The best questions to ask during an interview: 38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Опубликовано: January 7, 2022 в 10:12 am

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57 Best Questions to Ask in an Interview in 2022

Interviewing

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You’re sitting under the florescent lights of an unfamiliar conference room across from the person who may decide the fate of your job search, trying desperately to remember that perfect story you prepared and wondering if the AC is always set to ‘arctic blast.’ Or maybe you’re at home in front of the most professional wall in your apartment, looking at your interviewer on a computer screen and hoping your camera won’t shift and reveal the stack of empty La Croix cans you forgot to move before the Zoom call started. 

Then, the hiring manager asks the interview question you know is a signal that things are about to wrap up: “Do you have any questions for me?”

You probably already know that whether you’re stressed or relaxed, whether you think you’ve fumbled the conversation badly or you’ve got this job in the bag, the worst thing you could say is, “Nope, I’m good.

An interview isn’t just a chance for the hiring manager to grill you—it’s your opportunity to sniff out whether a position would be as great for you as you would be for the position. So it’s vital to ask some questions of your own. What do you want to know about the role? The company? The department? The team? The person interviewing you who may be your future boss, coworker, or mid-afternoon coffee buddy?

To get you thinking, we’ve put together a list of key questions to ask in an interview. We definitely don’t suggest asking all of them rapid-fire—some of this stuff will be covered during the course of your discussion, and you can always ask questions throughout the conversation. Plus, you will sound like you’re reading the questions off some sort of internet list and not truly listening to their answers. You should also customize these questions to the specific opportunity or ask tailored questions that show you’re invested in the position and you’ve been paying attention throughout the interview process.

So this list isn’t the be-all and end-all—it’s your jumping off point.

Best questions to ask about the job

Make sure you have a handle on exactly what the day-to-day responsibilities of the job will be—both now and in the future. This will help you make an informed decision if and when that job offer comes and avoid Shift Shock.

  • What does a typical day or week look like in this role? (Or one of these alternatives.)
  • What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
  • Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?
  • What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate?
  • What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
  • What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
  • What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
  • What sort of budget would I be working with?
  • Is this a new role or will I be taking over for an employee who’s leaving?
  • How does this position contribute to the company overall?
  • Do you expect the main responsibilities for this position to change in the next six months to a year?

Top questions to ask about training and professional development

Think of each new opportunity not just as a job, but as the next step on your path to career success. Will this position help you get there?

  • What does your onboarding process look like?
  • What learning and professional development opportunities are available to your employees?
  • Will there be opportunities for stretch assignments where I can learn and use new skills?
  • Are there opportunities for advancement within the company?
  • Would I be able to represent the company at industry conferences?
  • Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to?

Common questions to ask about how your success will be evaluated

Understanding how your potential new manager will measure your success is key to understanding their managerial style as well as company or team priorities.

  • What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job?
  • What are the performance expectations of this position over the first 12 months?
  • What is the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed?
  • What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?

Smart questions to ask about the interviewer

Asking these questions shows that you’re interested in your interviewer as a person—and that’s a great way to build rapport with a future colleague.

  • How long have you been with the company?
  • Has your role changed since you’ve been here?
  • What did you do before this?
  • Why did you come to this company?
  • What’s your favorite part about working here?
  • What’s one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?
  • What part of your job are you most excited about over the next few months?
  • Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you’re especially interested in?

Best questions to ask about the company

Why not learn a little bit about where you might work? A job isn’t just about your day-to-day to-do list. You’ll likely be happier with an employer that shares similar values to yours and is headed in a direction you’re on board with.

  • I’ve read about the company’s founding, but can you tell me more about [another significant company development] ?
  • What direction do you see this company heading in over the next few years?
  • What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
  • What are the current goals that the company is focused on, and how does this team work to support hitting those goals?
  • What gets you most excited about the company’s future?
  • What are the company’s most important values? (Note: Make sure this isn’t easily Google-able!)
  • How does the company ensure it’s upholding its values?

Smart questions to ask about the team

The people you work with day in and day out can really make or break your work life. Ask some questions to uncover whether it’s the right team for you.

  • Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
  • Who will I work with most closely?
  • Who will I report to directly?
  • Can you tell me about my direct reports?
  • What are the team’s biggest strengths and challenges?
  • Do you expect to hire more people in this department in the next six months?
  • Which other departments work most closely with this one and how?

Creative questions to ask about the culture

You don’t want to end up at a workplace where all socialization happens at happy hour if you don’t drink or you need to get home to your kids, or where everyone is focused solely on their own work if you thrive in a collaborative environment, for example. So make sure you ask about what’s important to you when it comes to company culture.

  • How would you describe the work environment here—is the work typically more collaborative or more independent?
  • How does the team form and maintain strong bonds?
  • Can you tell me about the last company event you did together?
  • What’s your favorite office tradition?
  • What do you and the team usually do for lunch?
  • Does anyone at the company or on this team hang out outside the office?
  • Do you ever do joint events with other companies or departments?
  • What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked?
  • How has the company changed since you joined?
  • How has the organization overcome challenges with remote work?
  • How does the company make sure that remote and hybrid employees are given the same opportunities and standards as in-office employees?

Read More: Yes, You Can Still Learn About Company Culture When Interviewing Remotely—Here’s How

Best questions to ask about next steps

Before you leave, make sure the interviewer has all the information they need and that you’re clear on what you can expect going forward. (Just don’t make this the very first thing you ask when they kick it to you!)

  • What are the next steps in the interview process?
  • Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
  • Can I answer any final questions for you?

More questions to ask

Updated 5/20/2022

7 good questions to ask at an interview

To make sure the employer knows you’re prepared and interested in the role make sure you have some questions ready to ask at the end of the interview

Your interview is going well. You’ve answered all the recruiters questions confidently and the session is coming to a close. One of the final things you’ll be asked will be, ‘Do you have any questions for me?’ To have a chance of securing the job, always say yes.

Having a list of questions to ask an interviewer makes you look interested, enthusiastic and engaged – all qualities that the employer will be looking for. It also gives you one final chance to further highlight your relevant qualities and experience.

Try to come up with at least four or five questions to ask the interviewer. That way, if one or two of them are answered during the earlier discussion, you have backups in place.

Avoid asking questions that focus too much on what the organisation can do for you. Save questions about salary and holiday allowance for when you’ve got a job offer. Also, stay away from questions that require a yes or no answer, as you’re likely to find this information on the company’s website.

While it’s ok to ask your interviewer to clarify certain points, avoid asking about anything that has previously been covered. You don’t want them to think that you haven’t been paying attention. If you need some inspiration here are some good questions to ask at an interview…

Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?

Asking this question enables you to learn as much about the role as possible. The interviewer’s response will provide insight into what skills and experience are needed, and will also help you decide if the role is right for you.

The answer will give you an idea of what the employer’s expectations are, so if you’re offered the job there should be no surprises when you start.

How could I impress you in the first three months?

This is a good question to ask at the end of a job interview because it shows potential employers that you’re eager to make a positive contribution to the organisation.

Pay close attention to the recruiter’s response as it will tell you how they want you to perform and will highlight particular areas of the job you should be focusing on during the first few weeks of employment.

Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company?

Enquiring about development opportunities demonstrates to the interviewer that you’re serious about your career and committed to a future with the organisation.

You don’t want to be stuck in a dead-end job so if you’re unsure of the typical career path for someone in this role, asking this question will help you to assess whether a long-term career with the company is a possibility, or if you’d need to move on to gain further responsibility.

Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?

The response you receive will give you an insight into the company’s progression plans and its place in the market, while giving you a general idea about job security. You may also get a heads-up on any major upcoming projects.

Asking about future plans shows a real interest in the organisation and reiterates your commitment to the company.

Can you describe the working culture of the organisation?

Asking this question is a great way to assess the working environment of the company and it gives you the opportunity to discover whether you’ll fit in.

From the recruiters response you’ll learn if and how the organisation prioritises employee happiness, of any benefits on offer and what the work-life balance is like.

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What do you enjoy about your job?

Everybody loves to talk about themselves and this question enables you to build up a sense of camaraderie with your interviewer. This question requires a personal response, so you could learn a lot from their answer.

You’ll get an insider’s view of the company culture and working environment and you may even get to discover how your interviewer got their start in the business and how they progressed.

Can you tell me more about the team I would be working in?

This will help you understand the way the company is structured, who you’ll report to and the department the role sits within. These are the people you’ll work most closely with, so it’s worth trying to find out about the team dynamic and working methods.

Depending on the response, it may also give you the opportunity to mention any experience or success you’ve had working in similar teams – just to give the employer one final example of how well you’ll fit in if you get the job.

Other useful questions to ask at interview include those about:

  • performance appraisals
  • opportunities or challenges facing the department/company
  • company-specific projects or campaigns.

If the employer doesn’t give an indication of what happens next then a good way to wrap up the interview is by asking about the next steps and when you can expect to hear from them.

Find out more

  • Discover how to prepare for an interview.
  • Learn how to avoid these top 5 job interview mistakes.
  • Find out how to ace a competency-based interview.

