What to ask a company during an interview
When you’re in an interview, it’s crucial to make a lasting impression on your potential employer and demonstrate your genuine interest in the job. One effective way to do this is by preparing a set of questions to ask at the end of the interview.
As the interview progresses smoothly, and you confidently respond to the recruiter’s questions, you’ll eventually reach the point where they inquire, “Do you have any questions for me?” This is your chance to show your enthusiasm, engagement, and curiosity about the role and the company.
Having a well-thought-out list of questions for the interviewer not only displays your interest but also provides another opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
How many questions should I ask in an interview?
To have a diverse set of questions available, aim to come up with at least four or five inquiries. This way, even if some of your questions have been covered during the interview, you’ll have backup options. Your questions can vary from specific job-related queries to more general ones about the company’s culture and future plans.
What sort of questions should I ask a potential employer?
Avoid asking questions that overly focus on what the company can do for you, like inquiries about salary and benefits. Such questions might give the impression that you’re primarily interested in the monetary aspects, rather than the role or company itself. Save discussions about compensation for when you receive a job offer.
Also, steer clear of questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” After all, you want to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the company.
While it’s alright to seek clarification on certain points, be mindful not to ask about topics that have already been covered during the interview. You want to show that you’ve been paying attention throughout the conversation.
What should I ask during an interview?
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some excellent questions to ask at the end of an interview:
- What does a typical day in this role look like?
- How could I make a significant impact in the first three months?
- What are the opportunities for training and career growth within the organization?
- Where do you see the company heading in the next five years?
- Could you describe the company’s working culture?
- What do you enjoy most about working for this company?
- What are the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?
- What do you think encourages employees to stay at this company?
If you want to delve deeper into the role itself, consider asking the following:
- Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
- Who would I be reporting to?
- What do you think is the most challenging aspect of the job?
- What qualities do you believe are most important for someone in this role to possess?
- Beyond technical skills, what soft skills do you think are valuable for this position?
- Is this a new position? If not, why did the previous person leave?
- How have previous employees succeeded in this role?
- How do you evaluate success in this position?
- Is there a typical career path for someone in this role?
Remember, besides these questions, you can also ask about performance appraisals, department or company challenges, and ongoing projects or campaigns.
If the interviewer doesn’t provide information about the next steps, it’s appropriate to wrap up the interview by politely asking about the expected timeline for their decision, or what the next stages are.
By asking thoughtful and relevant questions, you show your commitment and genuine interest in the position, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer.