29+ Questions to Ask in a Job Interview and Impress Employers

Figuring out what questions to ask in a job interview can be quite a challenge; after all, you’re there to be interviewed, not interview others. Yet, this is surprisingly important for leaving a great impression and may even determine whether you progress to the next stage or secure a job.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled some of the best questions to ask in a job interview and explained why they work. Furthermore, we’ve explored what you shouldn’t ask to help you avoid uncomfortable situations during the interview.

So, let’s get started!

Mastering the “Do You Have Any Questions?” Moment

To master the “Do you have any questions?” moment, you must understand why this question matters, prepare yourself strategically, and deliver your questions effectively.

Below, we will examine each of these steps closely.

#1. Understanding Why This Question Matters

It’s no secret that the only correct answer to an interviewer asking if you have any questions is yes, but why is that the case? After all, if you already understand the role’s demands and the company’s methods, there should be no reason to prolong the conversation.

However, asking the right questions may boost your standing among the job candidates, making you appear interested, enthusiastic, and attentive. Saying you have no questions, on the other hand, comes across as standoffish or disinterested, which isn’t the impression you want to leave on interviewers.

#2. Preparing Your Questions Strategically

Not every question is a good question, so carefully consider what you want to ask and how it may sound to the interviewer. Aside from that, though, you should take into account the information you can learn from each question; remember, you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you.

#3. Delivering Your Questions Effectively

Finally, think of the way to phrase each question to maximise its effectiveness and present yourself as highly dependable and professional.

For instance, saying “What are your expectations of me in this role?” may leave a better impression than asking, “What does this role entail?” That’s because the former has a more proactive connotation, expressing your desire to deliver satisfying results rather than simply learn about your responsibilities.

29+ Powerful Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

Let’s review some powerful questions you should ask in a job interview and analyse how they might give you an edge.

#1. Questions About the Specific Role

Arguably, the most important questions you can ask in a job interview are those about the specifics of the role. Even if the job description outlines most of your responsibilities, extra details wouldn’t go amiss and may prove invaluable both for the application process and the job afterwards.

So, here are some good questions to ask in a job interview about your role:

• “Could you describe what a typical day would look like in this position?”

Not only does this question give you plenty of information about your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, but it also demonstrates practicality and genuine interest in the position.

• “What are the biggest challenges someone in this position would face?”

Work isn’t always smooth sailing, so it’s smart to learn about and prepare yourself for potential challenges early on.

• “How has this role evolved over time within the company?”

Impress your interviewers by asking this unusual question that shows curiosity and foresight. Understanding what your role entailed previously can help you predict how it might further develop in the future.

• “What would success in this role look like after 3, 6, and 12 months?”

This question helps you determine your potential company’s evaluation criteria and set goals for the future. Furthermore, it shows you what you can expect in terms of career advancement.

• “What’s the performance review like for this position?”

Find out how your success will be determined and what key strengths and skills to focus on to achieve the best results.

• “What skills and experiences have helped others succeed in this role?”

If you’ve reached the interview stage, you likely possess relevant skills and experiences, but this question can show you what could set you apart from other candidates in the following rounds.

#2. Questions About Your Potential Manager

An interview isn’t just about the employer finding the best employee for the position; it’s also an opportunity for you to discover whether your potential employer is a good fit. So, don’t be afraid to interview your manager in return; this will help you learn more about their values, expectations, and working style.

Here are some questions to ask the interviewer at a job interview:

• “How would you describe your management style?”

A direct question like this can tell you a lot about a manager. If they have a clear answer on the spot, they are self-aware and confident in their management. On the other hand, a vague answer may indicate uncertainty or a lack of self-reflection.

• “What’s your favourite part about managing this team?”

This question asks for a moderately personal angle, which can reveal a lot about your manager’s values and priorities. It also humanises the conversation, allowing you to get to know each other as people, not just as an interviewer and a potential employee.

• “How do you provide feedback to your team members?”

Aside from revealing your manager’s leadership style, this question clarifies how superiors in the company evaluate their subordinates. Therefore, you can determine whether their approach fits your personal preferences.

• “How do you prefer to communicate with your team members?”

It’s helpful to know whether the relationship between the manager and their employees is strictly professional or casual and friendly. Plus, visualising the team’s dynamics can help you imagine how you’d fit in the mix.

#3. Questions About the Team Structure

If you’re expected to work in a team, questions about its structure and dynamics can help you determine whether a company is a good match. Here are some that you should consider asking:

• “Could you tell me more about the team I’d be working with?”