Written by Rachel Swain, Editorial manager

Prospects · May 2021

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10 Best Questions to Ask in an Interview 2021

10 Best Questions to Ask in an Interview 2021

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Workplace advice columnist Alison Green answers all your questions about office life. Got a question for her? Email [email protected].

Workplace advice columnist Alison Green answers all your questions about office life. Got a question for her? Email [email protected].

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images

You’re in a job interview, you’ve fielded a couple dozen questions from your interviewer, and now they ask, “What questions do you have for me?”

If you’re like a lot of people, you might end up stumbling around for what to ask. I’ve interviewed probably thousands of job applicants in my career, and I’m always surprised by how many people don’t have questions at all — which is hard to understand when they’re considering spending 40-plus hours a week at this job and when it’ll have such a big impact on their day-to-day quality of life.

To be fair, many people worry about which questions are okay to ask. They’re afraid of seeming demanding or nitpicky or they’re concerned that their interviewer will draw unflattering conclusions from the questions they ask. It can be hard to elicit the information you really want to learn (like “What are you really like as a manager?” and “Does everyone secretly hate it here?”) while still being reasonably tactful.

And sometimes people misunderstand how they can best use this part of the interview. Rather than using it to find out the information they truly want to know about the job, the manager, and the culture, they instead try to use the time to further impress their interviewer and pitch themselves for the job. That’s not a good strategy since it means you won’t get the intel you need to decide if the gig is right for you or not. (It also tends to be pretty transparent and will annoy interviewers who don’t appreciate having their time wasted that way.) It’s not that you don’t need to care about the impression your questions will give the interviewer — you should — but you shouldn’t squander the opportunity to get a much deeper understanding of what you’d be signing up for if you take this job.

So what should you ask when it’s your turn to question your interviewer? Here, ten really strong questions that will get you useful insights into
whether the job is right for you.

.

Questions About the Position

1. “How will you measure the success of the person in this position?”

This gets right to the crux of what you need to know about the job: What does it mean to do well, and what will you need to achieve in order for the manager to be happy with your performance?

You might figure that the job description already laid this out, but it’s not uncommon for a job description to be the same one an employer has been using for the last ten years, even if the job changed significantly during that time. Companies often post job descriptions that primarily use boilerplate language from HR, while the actual manager has very different ideas about what’s most important in the role. Also, frankly, most employers just suck at writing job descriptions (which is why so many of them sound like they were written by robots rather than humans), so it’s useful to have a conversation about what the role is really about. You might find out that while the job posting listed 12 different responsibilities, your success in fact just hinges on 2 of them, or that the posting dramatically understated the importance of 1 of them, or that the hiring manager is battling with her own boss about expectations for the role, or even that the manager has no idea what success would look like in the job (which would be a sign to proceed with extreme caution).

2. “What are some of the challenges you expect the person in this position to face?”

thecut.com/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckrv1kza9003q3h6h0og0r4fk@published” data-word-count=”52″>This can get at information you’d never get from the job description — like that you’ll have to deal with messy interdepartmental politics, or that the person you’ll be working with most closely is difficult to get along with, or that you’ll need to work within draconian budget restrictions on your program.

It can also create an opening for you to talk about how you’ve approached similar challenges in the past, which can be reassuring to your interviewer. I don’t recommend asking questions just so you can follow up with a sales pitch for yourself — that’s annoying and usually pretty obvious — but if asking about challenges leads to a real discussion of how you’d approach them, it can be genuinely useful for you both.

thecut.com/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckrv1l5s0003w3h6hu1ibte8i@published” data-word-count=”12″>3. “Can you describe a typical day or week in the job?”

If the job description mentioned a combination of admin work and program work, it’s important to know whether 90 percent of your time will be spent on the admin work or if the split is more like 50/50. Or you might find out that the part of the job that you were most excited about actually only comes up every six months. But even barring major insights like that, the answer to this question can just help you better visualize what it will actually be like to be in the job day after day.

Tip: Some interviewers will respond to this question with, “Oh, every day is different. ” If that happens, try asking, “Can you tell me what the last month looked like for the person in the job currently? What took up most of their time?”

If nothing you try gets you a clear picture of how your time will be spent, that might be a sign that you’ll be walking into chaos – or a job where expectations never get clearly defined.

4. “How long did the previous person in the role hold the position? What has turnover in the role generally been like?”

If no one has stayed in the job very long, that could be a red flag about a difficult manager, unrealistic expectations, lack of training, or some other land mine. If just one person left after a few months, that’s not necessarily a danger sign — after all, sometimes things just don’t work out. But if you hear there’s been a pattern of people leaving quickly, it’s worth asking, “Do you have a sense of what has led to the high turnover?”

Obviously if the position is a new one, you can’t ask this – but in that case you could ask about turnover on the team instead.

.

Questions About Your Success in the Position

5. “What are you hoping this person will accomplish in their first six months and in their first year?”

This query can give you a sense of what kind of learning curve you’re supposed to meet and the pace of the team and organization. If you’re expected to have major achievements under your belt after only a few months, that tells you that they likely won’t give you a lot of ramp-up time. Which might be fine if you’re coming in with a lot of experience, but it might be worrisome otherwise. On the flip side, if you’re someone who likes to jump right in and start getting things done, you might not be thrilled to hear that most of your first six months will be spent in training.

This question can also draw out information about key projects that you wouldn’t otherwise have heard about.

6. “Thinking back to people you’ve seen do this work previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great at it?”

thecut.com/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckrv1masv004w3h6h5d8rnzoi@published” data-word-count=”118″>A job candidate asked me this question years ago, and it might be the strongest question I’ve ever been asked in an interview. The thing about this question is that it goes straight to the heart of what the hiring manager is looking for. Hiring managers aren’t interviewing candidates in the hopes of finding someone who will do an average job; they’re hoping to find someone who will excel. And this question says that you care about the same thing. Just asking obviously doesn’t guarantee that you’ll do extraordinary work, but it makes you sound like someone who’s at least aiming for that — someone who’s conscientious and driven, and those are huge things in a hiring manager’s eyes.

Plus, the answer to this question can give you much more nuanced insight into what it’ll take to truly excel in the job — and whatever the answer is, you can think about whether or not it’s something you’re likely able to do.

.

Questions About the Company

7. “How would you describe the culture here? What type of people tend to really thrive here, and what type don’t do as well?”

Sometimes hiring managers are pretty bad at accurately describing the culture on their teams — in part because they have a vested interest in seeing it a certain way and in part because they have an inherently different vantage point than their staff members do. For example, I’ve heard incorrigible micromanagers tell candidates that they like to give people a lot of independence and autonomy — and they probably really believed that about themselves. So take managers’ descriptions of culture with a heavy grain of salt (and confirm anything that’s important to you with people who are not the manager), but there’s still value in hearing what they do and don’t emphasize.

But asking about what types of people tend to thrive versus those who tend to struggle can get you more revealing information. You’ll often learn what that manager really cares about in their employees, or which traits will set you up to clash with them, or who’s likely to bristle at their management style.

8. “What do you like about working here?”

You can learn a lot by the way interviewers respond to this question. People who genuinely enjoy their jobs and the company will usually have several things they can tell you that they like about working there and will usually sound sincere. But if you get a blank stare or a long silence before your interviewer answers, or the answer is something like “the paycheck,” consider that a red flag.

9. Ask the question you really care about.

It’s understandable to want to impress your interviewer, but interviewing is a two-way street — you need to be assessing the job and the employer and the manager, and figuring out whether this is a position you want and would do well in. If you’re just focused on getting the job and not on whether it’s the right job for you, you’re in danger of ending up in a place where you’re struggling or miserable.

So before you interview, spend some time thinking about what you really want to know. When you imagine going to work at the job every day, what are the things that will most impact whether you’re happy with the work, with the culture, with the manager? Maybe it’s important to you to work in an informal culture with heavy collaboration. Maybe you care most about working somewhere with sane hours, where calls and texts on the weekend or in the evenings are rare. Maybe you’ve heard rumors about the stability of the funding for the position. Whatever’s important to you or that you’d want to have answered before you could know if you’d really want the job, think about asking it now.

Of course, you shouldn’t rely only on your interviewer’s answers about these things. You should also do due diligence by talking to people in your network who might have the inside scoop on the company’s culture or the manager you’d be working for, reading online reviews at places like Glassdoor, and talking to other people who work there.

.

Questions About Next Steps

10. “What’s your timeline for next steps?”

This is a basic logistics question, but it’s useful to ask because it gives you a benchmark for when you can expect to hear something back. Otherwise, in a few days you’re likely to start agonizing about whether you should have heard back about the job by now and what it means that you haven’t, and obsessively checking your phone to see if the employer has tried to make contact. It’s much better for your quality of life if you know that you’re not likely to hear anything for two weeks or four weeks or that the hiring manager is leaving the country for a month and nothing will happen until she’s back, or whatever the case might be.

Plus, asking this question makes it easy for you to check in with the employer if the timeline they give you comes and goes with no word. If they tell you that they plan to make a decision in two weeks and it’s been three weeks, you can reasonably email them and say something like, “I know you were hoping to make a decision around this time, so I wanted to check in and see if you have an updated timeline you can share. I’m really interested in the position and would love to talk more with you.”

