Questions to Ask in An Interview: Stand Out & Be Unique

Thoughtful questions before a job interview can really help raise your performance at an interview. By answering the question for the hiring manager, “Do you have any questions for me? “you are offered an opportunity to show your interest, your curiosity, and your commitment to finding a position and an environment in which you will shine. Let’s dive into questions to ask in an interview across a number of categories to help you get the most out of your next interview.

Article Overview

Questions to Ask in an Interview

Fully understand the work you are interviewing for. Ask questions that establish day-to-day tasks, expectations, and special projects for which you will be responsible.

What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
What are the most immediate projects that need attention?
Can you show me examples of projects I would be working on?
What skills and experiences are you looking for in the best candidate?
What will it take for me to win in this role?

Questions About Training and Professional Development

If you want to grow with your new company, ask about the professional development opportunities the company provides.

What is the onboarding process?
What are the training and development activities I can participate in?
Are there any stretch assignment opportunities in which I could grow?

Questions About Performance Review and Success

Understanding how you will be judged and evaluated gives you a sense of what is valued by the company and also how your new manager will work.

What are the greatest successes you would like to see come to pass within the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
What do you expect in terms of performance for this role over the next year?
How often would my performance be formally reviewed?
Against what metrics or goals will I be measured?

Questions to Ask About the Interviewer

Building a rapport with your interviewer will make a positive impression. These questions humanize the conversation.

How long have you been with the company?
Has your role changed since you started?
What were you doing before this job?
Why did you decide to work for this company?

Unique Interview Questions to Ask Employer

What do you most enjoy about working here?
What’s the biggest challenge you typically encounter in your job?
What part of your job are you really looking forward to at the moment?
Are there any interesting projects coming up?

Company Questions for Interviewer

It will then help you decide whether the purpose, values, and future of the company align with your personal and professional goals.

Can you tell me more about [a major recent development]?
Where do you see the company heading in the next few years?
What can you share about the company’s latest product or growth plan?

Team Questions to Ask in an Interview

Knowing who you will be working with regularly and what the team dynamics are can be important to job satisfaction.

Who will I be working with?
Who will be my closest colleagues?
Who will I directly report to?
What can you tell me about my direct reports?

Ask About Work Culture

Cultural fit may be just as crucial as skill fit. Investigate questions that can show you whether the company’s culture matches what you need in a workplace.

What’s the workplace culture, open team or individual working?
Describe how the team collaborates and maintains strong relationships within and out
Share with me a memorable recent event that has happened to celebrate the company.

Ask About the Company

What is your favorite office tradition?
What does the team usually do for lunch?
Do team members socialize outside of work?

Questions About Teams

Has the organization hosted or participated in joint events with other departments or organizations?
What makes working here different from anywhere else you’ve ever worked?
How is the company different now than when I started?

Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview

Before ending, make sure you know what happens next and if there’s something you could give them to provide further support for your application. These are some questions to ask after an interview:

What is the next step in this interviewing process?
Is there anything else I can provide you to help make a decision?
Do you have any other questions that I can answer?
How long do I need to wait before I hear what’s happening about the follow-up?

Questions to Avoid

Here are a few questions to ask you’re better off not asking:

– What does the company do? (Do some homework beforehand.)

– When does my paid time off kick in?

– Can I take every Monday off during football season?

– How much is the monthly childcare allowance?

– Can the people here take a joke?

– How soon can I start?

Conclusion

Unless you are interviewing for an entry-level job, avoid sounding presumptive. Asking smart and thoughtful questions during a job interview shows you’re prepared for the position while also getting a clearer picture of the role, the company, and your potential colleagues. These questions to ask in an interview are designed to spark meaningful conversations and provide you with the insights you need to decide if this is the right job. Remember, this is always a two-way street—a successful interview requires preparation, curiosity, and being yourself. Good luck!

FAQs

1. What are good questions to ask in an interview to understand the role better?

Ans: Ask about day-to-day responsibilities, like “What does a typical day look like?” or “What are the immediate priorities for this role?” to get a clear picture of what the job involves.

2. How can I show interest in growth with questions to ask in an interview?

Ans: Demonstrate your interest in growth by asking about training and advancement, such as “What learning opportunities are available?” or “Are there pathways for promotion within the company?”

3. What questions to ask in an interview to understand company culture?

Ans: To assess culture, try asking, “How would you describe the work environment?” or “What’s your favorite office tradition?” These questions offer insights into the team dynamics and values.

4. What questions to ask in an interview about team dynamics?

Ans: Ask questions like “Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?” or “Which departments work closely with this one?” to understand team structure and collaboration.

5. Are there questions I should avoid asking in an interview?

Ans: Avoid questions like “What does the company do?” or “When can I start?” Instead, ask questions that show genuine curiosity and engagement with the role and company.