Best questions to ask the interviewer
When an interviewer asks if you have any questions, the worst thing you can say is no. Even if you’re no longer interested in the role, you should always try to leave a good impression. Afterall, you never know when you might cross paths again.
The question phase of an interview is incredibly important. It’s your make or break point. Interviewees often focus on the number of questions they should ask, but that’s the wrong way to approach it. You need to establish a natural flow, especially if you’re unsure of what they think.
When you’re near the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions.
What questions should I ask the interviewer?
Clarity Question - Get immediate feedback, and potentially save a bad interview by simply asking if there’s anything they would like you to clarify.
Critical Questions - This can be a mixture of what you consider to be your personal dealbreakers. It will be the most strategic part of your questions, so keep an eye on the time remaining because it’s easy to run over before you can ask your last question.
Closing Question - Know exactly where you stand by asking the interviewer directly.
It’s super important that you know where you stand after a stressful interview for your own sanity.
Interviewers are usually quite honest if you ask them the closing question below. If it’s not a positive response, don’t be discouraged. It’s actually a good thing, because now you know you can focus your attention elsewhere.
1) Clarity Question
Before I dive into my questions, is there anything you would like me to elaborate on?
Is there anything about my background or responses that you would like me to clarify?
2) Critical Questions
Strategic:
What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?
What upcoming projects are you the most excited about?
What do you think success in this role looks like in the first 3 months?
(Ask about a recent article that was published about that company)
(Ask about a new product, feature, or report that was released)
Culture:
(Ask about one of your core values to see if the company in alignment)
What do you enjoy most working at [Company]?
Is there something that surprised you about working here when you first joined?
How would you describe the leadership style of [CEO or Department Head]?
What are your thoughts on the culture at [Company]?
Operations:
Can you tell me about the [Department] team?
How many people are on the team?
What does the day-to-day look like for someone on the [Department] team?
I noticed this role is hybrid, can you give me an overview of what that might look like?
I noticed that [Company] recently acquired [Acquisition], I was wondering how that may affect this role?
3) Closing Question
Do you feel like my background aligns well with what you’re looking for in this role?
Are there any areas where you feel like I might not be the strongest fit for this position?
Based on what we’ve discussed so far, do you think my experience aligns well with what you’re looking for?
Can you share some feedback for how I did in this interview?
