures that he has not left any questions unanswered.

I highly recommend bringing your questions along on a piece of paper. Not only does this enable you to remember them, but it also shows that you are well organized and prepared.

Do you have any great questions you have asked an interviewer? If so, I would love to hear them!