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Order Alison Green’s book Ask a Manager: Clueless Colleagues, Lunch-Stealing Bosses, and the Rest of Your Life at Work here. Got a question for her? Email [email protected]. Her advice column appears here every Tuesday.

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65+ Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer & Land Top Jobs

Since you’re here, there’s one crucial fact you already know: you have to ask some questions after your interview if you want a shot at the job. 

 

But not just any old questions: the best questions to ask the interviewer not only give you the info you need, but also show you in a positive light. 

 

So, today we’ll prepare some great follow-up questions to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview, or even during the interview, to boost your chances of getting hired.  

 

Here’s what we’ll cover together:

 

  • What an interviewer expects when they ask, “Do you have any questions for me?”
  • How to prepare for the most common interview questions.
  • The most important questions to ask an interviewer.
  • A list of 65+ sample answers for you to tailor to your needs during an interview.

 

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

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One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

 

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

 

To feel more prepared for your interview, check:

  • How to Prepare for a Phone Interview
  • Hot to Prepare for a Zoom Interview
  • How to Answer What Are Your Weaknesses
  • How to Answer What Are Your Strengths
  • Situational Interview Questions and Answers
  • Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
  • What Are Illegal Interview Questions
  • What Should You Bring to an Interview
  • What Are Interview Questions for Managers
  • How to Follow Up After an Interview

 

1

Show Your Interest for the Position

 

Before you can ask the larger-picture questions, make sure that you have a competent understanding of everything your position entails.

 

Here are top questions you should absolutely ask an interviewer:

 

  1. What’s the next step in the interview/hiring process?
  2. How long does your recruitment process usually take?
  3. What are the primary responsibilities of the position?
  4. What would my day-to-day routine look like if I got the job?
  5. What can you tell me about the job apart from what was in the description?
  6. What would I be expected to accomplish in my first month/year on the job?
  7. What is the key to succeeding in this role?
  8. What does it look like during the busiest and toughest times for this role?
  9. Would I need to travel for the position?
  10. What kind of hours are expected for me to perform the role at maximum capacity?
  11. Is overtime expected and/or allowed?
  12. Could you tell me a little bit about the person I would report to directly?
  13. What is the onboarding process like for new hires?
  14. How many people will I be working with?
  15. If I were hired for the position, what would be the ideal starting date?
  16. Do you expect the responsibilities for this role to change in the near future?

 

If you’re clear on the ins and outs of your position and role, you can then move on to larger and more general questions to ask an interviewer.

 

Pro Tip: Avoid asking the interviewer yes/no questions. Just as they will save their yes/no questions mostly for the job application, your few questions posed should solicit a detailed response. Also, many of these answers can probably be found online.

 

These are the best questions for YOU to ask in an interview. But before you get to this point in your big meeting, make sure you’ve prepped good answers to interview questions they’ll ask you: Common Job Interview Questions and Best Answers

 

2

Demonstrate Interest in the Company

 

You’ve shown interest in the position, but you should also show the hiring manager or HR director that you are a team player who would be proud to be part of the company.

 

Here are some example questions to ask during an interview to demonstrate your interest in the company:

 

  1. What is the work culture like here?
  2. Can you tell me what the team is like?
  3. What model of reinforcement do you use to correct and instruct?
  4. How long does the average person keep this job?
  5. How does the position fit in relation to the rest of the organization?
  6. How does senior management view/interact with the person in this position?
  7. Is there a career path that someone in this position would be expected to follow?
  8. What are the prospects for growth?
  9. Could you go into more detail about the company’s culture?
  10. How would you describe the overall style of management at the company?
  11. What do you/employees like most about working here?
  12. How well do people with my background adjust to working here?
  13. What could you tell me about the company that isn’t widely known?
  14. What kind of leadership/management style do you promote in the company?
  15. How does the company take an idea from inception to completion?
  16. What would you say is the time spent on creating new products/projects?

 

These questions show you don’t only think about yourself and how you can get your work done, but rather they portray you as someone who cares about the livelihood and success of the company as a whole.

 

Pro Tip: How many questions to ask an interviewer? Make it at least two. One feels just marginally less irresponsible than asking none at all. Two or more make you appear prepared and pleasantly curious about your employment.

 

Interviews are not all about interview questions and answers. You need to think about your smile, feeling calm and confident, getting a good night’s sleep, and more. Read our guide: 50+ Successful Interview Tips, Advice & Guidelines

 

3

Reveal You’re More Impressive Than They Thought

 

Say you want to draw attention once more to that impressive degree you worked so hard to achieve. You told them on your resume, but how about asking something like this:

 

“I’m proud to have been granted my Bachelors in International Relations and Diplomacy, and I’d love to use what I’ve learned should I get the job. Do you see me being able to utilize these skills and knowledge in this role?”

 

How about that? You dropped it in there again, and you did it in a way that doesn’t come off like you just want a pat on the back.

 

Let’s look at some more good questions to ask in an interview to reveal that you’re more impressive than your resume and cover letter make you out to be:

 

  1. I wanted to know if you base your innovation process more on the Silicon Valley style “move fast and break things” or precision and artistry?
  2. What kind of processes and technology do you use to work collaboratively?
  3. How do you measure performance and success in this role?
  4. How is feedback given to employees?
  5. Could you tell me what it looks like to get a performance review?
  6. What would you consider top accomplishments for someone in this role over the next year?
  7. Are there any special projects that I would work on soon?
  8. How is information documented and shared across projects and departments?
  9. What types of people are the most successful here?
  10. What type of things would I need to achieve to advance within the position/company?
  11. Is there anything else I could tell you about myself that would help you with your decision?

 

Ask intelligent questions in an interview so you can leave after making one last strong impression.

 

Pro Tip: Avoid asking questions with possible answers that are too broad. If you have something broad to ask, split it down into multiple, bite-sized questions, and ask them one at a time.

 

Behavioral interview questions can be hard to answer, but the STAR method is the formula to answering them perfectly. Read this guide: STAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview Questions

 

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4

Ask About Challenges, Struggles & Competition

 

Asking about the company’s pain points and current struggles will allow you to start a conversation about how you can add value to the company by fixing them.

 

On top of that, inquiring about their competition and everyday challenges gives you insight into whether or not the position will be a good fit for you.

 

Here are several good interview questions to ask interviewers on the company’s current challenges, struggles, and competition:

 

  1. You mentioned that the team was struggling a bit to work together. How would my role help improve teamwork?
  2. May I ask why the last person left the job?
  3. What mistakes have people made in this position?
  4. Which competitors/products/targets are you most worried about?
  5.  How many people have left the company in the last year?
  6. What’s the biggest change/challenge the department/company/industry has had to face recently?
  7. What are the current focus areas for the company as a whole?
  8. What are the pain points you have to deal with day-to-day that the person in this role should remedy?

 

Asking questions of the company’s competition and pain points show that your mindset is already in the role and your head is in the game. This will easily impress them and make it easy to envision you in that position, as well.

 

Pro Tip: Don’t stick to only one topic when asking the interviewer multiple questions. Show that you’re interested in every aspect of the company, not a particular item that may signal that you have a bad experience or a thorn in your side.

 

If you ask about the company’s struggles and challenges, make sure you know best how you would answer one of the most important job interview questions interviewers ask: “Why Should We Hire You?” Best Answers (6 Proven Examples)

 

5

Inquire About Opportunities & Future

 

It’s great to ask an interviewer about the current responsibilities of your position or the day-to-day operations of the company.

 

However, make them see that you are a keeper by asking about growth and opportunities. Show you care about the company and the position by asking how they are going to develop or move forward.

 

Take a look at some sample questions to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview about the company’s opportunities and future:

 

  1. How do you reward employees for good work?
  2. Do you see the role expanding in the future?
  3. Do you have any on the job training?
  4. Are there opportunities for professional development?  If so, what do those look like?
  5. How many people have joined the company recently?
  6. Is the company growing?
  7. Where you would like the company to be in five years?
  8. What are the company’s goals for the future?
  9. How transparent is the company about operations/revenue/future plans?

 

When you show that you care about the future success of the company, they’ll be thrilled. This is one of the best ways toward how to succeed in an interview.

 

Pro Tip: And once again, the biggest no-no of all when they ask if you have any questions for them is to say, “No, nothing comes to mind. ” This shows a lack of interest and preparation. Always ask at least two questions to the interviewer!

 

Want to really know how to nail an interview? You’ve got to have a detailed response ready when they ask you to tell them about yourself. Read this: The Perfect Answer for Tell Me About Yourself [7 Examples]

 

6

Avoid Improper Questions & Wrap It Up

 

Let’s be honest—you need the money; that’s just about the biggest reason for wanting this job.

 

However, you shouldn’t make it so blatantly obvious. You do not want your hiring manager to think you’re only interested in compensation. Keep questions about salaries, promotions, benefits, perks, and other compensatory items out of your interview.

 

Also, we mentioned that asking about the work culture is a great way to show your interest in the company. However, if they have a web page dedicated to explaining their company culture, like IBM and Netflix do, then asking this will make you look like you couldn’t be bothered to do even minimal research or preparation.