An open-ended question of this kind invites the interviewer to share information, allowing you to learn what they consider the most important about your potential team. Their answer should also give you an insight into the team’s basic structure and daily responsibilities.

• “How does this team fit into the larger organisational structure?”

Once you’ve learnt about your team’s dynamics, it’s time to place it into a larger context. This question opens up a conversation about the team’s potential growth, collaboration with other sectors, and overall impact on the company.

• “How has the team adapted to remote or hybrid working arrangements?”

This question subtly seeks information about the company’s setup, be it remote, hybrid, or fully office-based. Providing several options may indicate greater open-mindedness and readiness to cater to employees’ needs and preferences.

• “Are there opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration?”

Opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration may imply an open, transparent, and communicative work environment, typically conducive to growth and learning. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, this is a good question to ask at a job interview.

#4. Questions About Company Culture and Environment

Even your dream position can become a nightmare if the company culture doesn’t suit your preferences. Remember, you’ll likely spend most of your day in the workplace, so you need to feel comfortable and like you actually belong there.

Here are some questions to ask in a job interview to gauge whether you and the company would make a good cultural fit:

• “How would you describe company culture in three words?”

This question is an excellent opener for a conversation about the company culture, as it is creative, personal, and direct. Once the interviewer answers, you can easily follow up with more questions or ask for clarification on certain parts of their response.

• “How does the company support work-life balance?”

Pay special attention to the answer to this question; any vagueness could be a warning sign. A healthy work-life balance should be supported by clearly outlined company policies, which an interviewer should be able to point out right away.

• “What traditions and events does the company celebrate?”

Expressing interest in the company beyond tasks and responsibilities could help you distinguish yourself from other applicants and improve your chances of securing the position.

• “What do you enjoy most about working here?”

This personal question can reveal significant details about company culture, as it humanises your interviewer and makes them step out of their role for a moment. Their answer is also more likely to be honest if you ask about their experience directly.

#5. Questions About Growth and Development

Questions about growth and development are important because they show your ambition and interest in self-improvement and give you insight into available opportunities. If there is a mismatch between what the company offers and your ambitions, you can expect problems down the line.

To avoid that, here are some excellent questions to ask in a job interview:

• “What does a typical career path look like for someone in this position?”

Sometimes, straightforward questions work best, and this one is an example of that. The answer should give you all the necessary information about your potential growth in the company. In addition, asking this question shows that you are considering long-term employment, which can be a huge plus for the employer.

• “How does the company support continuing education or skill development?”

The answer to this question should be concrete, giving you specific examples of training and courses available to employees. If it’s not, the company likely doesn’t offer many development opportunities, which is valuable information in its own right, as it helps you decide whether this job opportunity is good enough for you.

• “What skills do I need to progress to the next level?”

Interviewers love this question because it shows initiative and a proactive attitude that’s highly regarded in professional contexts. Plus, you get to find out what the company’s criteria are and how you can meet the requirements for career advancement.

• “Can you share examples of team members who have advanced their careers here?”

Again, pay attention to how specific the answer is. That doesn’t mean interviewers should reveal said team members’ personal details, but they should give you a summary of their career progression within the company.

#6. Questions About Company Direction and Future

Knowing where the company is headed is essential in determining whether your goals are aligned with the organisation’s. It also makes planning for the future easier; for instance, if it looks like the company will grow, you can predict how your responsibilities and benefits will change.

So, here are some important questions to ask in a job interview:

• “What are the company’s main priorities and goals for the coming year?”

Companies set their goals a year in advance, so your interviewer shouldn’t have trouble answering this question. This might reveal where the company is going and where it is now.

• “What challenges is the company currently facing?”

Any interviewer whose answer to this question is that there are no challenges shouldn’t be trusted, which raises further concerns about the company’s transparency. On the other hand, a concrete answer will inform you of the struggles you might face at your workplace and show you that the company is honest with its employees.

• “What excites you most about the company’s future?”

Once again, personalise the question to get a more authentic answer and build a closer bond with your interviewer.

• “How does this role contribute to the company’s long-term vision?”

This question seeks further context for your role; you may know its responsibilities and general description, but how does it fit into the bigger picture? Asking this demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset and helps you grasp the importance of the position you applied for.

