29 Impressive Interview Questions to Ask

You’ve learned how to write a resume and how to write a cover letter that impressed a recruiter enough to invite you for an interview. Now all that stands between you and the job you want is being able to answer the interviewers’ questions, right?

Not so fast.

Many jobseekers forget that a job interview isn’t just a chance for the hiring manager to decide whether you’re the right fit for the job; it’s also a chance for you to find out whether the company you’re interviewing with is the right fit for you. To gather that information, you are going to need to make a list of interview questions to ask the hiring manager.

Asking the right questions will help you decide whether you’d be happy in the role you are interviewing for and whether the company is a good fit for you. More importantly, asking questions about the role shows enthusiasm. If you have no questions to ask at the end of an interview, you could come off as disinterested.

In a competitive job market, you must take every opportunity to make yourself memorable and increase your perceived value in an interview. Find out what matters most to the hiring manager. When invited to ask questions, ASK THEM! Do your research and make those questions count.

I remember one situation in my recruitment career when a hiring manager interviewed a strong candidate for the position. The candidate had very relevant experience, a great track record, and she interviewed well. But when asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” she didn’t have any prepared.

The hiring manager decided not to pursue her application further. His reasoning was that while the interview may have provided her the information she needed about the job, she knew nothing of his expectations as a manager, the priorities of the role, or other critical information. And yet she had asked no questions.

I’d recommend having at least four or five prepared questions of your own to ask during the job interview. Some of the answers might be given to you during the course of the interview, so always make sure you have a few extra questions prepared.

Never ask about salary or benefits in the first interview—you should be asked about your salary expectations before your interview to ensure it’s not a waste of time for you and the company. Also, never ask basic questions about the company that could be answered just by looking at its website. Doing so will make it clear that you haven’t done your research.

Instead, impress the interviewer with some prepared questions that get to the heart of the role. Taking the time to prepare these questions serves four main purposes:

1. To learn more about the specific needs of the company and the hiring manager
2. To demonstrate that you’re truly interested in the position
3. To learn about the corporate culture and the company as a whole
4. To uncover and discuss any concerns the hiring manager might have about your candidacy

Learn to look beyond the job title and what you think that role should entail. Find out what specific problems the company is dealing with so that you can explain how you’ve handled similar problems in the past and how you can help the company solve the problems it’s dealing with.

Research the company extensively before the interview so that you can intelligently discuss its products and services. Remember, it’s not always the most qualified candidate who gets the job. Sometimes it goes to the most enthusiastic person.

Here are examples of interview questions to ask at your next interview:

Interview questions to ask about the job:

1. What does a typical day/week look like?
2. What are the main priorities of the role?
3. What are the skills and experiences an ideal candidate would have?
4. What are the challenges of the job?
5. Is this a new role or a replacement?

Interview questions to ask about their expectations:

1. What do you expect your new hire to achieve in the first three to six months on the job?
2. How will my performance be measured in this role?
3. What is the official performance review process like at your company?
4. What is the most important and pressing problem for this new person to tackle?
5. What could the person who gets this job do differently than their predecessor?

Interview questions to ask about the company and its culture:

1. I’ve read about your recent acquisition/merger/IPO. Can you tell me more about how it will impact the organisation
2. How would you describe the work environment here?
3. Can you discuss your take on the company’s corporate culture?
4. How would you describe the company’s values?

Interview questions to ask about training and professional development:

1. What training opportunities are available to your employees?
2. Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?
3. Why have employees previously in this role decided to move on?
4. Is there a formal process for advancement within the organisation?
5. What is the organisation’s policy on transfers to other divisions or other offices?
6. Are lateral or rotational job moves available?

Interview questions to ask about the team:

1. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
2. Can you share any information about my direct reports? What are their strengths? What are the team’s biggest challenges?
3. Which other teams/stakeholders does this team interact with most?

Interview questions to ask about the interviewer:

1. How long have you been with the company?
2. What do you enjoy the most/the least about working here?
3. Why did you decide to join this company?

Interview questions to ask about the next steps:

1. What is the next step in the interview process?
2. When are you hoping to fill this role?
3. Do you have any additional questions or concerns regarding my candidacy that I could address for you before I go

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for his or her time, express your interest, and determine the next steps in the hiring process.

Many jobseekers forget that a job interview isn’t just a chance for the hiring manager to decide whether you’re the right fit for the job; it’s also a chance for you to find out whether the company you’re interviewing with is the right fit for you. To gather that information, you are going to need to make a list of interview questions to ask the hiring manager.

Final Thoughts on Job Interviewing Success

In a competitive job market, you must take every opportunity to make yourself memorable and increase your perceived value in an interview. Find out what matters most to the hiring manager. When invited to ask questions, ASK THEM! Do your research and make those questions count.