 

Another common mistake is to inquire during the interview about how that interview went or if you got the job. Save this for the follow-up email, or, better yet, give them time to approach you with their decision. Finally, don’t exude impatience by asking when you’ll hear back from them.

 

These are all big no-nos.

 

When faced with the employer asking, “So, do you have any questions for me?” here are some of the worst final questions to ask interviewers:

 

  • So, how did I do in this interview?
  • Well, how ‘bout it? Did I get the job?
  • How often do you give out raises?
  • How often do you hand out bonuses?
  • What kind of perks and benefits can I expect?
  • When can I expect to hear back from you?
  • When do you plan on making someone an offer for the job?
  • What does this company actually do?
  • How soon can I request vacation time after you hire me?

 

Unlike what your grade school teachers may have taught you, there are stupid questions when it comes to interviews. Most of them are “me” questions, those where you put yourself before the interests of the company.

 

Pro Tip: Don’t ask too many questions, either. You don’t want to look like you didn’t do any research before the interview, and you shouldn’t overstay your welcome. Take hints. If they look like they’re losing interest, wrap it up!

 

There are many ways to know how to answer interview questions, but we’ll give you the best answers to interview questions about why you want to work there: Best Answers for the “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” Interview Question [+8 Examples]

 

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here’s what it may look like:

 

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

 

The interviewer asks, “Well, that’s about it. Do you have any questions for me?” You have to ask something to show that you’re prepared and that you give a damn.

 

Make sure you ask at least two good questions in an interview:

 

  • You’re Interested – Ask questions of the interviewer that show your interest and enthusiasm for the position, the company, and for any immediate tasks or special projects you may be given.
  • You’re Impressive – Ask the employer questions that are deep and meaningful, instead of simply-answered yes-no questions. Allow your questions to reiterate how impressive you are for the role. Know how to ask good questions.
  • You’re Insightful – Ask the interviewer questions about the company’s future and opportunities for the role, but also about current struggles, pain points, and challenges they face.

 

If you follow these steps, you’ll know how to end an interview. You’ll be sure to be the most impressive interviewee for miles. And once you’ve put the interview behind you, make sure you follow up with a thank-you note!

 

Do you have any questions on, well, questions to ask a potential employer? (You don’t have to say yes this time.) Give us a shout in the comments below and we will answer your question. Thanks for reading!

Great Questions to Ask During an Interview

You’ve got questions, your interviewer has answers. Take advantage!

You’re on your way to landing your next job, or your first job, and everything’s going well. After carefully applying to numerous positions, you’ve been contacted to schedule an interview. Woo-hoo! You begin to break into your happy dance.

That is, until you realize you’re only part-way down the path to landing your dream job. Now you have to knock the hiring manager’s socks off to stand out amongst the other job candidates during your interview.

According to a 2015 Candidate Behavior Study by CareerBuilder, 67 percent of the employers surveyed said that nearly half of all candidates who make it through the phone interview or initial screening are eliminated after a poor in-person interview.

But don’t sweat it. This won’t be you. You’ve got this. You researched all the most common interview questions you might be asked and you’re ready to answer any questions that come your way. And unlike many other job applicants, you also know to prepare some questions for your interviewers, too.

Below I’ve shared some questions to ask your interviewers that are sure to make them smile.

Why?

In my experience, many job applicants don’t ask questions that require some thought and show sincere curiosity and care. By asking the right questions during your job interview, you’ll stand apart from the competition. It can be difficult to know what will work and what won’t, so I’m sharing my complete list of the best questions to ask an interviewer.

Interview questions about your future manager or colleague:

  • What’s your favorite part about working here?
  • Why did you choose this career and industry?
  • What’s your leadership style? What’s my future manager’s leadership style?
  • What are some of your biggest worries or challenges these days? What keeps you up at night?
  • How did you get your start with your career? How long have you been with the company?
  • What has your career path looked like? Is there anything you’d do differently?
  • What have been some of your biggest challenges during your career? How did you, or do you, deal with them?
  • What do you feel has made you successful working here?
  • What is your preferred way of communication? Email, phone, in-person?

Interview questions about the job position:

  • What prompted you to hire for this job role?
  • How long has the position been open? (If applicable: Why has the position been open for so long?)
  • What was the individual like who previously held this position?
  • Are you looking to hire someone with the skills and experiences to do the job out of the gate, or are you open to hiring and training the right candidate for this position?
  • How are goals and objectives set for this job role?
  • If hired, what would be the top three priorities you’d like me to focus on in the coming year?
  • What traits does the perfect candidate for this job position possess?
  • What can you tell me about the position that isn’t listed in the job post?
  • What do you believe is the main reason someone could fail in this position?
  • I’ve worked with larger corporations in the past (or smaller companies, non-profits, etc. ). That being the case, do you think I’ll be successful with an organization such as yours?
  • What is the work schedule like? Is it flexible, set-in-stone, or are there options?
  • Do you have any reservations about my qualifications? (This is a gutsy one!)
  • What is a typical day, week, or month like for someone within this position?
  • What is the toughest time of the month or year for someone in this position?
  • How can I grow in this job role?
  • In an ideal world, what’s the anticipated start date for this position?
  • What’s the timeline for making a decision on this job position? When would be a good time for me to follow-up with you?

Interview questions about the team:

  • Can you tell me a bit about the team I would be working with?
  • What are the key positions and groups that I would be working with? What are the leadership or personality types of those people and groups?
  • What are the three biggest challenges your team faces when working with other groups within the organization? What do you do to minimize the challenges?
  • What is the single largest problem facing your team today?
  • What is the approval process for projects and tasks within the group?

Interview questions about the organization:

  • What types of individuals are successful here?
  • What’s your company culture like?
  • What type of performance review process does the organization have? How can I maximize the benefits of the process as an employee?
  • How and when is feedback provided to employees?
  • What is your reward and merit system like? Do you have a reward system based on performance? What types of rewards do you offer employees? What types of achievements or traits are rewarded?
  • What types of advancement opportunities are there within the group and company?
  • What type of information is shared with employees? Is revenue, profits, expenses, salary ranges, etc. shared?
  • How much exposure do we get to the top executives within the organization? Is there an open door policy within the organization?
  • What type of training or educational advancement does your organization offer or encourage?
  • What is the single largest problem facing the organization today?
  • What has been the top accomplishments of the organization over the past year?
  • How does your company handle the generational gap that’s evident in today’s workplace? How do you handle or work with generational differences, such as communication gaps?
  • What can you tell me about your organization’s plans for new services, products, or plans for growth?
  • What types of volunteer work and community service does the organization encourage?
  • How many employees have you hired in the past year? How many of them were experienced versus new hires?
  • What is your attrition rate for the organization?

Be authentic when asking and answering interview questions, and you’ll be great.

Preparing job interview questions to ask the interviewer is just as important as preparing to answer the questions they’ll ask you. Take your time and be thoughtful with your answers and questions. Use good judgment as to how many interview questions to ask, as well. If time feels like it’s flying by and the interviewer is engaged in your discussion, then keep asking questions until you feel it’s time to stop. It’s best to go in with at least three to five questions to ask in an interview and take it from there.

Click on the following link for more job interview advice.

Nervous about your next interview? Prepare with an expert interview coach from TopInterview today!

Recommended Reading:

  • 5 Tricky Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
  • How to Explain Being Fired in an Interview
  • Tips for Handling the Dreaded Salary Question During an Interview

Related Articles:

9 Good Questions to Ask in an Interview


Interviews aren’t just about giving the right answers—they’re about asking the right questions.


John Kador, Monster contributor



Ask insightful, thorough questions to your potential employer.

The landscape for job seekers today can be difficult. In other words, if you want a job today, the hard work starts when you prepare for the interview. That means not just nailing the interview questions you are asked, but actually knowing which questions to ask in an interview so that you leave a strong impression on hiring managers. After all, you’re reviewing them as much as they’re reviewing you. The right questions to ask during an interview are the ones that will not only elicit important information, but will also reflect positively on you as a candidate.

Here’s the thing: Rattling off a list of haphazard queries won’t get you much attention. You need to come up with good questions to ask in an interview, ones that make the people in the room sit up and take notice. Your questions must demonstrate that you did your homework on the job itself, have a set of values that are shared with the company, and understand where the industry is headed. Bonus: These questions could also help you avoid a bad boss before it’s too late.

Your goal is to make a statement in the form of a question. The statement is designed to:

  • Highlight your qualifications.
  • Demonstrate your confidence.
  • Reinforce your commitment.
  • Understand the employer’s challenges.
  • Make yourself accountable.
  • Advance your candidacy.

Questions are the best way to demonstrate that you understand the company’s challenges, emphasize how you can help the company meet them, and show your interest in the most unmistakable manner possible—by actually asking for the position.

So, what are the best questions to ask in an interview? Based on my interviews with dozens of recruiters, human resource professionals, and job coaches, here are nine of the most memorable questions to ask in an interview.

