Interviewing can be nerve-racking. Don’t leave without asking questions that might set you apart from other candidates and help you choose your dream job.
Many job seekers forget that a successful interview requires two-way communication. Sure, you are there to answer the interviewer’s questions, but it is important to remember that you can and should be asking questions, too.
When you ask appropriate and thoughtful questions in an interview it can not only reinforce your qualifications, but also help you determine if this position and the company are the right fit for you. Moreover, if you choose not to ask questions, employers may regard you as uninterested in the opportunity.
What You Want to Achieve
Asking questions can be a good way to get a sense for what the interviewer thinks about you. Use this opportunity to demonstrate some of your communication and listening skills. Make sure to ask open-ended questions, not something that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”.
Indicate to the interviewer that you are interested in the position and the company. Did you research the company or hiring manager before your interview? Don’t miss out on an opportunity to show that you are proactive and serious about considering this position.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, asking the right questions will help you determine whether you can see yourself working for this employer. Would this position and company be the right decision for your career? Dig a little deeper to ensure that you can make an educated decision if and when an offer comes your way.
5 Questions to Ask
With these goals in mind, you can come up with a lot of different questions to ask during your interviewer. Write down a few questions while you are preparing for your interview. Test a few out on a friend or roommate to make sure that they are easy to understand and provide you with the right information. Some might be answered during the interview process, so make sure to have a few extra questions on hand.
Need a jumping off point? Here are our top five questions to ask during an interview:
1. What excites you most about the company’s future?
Asking about the company’s future will illustrate your interest in the organization as a whole and not just the position for which you are applying. The interviewer’s response will help indicate the direction of the company’s growth, focus and how effectively that vision is communicated among its employees.
This is also a great opportunity for follow up questions like: “How will this position contribute to the company’s overall mission?” If you see yourself working for this company for an extended period of time, this is a great way to weigh how your position can help achieve the company’s goals and if there are opportunities for you to advance.
2. Can you tell me about the last team event?
Sometimes a question can be too open-ended. Asking generally about the company culture might not get you enough information to help you decide if this is the right place for you. You might hear, “We work hard, play hard.” What does that mean specifically?
Instead, ask about the last company-sponsored team event. Be careful not to use the phrase “office party,” as this might indicate to the interviewer that you are not serious. The types of team events described can illustrate how the company facilitates communication between departments, motivates their employees, or promotes professional development.
3. How can I be most successful in this position?
This question is a great way to gauge what the performance expectations are for a position. The interviewer’s response will show you what aspects of your position’s performance are most important to the company and help you determine if those metrics are a good fit for you. By framing this question in the first-person, you are demonstrating to the interviewer that you picture yourself in this position and focus on success.
4. What is the onboarding or training schedule?
Is the interview process going well? Perhaps you’ve moved to the short list of candidates that the company is seriously considering. This is probably a good time to ask about any scheduled training or onboarding that might help you get acclimated to the company and position. You might be using a new software or learning how to sell a specific product line. Additionally, you may use this opportunity to ask about cross-training, professional training or continuing education benefits.
5. Next steps?
Are you interested in moving forward with this company? You can influence the outcome of this interview by bringing up a couple questions about next steps.
- How many other people are you interviewing for the position? Most likely you are not the only candidate the company has interviewed. If you are curious about your competition, it is appropriate to ask the interviewer how many other candidates he or she is considering for the role.
- What is the next step in the interview process? The company might want you to meet with the direct manager or submit an example of your work. Don’t get ambushed by something you could have easily asked about.
- What’s your timeline for next steps? If you are planning on following up with the interviewer or hiring manager, it is a good idea to inquire about his or her timeframe for making a decision. This will help you plan out when to reach out if you haven’t heard back.