“Do you have any questions for us?”
It’s one of the most dreaded questions in an interview, and all too often, people can’t come up with an answer and just thank the interviewers.
But that’s not the way to a job! Asking questions is important because it shows your curiosity, research, and professionalism. So let’s line up some questions for you to ask.
First, as I said last week, it’s best to avoid questions about how the role would benefit you, outside of the strictly professional realm: salary, bonuses, benefits, vacation and holidays, etc. You can, however, absolutely ask things related to professional growth, like onboarding new staff, future training opportunities, and pathways for career development and growth.
Here are some other good questions to get you started. You don’t have to ask all of these, of course, but think about what information you really want, and plan for a couple rounds of interviews for things you don’t get to the first time.
Job-related questions:
- What are your expectations for this role?
- What’s the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 3 months in this role?
- How would my performance be measured or assessed?
Team questions:
- What are the biggest challenges that I might face in this position?
- Do you expect my main responsibilities in this position to change in the next six months to a year?
- Who will I work with most closely? What other departments or units will I interact with?
Company questions:
- 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?
- How would you describe the company’s values?
Culture questions:
- How do you typically onboard employees?
- If it’s a remote position (or some of the team is remote): How do you work to build a team in a remote environment?
- What do new employees typically find surprising after they start?
- Is there anything that I should read before starting that would help me have a shared understanding with my colleagues?
- What’s your favorite office tradition? How do you celebrate birthdays here?
- What do you and the team usually do for lunch?
- What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked?
- How has the company changed since you joined?
Professional growth & development questions:
- What learning and development opportunities will I have in this role?
- Are there examples of a career path beginning with this position?
- How are promotions typically handled?
Closing questions:
- Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
- Is there anything I clarify for you about my qualifications?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
Of course, you should feel free to add your own questions. Some things they say during the interview will spark your curiosity, and there might be things you especially want to know. But let these questions get you started!