Good Interview Questions to Ask About the Company

  • What exactly does this company value the most, and how do you think my work for you will further these values?
  • Can you give me some examples of the most and least desirable aspects of the company’s culture?
  • How does this company define and measure success?

Good Interview Questions to Ask About the Job

  • What kinds of processes are in place to help me work collaboratively?
  • In what area could your team use a little polishing?
  • What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first 60 days?

Good Interview Questions to Ask the Interviewer

  • How long have you been with the company?
  • What do you enjoy most about working here?
  • What makes you good at your job?

Bonus Interview Questions to Ask

  • How long is the average tenure of an employee?
  • Where would the company like to be in five years?
  • Am I going to be a mentor or will I be mentored?
  • How will you judge my success? What will have happened six months from now that will demonstrate that I have met your expectations?
  • This job sounds like something I’d really like to do—is there a fit here?
  • Now that we’ve talked about my qualifications and the job, do you have any concerns about my being successful in this position?
  • What is the next step in the hiring process?
  • When can I expect to hear back?
  • By when do you hope to make someone an offer?
  • When is the anticipated starting date for this position?
  • Whom should I reach out to if I have any further questions?

Use these questions to ask during an interview as prototypes for questions based on the particulars of the position for which you are being considered. Make them your own and polish them until their shine reflects on you. Asking questions like these is not for the faint of heart but, then again, neither is succeeding in a competitive job market.

John Kador is the author of 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview (McGraw-Hill, 2010) and more than 10 books. His other career books are The Manager’s Book of Questions: 1001 Great Interview Questions for Hiring the Best Person and The Flawless Interview. Kador is a frequent speaker at job and college career fairs.

Prep Ahead of Time

Now that you know which questions to ask in an interview, you can turn the focus back on crafting your answers to common interview questions. Could you use a little more help with that? Create a Monster profile for free today. You’ll get career advice, job search tips, and interview insights sent directly to your inbox so you can learn how to put your best professional foot forward. We’ll help you craft answers to questions about your personality, work experience, and skill set so that you stand out from the crowd. A little preparation can take you far!


Top 50 Interview Questions to Ask

“Do you have any questions for me?” is one of the most popular interview questions that employers ask.

Employers generally view job applicants who don’t ask questions as disinterested.

So get ready for of your questions. You will benefit too.

Top reasons to ask questions at your next job interview:

⏩ To get a much more accurate picture of the job than the job description usually gives.

⏩ To learn more about the manager, your colleagues and the whole organization, to see if this looks like a place where you could work happily and successfully.

⏩ Impress your employer.

⏩ To understand how they respond to an economic and/or health crisis.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic ( COVID -19), you also want to understand how the employer handled the situation. How did they treat the workers? How did they survive and recover? For details on what to ask them (and what questions you may be asked), see in the Interview Questions for the Post-COVID World » .

In most cases, the best way to succeed in an interview is to turn it from a formal “interrogation” in the form of questions and answers in a business conversation .

Prepare in advance the questions you will be asking during the interview

Read the list below to get an idea of ​​the questions that are commonly asked and choose the ones that seem most important to you. Choose at least 10 good questions that are most important to you and related to opportunities. Write down your questions on a list that you will take with you to the interview.

Most likely you will not ask even half of the questions listed below, but they are a good starting point for developing your own, depending on what is most important to you.

The best way to avoid a job you’ll hate (which will result in you looking for a new job too early) is to learn as much as you can about the job, the organization, your boss, your colleagues, and the environment, before you 9You will accept a job offer. In some—usually smaller—organizations, the hiring manager will be the first person to interview you.

The best question to ask is: who will interview me and how does your recruitment process work?

Ask for the names and positions of the people who are interviewing you so you can research them before the interview. We hope they have LinkedIn profiles that you can browse to see if you find anything in common between them or with you to better understand the organization.

Research interviewers to find ways to build relationships with interviewers during interviews – same school or degree, same professional organization, etc.

Don’t be surprised if the first interview is remote . The first interview in many organizations is often telephone , video interview , or one-way video interview .

During this initial “screening” interview, employers ask questions to determine if you are a qualified candidate to be invited to an in-person interview. You may not have the opportunity to ask many questions, but have questions ready to show your interest in the organization and work.

Review the questions below to prepare the appropriate questions for personal interviews. Ask these questions to understand what to expect from their hiring process (and what is expected of you). Also ask these questions to find out if you really want to work for this employer.

Regardless of who the first person is, ask both the HR/recruiting and hiring manager these questions to learn important details about the job and compare the “facts” presented.

Questions to ask interviewers at the beginning of early interviews

At the beginning of an interview, understanding the people you are interviewing will help you give answers appropriate to that person’s role in your work life. You will also become a little more comfortable talking to the interviewer(s), hopefully turning the interview into a discussion rather than a series of questions and answers.

Ask these questions to learn about work

These questions are most relevant when you first meet with an interviewer. You must be introduced to each person interviewing you prior to the interview. Write down the person’s name and ask for their job title if it’s not listed.

Ideally, you should exchange business cards with each of the interviewers so that you have all the information you need, including their title and contact information.

Questions to the employer:

First, learn as much as you can about this job, which will help you better understand the organization and the job:

  • How long has this position been open?
  • Is this a new job?
  • Why is this position open?
  • Where would I work?
  • What is your onboarding process here?

During the coronavirus pandemic Also ask questions related to how the employer is coping with the situation, keeping employees safe and continuing to operate successfully.

Questions to ask a hiring manager

If the person interviewing you is a hiring manager, ask these questions to learn more about that part of the organization, how the organization works together, and about this person’s management style:

  • How many people report directly to you? OR How big is your organization?
  • Who is your boss?
  • When did you join this organization?
  • How would you describe your management style?
  • How do you provide feedback to employees?
  • Why are you successful here?
  • What do you like most about working here?
  • What makes your most successful employees successful?
  • Can you give an example of a successful employee?
  • What skills and experience will make a person successful in this job?
  • What is the biggest problem someone will face in this job in the first 6 months?

Ask these questions to learn about colleagues

vacancy?

  • How long have you been with this employer?
  • How long have you been at this job?
  • Are you glad you accepted this job? Are you happy to work here? Why?
  • What makes a person successful in this job?
  • Have you received any training here or attended any courses paid by this employer?
  • How long do people usually stay in this job? How many colleagues left? Where did they go?
  • Understanding more about the person will help you choose the next questions and also help you put their answers into perspective.

    Questions to ask interviewers during interviews main body interviews

    Once you understand who is interviewing you, you can move on to asking these questions as needed interview time.

    Questions to see if the job is right for you

    you this job.

    No matter who you ask these questions to, answering these questions will allow you to focus your responses to best position yourself as the “cure” for their “pain”:

    • day, week, month and/or year) at this job?
    • What would be my priorities for the first month? First quarter? First year?
    • What is the most difficult time (day, week, month or year) for a person at work? Why?
    • How long did the last employee stay at this job? What are they doing now?
    • What is the top priority for the person in this job?
    • What is the biggest problem for the person doing this job?
    • What is the key to success in this job? Why?
    • What are the most important skills of the person doing this job?
    • What is the main thing that a person does to succeed in this work?
    • How would you rate success in this job? By organization?
    • What is the biggest problem a person in this job faces every day (or weekly or monthly) ?
    • If someone has failed in this work, why did they fail? What mistakes did they make?
    • What do you expect from a person in this job in the first 30, 60 or 90 days?

    Answering these questions will help you better understand their concerns (to fine-tune your responses to their questions) and decide if you want to work there.

    Questions to learn about the job

    Ask questions to help you determine if you really enjoy the job and whether you can do it well.

    • Why is this position open? Is this a new position? Or is it a replacement for someone?
    • How long does a person usually stay in this job?
    • How many hours per week does the person in this position usually work? Overtime allowed or expected (technically more than 40 hours per week) ?
    • Do most employees check e-mail on weekends and stay in touch during holidays? Is it required for this job?
    • Do employees sometimes work from home or work remotely at this job? How many people work remotely? How many hours per week?
    • To whom does the person in this position report? What is the name of the chief’s position and where is he located?
    • What is the salary level for this job? What is the salary ranking for this position?
    • What can you tell me about this work that is not in the description?
    • What are your future plans for this job?
    • What are the growth prospects for the person in this job?
    • How long do people stay in this job?
    • How often is this position open?
    • To whom does the person in this position report?
    • How often are performance reviews provided? Do employees receive feedback from their supervisors?
    • Does this job require travel to meet with clients or suppliers or to represent this organization? If yes, where, how long, how far and how often?
    • Where is this job located?

    The questions above will also give you an idea of ​​the work environment in which you will be working, the “ corporate culture ”. This culture may expect people to work 50 hours a week (or more) or not.

    Ask about anything else in your preparation that you have questions about. Read Smart Google Research for successful job interviews to use Google before an interview.

    Good questions to ask at the end of the interview of the interview

    As the interview comes to an end, or as the interviewer announces that the interview is coming to an end, you should ask these closing questions.

    Tell the interviewer that you are very interested in this job and are enthusiastic about working for the organization. Then finish by asking these questions.