#7. Closing Questions for a Strong Finish

Finally, closing questions are important because the final impression is almost as important as the first. Thus, it’s best to ask questions that redirect the focus onto your job application process and show enthusiasm for the role.

These are some good examples:

• “Is there anything about my background or experience that gives you pause about my suitability for this role?”

Though it may seem like a question asking for trouble, it’s just the opposite: it creates an opportunity to clarify anything your interviewer might find worrisome. This is an excellent question to ask if you have an employment gap in your work history or are switching to a new profession.

• “What are the next steps in the interview process?”

This question shows confidence and readiness to tackle the recruitment process challenges until you can secure the position. Plus, you will learn what comes next so that you can prepare and impress at each following stage.

• “Is there anything else I can provide to help you make your decision?”

A helpful and collaborative attitude demonstrated by this question is always welcome and might make a significant impression on your potential employers.

• “When might I expect to hear about the next steps?”

This question is a perfect way to wrap up the job interview; it shows that you’re curious and engaged and provides a timeline to help you plan your next moves.

Questions to Avoid Asking in Job Interviews

The questions you should avoid asking in job interviews include those that show poor research, focus too early on benefits, or are inappropriate or overly personal.

Here is what you shouldn’t ask in an interview, explained in more detail.

#1. Questions That Show Poor Research

Doing your due research before the interview will save you the embarrassment of asking questions that can easily be answered with a quick Google search.

For instance, asking what the job entails or what the company does implies that you haven’t taken any interest in the potential employer, perhaps not even read the job description. This makes you appear uninterested and unprofessional, which aren’t exactly qualities found in a good employee candidate.

#2. Questions That Focus Too Early on Benefits

There’s no doubt that benefits such as holiday entitlement and bonuses interest you the most, but you shouldn’t ask about these immediately. It’s best to leave such questions for later interview stages or save them for conversations after you get hired.

That’s because, ultimately, benefits-focused questions don’t demonstrate your qualities or show interest in the company and the role. Instead, they come across as entitled and self-serving, especially when brought up before your employer learns more about you.

#3. Inappropriate or Overly Personal Questions

Generally speaking, questions about age, political views, religion, or marital status should be avoided, as they are unprofessional and personal. Asking the interviewers about their salaries or opinions on specific team members is also highly inappropriate and may result in the interview getting cut short.

Finally, we should mention that flirtatious and suggestive questions have no place at a job interview. These will likely make interviewers uncomfortable and won’t help you get the job.

Adapting Your Questions for Different Interview Stages

Adapting your questions for different interview stages increases your chances of standing out and passing on to the next round. Considering that, you should prepare for telephone, panel, and final-round interviews.

Here are some job interview tips to help you present yourself confidently in each of the different interview stages:

#1. Questions for Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews are typically shorter telephone conversations with the prospective employer that allow them to establish that you meet the role’s requirements before you face a panel. Since it’s your first contact with the company, the interviewer’s questions will mostly ask you to introduce yourself.

At this stage, you should also ask a few questions, but choose those that focus on your role’s responsibilities, daily tasks, or career advancement. More complex questions should be saved for later rounds, where you can expect a deeper conversation.

#2. Questions for Panel Interviews

Panel interviews are the main event of the recruitment process and, as such, undoubtedly the most stressful part. They are significantly longer than telephone interviews and require thorough preparation and concentration throughout.

During a panel interview, you’ll face multiple interviewers, each of whom will have their own questions and participate in the discussion. As a result, you must communicate with each one equally and show adaptability in the way you navigate the conversation.

At this stage, feel free to ask the more complex questions; for instance, those about the company’s direction, culture, challenges, and goals. This is also an opportunity to ask your potential manager (if they are present) a few questions to gauge their management style and job satisfaction.

#3. Questions for Final-Round Interviews

The final-round interview is often seen as a formality, but that doesn’t mean you should be too casual about it. After all, you’re likely to meet senior management or even the CEO at this stage, so you need to be more professional.

You should also prepare some questions to ask the CEO in a job interview, such as, for instance, how they measure employee success and what they do to encourage productivity. Depending on how the conversation goes, you might ask about the benefits at this point, but be careful not to sound like that’s the only thing that interests you.

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Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the best questions to ask in a job interview and the reasons they are the right choice. With your new knowledge, you should navigate the recruitment process stage with ease!

However, first you need to get to that stage, which is only possible if you have an excellent CV. So, explore our CV templates, pick the one that suits your tastes, edit it, and submit it to your employer in under 15 minutes!