    Ask questions to “close the sale” or raise objections

    Use your judgment of the interviewer and the situation. Some interviewers will like this approach and the confidence you show by asking these questions, but others may not.

    Do what is comfortable and appropriate for you.

    • If you had to choose finalists for this position today, would I be included?

    OR

    • Based on our conversation today, do you think I can succeed in this position, or do you have problems?

    OR, the least difficult but still useful…

    • Do you have any more questions for me?

    These can be difficult questions, but after hearing their answers, you will be able to answer and overcome any objections they may have. If you don’t, and they have objections, then you’ll be one of the people who gets the rejection letter.

    If they answer these questions (and they may not!), these answers will give you an idea of ​​how well you did in the interview and perhaps clarify a question they might have about your qualifications to get the job done.

    Questions to ask so you know what’s going to happen NEXT

    ⏩ Now ask 5 essential “next step in the interview process” MUST ASK questions so you understand how their process works, when you can expect them to respond, what happens next, and who your contact person will be. If you don’t ask these questions, you won’t know when you’ll hear from them next or where they are in their process, which will be very stressful (and daunting) for you.

    If you don’t ask these questions, you also run the risk of running into the wrong person at the wrong time, looking either desperate or annoying.

    Summary of how to answer the question “Do you have any questions” during the interview

    Gather as much information as you can at the interview. Decide if you really want to work in this organization with these people. Then be prepared for the whole process to take too long. NEVER stop looking for a job and wait for a job offer. You are probably one of at least three other candidates for any job, and they may very well choose someone else – or not fill the job.

    13 difficult and unusual interview questions — Work.ua

    Do you think most interview questions are stupid? Many employers don’t feel that way.

    Research what you might be asked during a job search. Being prepared for anything is very important.

    Successful people from various fields spoke about their favorite interview questions and what they try to learn about candidates in this way. Work.ua publishes them and the authors’ comments about the meaning they put into these difficult questions. It is highly likely that you will meet them in one form or another.

    1. Why did you change X jobs in Y years?

    “This question helps me understand the full picture of a candidate’s professional development. What motivates him? Why, when motivated, does he jump from one job to another? What is the main reason for his dismissal?

    The answers show me their loyalty and reasoning process. Do they think they are limited by bosses and managers? Or do they get bored quickly?

    There is nothing wrong with a person changing jobs, it matters why they do it.” — Shama Kabani, founder and director of The Marketing Zen Group.

    2. If we were sitting here a year from now celebrating the company’s accomplishments, what credit would you give? What have we achieved together?

    “It is important for me in an interview that the candidate has studied us. I need to know that he is prepared and really understands the company and his role in it and really wants it.

    The candidate should have a strategic vision and should not only talk about what a good year it has been, but should respond with an eye to the future, seeing the big picture of the company and understanding why he wants to work here.” — Randy Garutt, CEO of Shake Shack.

    3. When were you most satisfied in your life?

    “With the exception of entry-level professionals, I expect candidates to have decent job skills and intelligence. My guess is that intelligent people with the right experience will quickly adapt and thrive in new environments when the company culture suits and inspires them. So I focus on their character and how well they fit into my organization.

    This question opens the door to a conversation where I can see the fit between life at my company and what this candidate needs to do their best. Can he be the best in my company or somewhere else.” — Dick Cross, founder and CEO of Cross Partnership.

    4. If you’re hired and you’re happy with the job and get the salary you’re asking for, what offers from other companies might be of interest to you?

    “I want to find out what motivates a candidate more – attachment to money or a job. Is it possible to buy it? You will be surprised by some of the answers,” Ilya Pozin, founder of Ciplex.

    5. Who is your role model and why?

    “The question may reveal how prone the candidate is to introspection in personal and professional development. I believe that this quality is closely related to success and ambition. In addition, it can show what qualities and actions the candidate is striving for.” — Clara Shih, co-founder and CEO of Hearsay Social.

    6.

    What do you dislike doing?

    “We tend to think that employees enjoy every aspect of their job. But I have found that this rarely happens. However, it takes a lot of perseverance to get an honest answer. I usually ask this question several times, in different ways, but the answer is always worth the effort. For example, I had a chance to interview a sales manager who said that he did not like meeting new people. But the biggest impression on me was made by the financial manager, who said that he did not like the routine and when someone checks his work. Next!” — Art Papas, founder and CEO of Bullhorn.

    7. Tell us about a project or achievement that you consider the most significant in your career?

    “I find that this question allows the conversation to develop and provides an opportunity for the candidate to present his or her best side in a non-standard way. In addition, other questions naturally arise here: what position did you take when you reached this result? How has this affected the growth of the company? Who else was involved in this, and how did this achievement affect the team? By discussing just this simple question, you can get a lot of additional information about a person, their work habits, and how they work with other people,” Deborah Sweeney, CEO of MyCorporation.

    8. What animal would you call your totem or what inspires you?

    “I asked my assistant during the interview what her favorite animal is. She said she loves ducks because they are cool on the surface, but scurry like crazy underwater to get their way. I think this is a terrific response and a perfect description for the position she was applying for. She has been with us for about a year and is doing great.” — Ryan Holmes, Hoot Suite CEO.

    9. We are constantly trying to work better, faster, smarter or at less cost. We use technology or improve processes. In other words, we are trying to do more for less. Tell us about a project or problem that you did better, faster, smarter, more efficiently, or less expensively?

    “Good candidates will have several answers to this question in hand. Awesome – they will talk about their decisions with enthusiasm. In 13 years, we have raised prices for our customers only once. Not because our costs have gone down, quite the opposite. We are able to maintain our prices because we are the best at what we do. Our team at all levels keeps their nose to the wind, looking for solutions to problems. Every new hire should do the same.” – Edward Wimmer, co-founder of RoadID

    10. Tell us about specific achievements in your previous position that will allow you to succeed in our company?

    “Past success is usually the best indicator of future achievement. If a candidate cannot give examples of successes in the past, he is unlikely to achieve more in our company. And in any other, too.” — Dave Lavinsky, founder of Guiding Metrics.

    11. So, what is your story?

    “This nonsensical question immediately puts the candidate on the defensive, because there is no right or wrong answer. But the way he carries himself is the answer.

    This question suggests a creative response. This is an invitation to play the game and an opportunity to see where the candidate is playing without fear of the wrong answer. The manner of the answer says a lot about the character, imagination and ingenuity of a person.

    In today’s world, stories help evoke the emotions that sell brands—a product or a person.

    The way he looks at me when I ask this question also tells me something about his ability to impress. If he takes a defensive position, looks stiff and pauses for more than a few seconds, this may indicate that the applicant is taking everything too literally and not thinking big. We need to think big in our business.” — Richard Faness, Managing Partner at Finn Partners.

    12. Do you have any questions for me?

    “I like to ask this question at the beginning of an interview. This shows how fast he thinks, and also allows you to assess the level of preparation and strategic thinking. I’ve often found that you can learn more about a candidate by the questions they ask than by the answers they give.” —Scot Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Exact Target.

    13. Tell us about a time when things didn’t turn out the way you wanted: your expectations weren’t met or the project didn’t work out.

    “This simple question can say a lot. Candidates can talk at length about how important it is to work in a team, but this does not mean that they know how to do it in practice. We need independent players who will see their position as a partnership.

    As a rule, there are three types of possible answers:

    1. accusations;
    2. self-deprecation;
    3. opportunities for growth.

    Our company needs motivated employees who are not afraid to take on several tasks at the same time and sometimes go beyond the job description. So I would like to hire players in the team with the right attitude and approach. If a candidate shifts responsibility, blames, speaks negatively about former colleagues, speaks from a position of law, or presents his role as an individual as opposed to a partnership, he is unlikely to join our team.

    But if they take responsibility and are passionate about applying the lessons they learned from past experiences, they will thrive in our meritocracy. ” — Tony Knopp, co-founder and CEO of Spotlight Ticket Management.


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    60 universal interview questions — Denis Kaplunov Studio

    Types of texts

    Author: Alena Putyatina

    221068

    Interviews are one of the most rewarding types of content.

    You select questions, send them to the hero, get answers, format them, and print! Of course, this is a superficial scheme for creating an interview. In fact, this is an independent and vibrant content format. And in the blog, it looks very advantageous against the background of the usual articles, guides and news.

    We have already prepared several materials on the topic of the interview. Now we will talk about the most important stage of preparing for an interview – the questions.

    Studying the hero, I want to ask him important and sharp questions at the same time. I want the interview to not be boring, banal and typical. I want the reader to swallow it, savoring every letter, every line.

    And at such moments, there is a lack of a selection of interview questions that can be adapted to an individual character.

    We prepared this selection for ourselves. But we decided to share it with you. Because templates always help in the work.

    1. Tell us about yourself and your business.
    2. How would you describe yourself in a few words?
    3. When did you decide to become _____ and why?
    4. What exactly led you to __________?
    5. What was the impetus for _________?
    6. What were the first steps?
    7. What are the pros and cons of working _______?
    8. Describe your biggest achievement and most impressive failure?
    9. Describe your three achievements?
    10. Are there moments when inspiration leaves you (lose faith in yourself, in your business)?
    11. Describe your work environment?
    12. Do you plan to change _______?
    13. What are your plans in _______?
    14. What is the secret to success in _____?
    15. How did you succeed in _______?
    16. What are your favorite books (movies, meals)?
    17. What would you never do in your life?
    18. Can you say that ______?
    19. On what basis do you ______?
    20. Did you come to this position yourself or ______?
    21. How have you changed since _______?
    22. Do you love your job (business, product, service, business)?
    23. What do you like to do in your free time?
    24. How to make _______?
    25. What advice can you give to newcomers (employees, readers)?
    26. When did you last _________?
    27. What are you interested in besides ______ and _______?
    28. How do you relax from ____?
    29. How did you get the idea to organize _______?
    30. Did you do _____ by yourself or with support?
    31. How often do you ________?
    32. What do you think _______ is?
    33. In your opinion, what qualities should _____ have?
    34. Are you being yourself while doing your job or is it a PR move?
    35. What is the proportion of luck and luck in your project?
    36. Do you have your own motto, mission?
    37. You have already achieved a lot in your profession, has popularity changed you?
    38. How much time do you devote to ______?
    39. Why do you think society (on the market, in a company, on forums, on the Internet) has formed such a point of view?
    40. What was the most difficult for you?
    41. Tell me step by step what needs to be done to _________?
    42. Where should a beginner start if he wants to follow in your footsteps?
    43. What professional advice can you give to those who are just starting to develop in _______?
    44. What are the possible pitfalls in your field?
    45. Is it difficult to do what brings you money? What does it cost you?
    46. How did you get your first success?
    47. How do others perceive your development (work, changes)?
    48. Where are you looking for your customers (customers, buyers, investors, partners)?
    49. No desire to throw everything to the “damn grandmother” and start something completely new?
    50. Tell me the TOP 5 most effective tactics (tips, tricks, tricks, secrets, ways) in _______?
    51. What is your opinion on this question: ___________?
    52. Form your attitude to life (business, family, colleagues, employees) in five words?
    53. What is the main expertise of a person of your level?
    54. Was it difficult to give up _______ (free time, stability, career growth)?
    55. Are you always this open (closed, aggressive, optimistic, quick)?
    56. How would you rate yourself as _______?
    57. Have you ever transgressed your principles in your professional activity?
    58. In any business there are turning points. What were yours?
    59. What prevents you from living, and what helps?
    60. What do you dream about?

    Of course, these questions are more personal than professional interviews. But in any case, each of them can lead to a chain of new ideas, which eventually turn into a full-fledged conversation script.

    Transform them, twist them, adapt them to the theme of the dialogue. The main thing is that these questions will become your material for work.

    Successful interview!

    Did you like it? Share with friends!

    Similar articles:

    66 Interesting Questions to Ask During an Interview • BUOM

    By the Indeed Editorial Team

    April 2, 2022

    During an interview, asking a few questions will help you better understand the job and show the potential employer what you’re interested in this work. Asking interesting questions can also spark conversations that could lead them to be more interested in hiring you. Knowing a few interesting questions to use during these interviews can make the process easier. In this article, we’ll explain why interesting questions can help you in an interview and showcase 66 fun interview questions you can use when applying for any job.

    Why ask interesting questions in an interview?

    Interviews give job seekers and employers the opportunity to learn more about each other and determine if they will work well together. Many interviews use standard questions about things like work ethic and hobbies to gauge a person’s personality and overall fit for the business. When you ask interesting questions during an interview, you showcase your personality and give the interviewer a better idea of ​​who you are. You show your potential employer your interests outside of your career, as well as your personality in general. These questions can:

    Facilitate interview conversations

    Facilitating job interviews with fun questions can help you and your employer feel more comfortable during the interview. For example, you can ask a stupid question to make them laugh and talk about something easy before discussing your work experience. This little conversation can help both parties understand each other better and better understand their personalities. It can also make it easier to talk about your life and experiences. For example, if you make a joke about your favorite superhero, it will be easier for you to talk about your educational experience, since you will feel better just before you talk about it.

    Build stronger personal bonds

    By asking interesting or even personal questions, you can strengthen the bond between you and your employer. For example, you can learn more about their morals and ethics by asking unexpected and interesting questions. You can also get their opinion on various topics and learn more about them as a person. Other questions can create a bond between you and a potential employer. This may include common interests in music or films, as well as common tastes. While such information is not employment related, it can make you more memorable to your employer.

    Tell us about your employer

    During the interview, you can use interesting questions to learn more about your employer. For example, asking them about their personal heroes will tell you what personality traits they value, such as ambition, honesty, or success. You can also evaluate how well they represent the company, its overall philosophy and culture. This may include questions about how well they fit into the company, what other employees are like, and what additional benefits the company provides. You can find out things that will make you want the job more, like why the company offers unlimited time off.

    Discuss more serious topics

    More serious topics may interest your potential employer and diversify your conversation in interesting ways. For example, you can ask them about current events. It can also help you learn more about the employer, and this information can help you better appreciate their personality and how they handle things in the office. You may even discover impressive moral and ethical qualities in yourself that make you more like the employer.

    66 interesting interview questions

    Ask any of these interesting questions during your next interview to find out more about your employer:

    Easy questions

    These first 15 questions remain fairly easy and can start a conversation:

    1. What , in the end will cause the Internet to crash?

    2. Do you think fate helped your business?

    3. If this business had a yacht, what would you name it?

    4. What item would you take with you when you are on the island?

    5. Can you tell me more about how this business started?

    6. Do you think artificial intelligence is dangerous?

    7. Which celebrity would you support in this business if you could?

    8. What is the funniest thing going on in this business?

    9. How does your business deal with natural disasters?

    10. How would you expand this office if you could?

    11. Do you think virtual reality jobs will ever become real?

    12. Who is your favorite musical hero and why?

    13. What is the best change this company has made?

    14. What rebrand would you do if money wasn’t an issue?

    15. What was the best purchase for your business?

    Moderate questions

    These questions reveal the nature of the employer and can tell you more about how their business works:

    1. What is your favorite compliment?

    2. Do you have a solution for the natural crisis?

    3. Is there a business mascot for your company?

    4. Are you interested in starting a competitive office sports team?

    5. How do you think marketing contributes to business success?

    6. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

    7. How do you delegate tasks to your team?

    8. Are you working at your dream job?

    9. Where would you live if you could?

    10. Will you ever fly into space?

    11. What is the best lesson you have ever learned?

    12. Who has most helped this company succeed?

    13. How do staff feel about your facilities?

    14. If you could choose what superpower would you have?

    15. What is your favorite food?

    16. What motivates you to succeed?

    17. What is the best description of your business?

    18. How would you use time travel?

    Job questions

    Asking these questions focuses on more specific business-related topics and can help you better understand the overall operation of a company:

    1. What personality traits thrive in this business?

    2. What character traits do you prefer among employees?

    3. What unexpected things do people not know about the company?

    4. How does the company overcome difficulties?

    5. What do you think companies can learn from films?

    6. Who is the best example of a leader?

    7. Are there after work activities?

    8. What sci-fi gadget would best serve this company?

    9. What is your PTO policy?

    10. Do you think that good morale is sustainable?

    11. What is the best way to make customers happy?

    12. Are there sharing options here?

    13. What do you think the industry will be like in 10 years?

    14. What is your ideal work environment?

    15. What is your personal measure of a job well done?

    16. Are there relaxation methods here?

    17. Is this company proud of its success?

    18. How would you improve the efficiency of your company?

    19. Do you use green or ecological processes?

    20. Are office friendships appropriate?

    21. What inspires you when you come to work?

    22. Is there a chance your office might move?

    23. Will this company enter other markets in the near future?

    24. Is this company open to sharing ideas?

    25. Can we brainstorm with other departments?

    26. Are you familiar with time management tools?

    27. What business models do you use for this company?

    28. Do you have pets? Are pets allowed here?

    29. If this business were to become international, where would it expand?

    30. What is the best way to improve business success?

    31. How do you encourage interagency communication?

    32. Are technological upgrades expected in the future?

    33. How important is customer loyalty?

    How to ask these interesting questions

    During an interview, follow these steps to find the best time to ask interesting questions:

    1.

    Understand the atmosphere of the room

    Before asking an interesting question, determine if it is appropriate. For example, laid-back and personable interviewers may appreciate more personal questions and open up to you more easily. Pay attention to everyone in the room, even those who are not talking to you. Try to choose questions that fit the people in the room and the topic of conversation. Pay attention to what questions they ask during the interview and use them as a basis for choosing interesting questions to ask when it’s your turn. Some companies may also allow you to ask your questions at the end of the interview.

    2. Wait for opening

    Print out a list detailing your questions and keep it handy during the interview. Include these questions with more focused questions about the job, such as your benefits and salary, and wait for a job opening to ask them. By asking questions at the right time, you help keep the conversation running smoothly and keep your employer happy by minimizing interruptions. For example, if an employer briefly discusses their focus on technology updates, ask about artificial intelligence or virtual reality. Proper timing of questions can make the conversation flow smoothly and can impress the interviewer with your wit and intelligence when you ask questions.

    3. Answer question

    When asking questions, be sure to prepare an answer for your employer well before you sit down for an interview. After they answer a question, they may want to know your answer to see if it’s compatible with their answer. A prepared answer will help you answer this question smoothly and impress. You can also consider their points of view in your response, highlighting where you agree and demonstrating your compatibility with the company. You can also use their responses to ask additional questions and expand this conversation into unique areas not found in most interviews.

    4. Engage in conversation

    These interesting questions can open up potential conversation avenues that you can continue during the interview. For example, discussing current political topics can help you learn more about an employer. It can also help you demonstrate your intelligence and understanding. Keep all conversations polite and light, focusing on important but not controversial ideas. Continually reinforce your beliefs and evaluate whether they are in line with your employers. When they match, make sure your employer is aware of this by discussing your reasoning in more detail and re-emphasizing your suitability for the business.

    5. Ask new questions whenever possible

    Try to keep asking new and interesting questions throughout the interview, bringing them up whenever appropriate. Some new questions can expand on current conversation topics and help your interview cover interesting topics. For example, your interviewer may briefly touch on volunteer opportunities at the company. You can then ask about related things like the company’s commitment to the environment and their energy efficiency options. When new questions come up, be sure to ask them and keep the conversation going.

    52 Questions You Should Ask in an Interview / Sudo Null IT News

    You probably already know that an interview is not just another stage in applying for a job, it is also your opportunity to find out if this job is right for you. To do this, it is important to ask some questions. What do you want to know about this position? About company? About the division? About the team? About corporate culture?

    Asking questions can be difficult. We know it. To make this task easier for you, we have provided a list of key interview questions. We definitely do not recommend asking them all. Pity the recruiter!

    When at the end of an interview or part of it you are asked: “So, do you have any questions for us?”, then be sure to use this list (try to recall) to make sure that you covered all the points of interest to you and showed your professionalism.


    // Work in general

    First, make sure that this is exactly what you want to do every day for the foreseeable future.

    1. What does a typical working day look like?

    2. What are the projects that need to be dealt with first?

    3. Can you show me some examples of projects I will be working on?

    4. What skills and experience are you looking for in an ideal candidate?

    5. What does it take to be truly successful in this position?

    6. What kinds of skills are missing from the team that you would like to acquire by hiring a new employee?

    7. What are the biggest challenges a person in this position will face?

    8. What level of budget will I be working with?

    9. Is this a new role in the company?

    10. Do you expect that the main responsibilities for this position will change in the next six months or a year?

    // Training and professional development

    Think of each new job not just as a job, but as the next step on the path to career (or any other) success.

    How will this position help you achieve it?

    11. How will I study?

    12. What training programs are available to your employees?

    13. What are the opportunities for career growth and professional development?

    14. Will I be able to represent the company at industry conferences?

    15. Where did the previous employee who previously held this position go?

    16. How did successful employees who previously held this position progress?

    // Evaluation of your work

    Make sure you understand what your goals will be and how your work will be evaluated.

    17. What are the most important things you think I will have to do in my first 30, 60 and 90 days of work?

    18. What results are expected from a person in this position during the first 12 months?

    19. Tell us about the system for evaluating the performance of employees in the company. How often does this process take place?

    20. How will my performance be measured?

    // Interviewer

    By asking questions to the interviewer, you show that you are interested in him as a person, and this is a great way to establish contact. Just give without compliments and flattery.

    21. How long have you been with this company?

    22. How has your role changed since then?

    23. What did you do before this job?

    24. Why did you join this company?

    25. What do you like most about working here?

    // Company as a whole

    You don’t just work for your boss or your department, you work for and with the entire company.

    26. I read about how the company was founded, but would be grateful if you could tell me more?

    27. How do you see this company in the next few years?

    28. What can you tell me about your new products and/or growth plans?

    29. What are the company’s current goals and how is it working to achieve them?

    30. What inspires you the most about the company’s future?

    // Team

    The people you work with on a day-to-day basis can really affect your performance, your desire to get up in the morning, and even your efficiency. Ask a few questions to determine if this is the right team for you.

    31. Can you tell me about the team I will be working with?

    32. Who will I work with most closely?

    33. To whom will I report directly?

    34. Can you tell me about my direct reports? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

    35. Do you plan to hire more people in this unit in the next six months?

    36. With which departments of the company will you interact most often?

    37. What are the general career prospects in this department?

    // Culture

    Is there a dress code in the office or not? Is there life outside the office? etc.

    Learn the subtle yet important details of corporate culture.

    38. What is the culture of the company in general and the team in particular? What are the main aspects that you can highlight?

    39. How would you describe the work environment here, is it usually team work or solo work?

    40. Can you tell me about your last team event?

    41. What is the company’s mission and values? (Note: make sure this information can’t be “googled” – if that’s the case, don’t ask this question.)

    42. What is your favorite office tradition?

    43. What do you usually do during your lunch break? (Of course, in addition to the lunch itself).

    44. Do company/team employees meet outside the office?

    45. Have you ever organized joint events with other companies or departments?

    46. What makes working here different from other places you have worked?

    47. How has the company changed since you joined?

    // Next Steps

    Make sure the interviewer has all the information they need before leaving. In order to find out how events will develop further, ask these questions.

    48. How do you think my qualifications correspond to this role?

    49. What are the next steps in the application process for this position?

    50. What else might I need?

    51. Can I answer any other questions you may have?

    P.S. 52. Guys, I came up with so many questions! When can I get started?

    Questions that might throw you off during an interview can be found here. And be ready!

    20 Unexpected Job Interview Questions

    1. Tell me about your biggest failure

    Let’s be clear, whatever you’re asked, don’t be defensive. The purpose of this question is to understand how you evaluate yourself, how self-critical, whether you are able to analyze mistakes and take into account bad experiences in new projects.

    The correct tactic will be an honest answer about the mistakes made and the conclusions that you have drawn. Just do not get carried away – we recommend talking about small mistakes. And even better about the ones you were able to fix.

    2. How long have you been looking for a job? Are there other offers that interest you?

    In this case, the recruiter is interested in what areas you are considering, what you value in employers’ offers.

    3. How long do you plan to work with us?

    This question allows the employer to understand your goals and how honest you are. Of course, you can answer neutrally, saying that first you have to work in the company and understand whether the team likes it, whether the tasks are interesting to solve.

    4. Why did you change so many jobs in a certain period of time?

    The recruiter is interested in how you developed professionally and what motivation works best for you.

    5. Our company is constantly optimizing business processes. And how did you optimize your project so that there are fewer costs and more results?

    Tell us about your specific experience, if this was not the case at your previous job – think about what improvements you made in your ordinary life.

    Photo: Unsplash

    6. Who was your worst boss?

    The interviewer is trying to find out if you keep negativity in yourself, if you are ready to discuss the shortcomings of the company you work for and if you are constructive.

    7. Do you like to compete? In what?

    Everything is simple here – the employer wants to understand how ambitious and purposeful you are, whether you have leadership qualities.

    8. Have you had to ask colleagues for help? Give an example.

    There is nothing wrong with having to turn to colleagues for help. On the contrary, it will show the recruiter that you are a team player. However, don’t get carried away and talk about examples where colleagues made a small contribution, rather than working on a project with you.

    9. What do you do best?

    In this case, the recruiter is checking your self-esteem. You can talk about a successfully implemented project, advanced training or receiving a corporate award.

    10. Show your Instagram page?

    This question touches on several points at once. The employer wants to know if the candidate is active on social networks, what his interests are and how he presents himself in the public space. Remember that in the future you will become the face of the company.

    Photo: Unsplash

    11. Where would you spend/what would you do if you had a million dollars?

    The recruiter wants to know if you will stay where you are if you don’t need money. The answer to this question gives an idea of ​​your motivation. It also assesses your ability to make financial plans, to approach problem solving systematically.

    12. What sports achievements are you proud of?

    This question is usually asked by employers who are interested in the leadership qualities of an employee. If you are successful in sports, it means that you are able to make great efforts in work and are ready for a competitive environment.

    13. Compare the moon and scrambled eggs (cat and dog, etc.)?

    Show imagination and non-standard approach, any answers are welcome. Let the recruiter appreciate your creativity!

    14. What would be your most pleasant professional compliment?

    The answer shows what is important to you in professional recognition.

    15. If you could not work, what would you do?

    The employer wants to assess your seriousness and motivation. A reply is welcome in which you say that you will continue to work, as professional development is important to you.

    16. What are five advantages of blue over red? And now vice versa!

    And again a question about creativity. And this question also shows whether you are ready to deal with stress by answering on the go.

    17. What was the last book you read? What is the main point?

    This is a general development question that reveals your desire to develop professionally. Do you find time to read at all, do you read professional literature.

    Photo: Unsplash

    18. A friend says they are disappointed in you and you are a bad friend. What do you say?

    With this tricky question, the recruiter evaluates your reaction to negative situations. We recommend that you answer neutrally, or better – with humor.

    19. What annoys you the most?

    The answer may tell the recruiter if you fit the corporate culture of the company, for example, you like to work alone, but you need a team player.