I. Introduction
Have you ever gotten to the end of an interview and been at a loss when they ask if you have any questions? Me, too. But having a list of questions to ask at the end of an interview can help you know what to ask next time.
Did you know that asking follow-up questions at the end of an interview can help improve your chances of getting the job?
In fact, the questions you ask at the end of a job interview can be one of the most important parts of the interview.
But what should you ask?
Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.
If you pick out a handful of these questions to ask at the end of an interview, you’ll learn more about whether you’re a good fit for the job or if you should run far, far away.
Asking questions also gives interviewers a better idea about how serious you are about the job and how much you can bring to the company.
Win-Win!
If you stick around to the end of this post, you will also get…
1. A quick quiz to let you know if you’re ready for your interview
AND
2. A short video on why it’s important to ask questions at the end of the interview
Stay tuned while we will go over 23 brilliant questions to ask at the end of a job interview. If you want to nail your next interview, pick some of the questions below to ask.
Quick Quiz About Questions To Ask at the End of an Interview
Only hiring managers get all the questions right after the first try. Do you think you can beat those results?
Take our 10-question quiz to find out!
II. What Are the 23 Best Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview?
- What do you like most about working for this organization?
- What are the challenges when working for this organization?
- How would you describe your organization’s culture?
- What are the company values?
- How does your organization address challenges in this field?
- What are you most excited about in the company’s future?
- What does a typical day look like in this role?
- What are your expectations of me in this role?
- How do you help your staff grow professionally?
- How do you evaluate success in this role?
- How do you handle promotions?
- What should I accomplish in the first 90 days?
- Is this a new position? If not, why did the previous person leave?
- What have past employees done to succeed in this position?
- What do new employees typically find surprising after they start?
- What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
- Who do you think would be the ideal candidate, and how do I compare?
- Do you expect my responsibilities in this position to change within the year?
- Is there anyone else at the organization you’d like me to meet?
- Should I know anything before starting that would help me better understand my colleagues?
- Is there anything else I can do or provide to help you make your decision?
- How do you typically onboard employees?
- Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications or experience? Do you have any questions for me?
III. Why Asking Questions Is Important
Does asking questions at the end of a job interview sound intimidating? It doesn’t have to be. Plus, it’s one of the most essential parts of your interview.
Asking the top interview questions allows you to dig for more information and reveal more about yourself.
Nobody wants to waste time in a position that doesn’t fit them.
Having killer interview questions to ask employers can help you avoid surprises your new workplace might have in store… like unhappy employees. Plus, finding intelligent questions to ask in an interview can yield more information than common questions.
Fun Fact
More than 40% of employees thought about quitting their jobs at the start of 2021.
If your potential employer has a high turnover rate, the interviewer won’t admit they have a toxic or unwelcoming company culture.
Don’t be their next victim.
Having intelligent questions to ask in a job interview also helps you understand if it’s possible to grow and develop in this job.
If you’re ambitious, some jobs can leave you bored to tears and ready to leave in days. And a toxic company culture can greatly decrease your life happiness quotient.
Nobody wants that.
Asking questions at the end of an interview also allows you to find out more about a project you’d be involved in or further describe a responsibility not listed in the job description.
Even though it might be nerve-wracking at first to turn the tables and ask questions to the interviewer, it’s a simple way to show your enthusiasm for the role and the company as a whole and show you’re a good fit for the company.
If everyone walks away convinced the job is a good fit, you’re more likely to get the job. And if either of you realizes it’s not a good fit, you’ll both be happier for it.
I know that it can be tricky to think up questions on the spot, so that’s where this article comes in.
Expert Tip
You should be interviewing employers as much as they’re interviewing you. After all, this is a place where you’ll potentially spend a large amount of your life.
IV. How To Prepare
You obviously won’t have time to ask all these questions. But, asking more than one question makes you stand out and provides valuable info.
After you read this article, I suggest that you pick around ten top interview questions to ask based on how the conversation is going.
To help you decide which questions to ask potential employers, I’ve divided the questions into
- Organization questions
- Job-specific questions
- Team-related questions
- Wrap-up questions
Are you wondering how many questions to ask at the end of an interview? You can focus on one question from each topic or choose two to three unique interview questions to ask employers.
Choose questions that are:
- Relevant to you
- Relate to the specific job
- Put you in a positive light
- Give you information about how happy you’d be with the company
I adapt my top question to ask the interviewer based on the company and what information I’ve already unveiled during the job interview process.
Pro Tip
Have around ten questions ready to ask and decide on which to use based on how the interview is going. Write the questions down on your phone or notepad and give them a quick read as a refresher before the interview.
V. Organization Questions
Have you ever walked into a job and been blindsided by how awful it was to work there? You don’t have to be.
You might have read between the lines a little, but I’ve found that asking questions about the organization gives clues about whether I’m going to hate or love working there.
Here are some common interview questions you can ask to reveal if you’re going to love or loathe going to work every day. Plus, they can give your interviewer more insight about you as well.
1. What do you like most about working for this organization?
Are you hoping to build camaraderie between yourself and the interviewer? This question allows the interviewer to talk about themselves… which most people love to do.
I’ve found that asking a personal question breaks down the interview walls, so the interviewer becomes more open. This is a better question to ask than “Tell me about yourself.” If you’re lucky, they’ll describe some of the pros and cons of the environment and daily tasks.
If the interviewer hesitates or starts to choose their words very carefully, you’ll know there’s probably something they’re trying to hide.
Now you’re getting somewhere!
Want to know more about company culture? This is one of many killer interview questions to ask employers. By asking this question, you’ll get a broad overview of the company philosophy to help you understand if they prioritize employee satisfaction. You may also gain knowledge regarding policies and staff well-being.
Asking this top question to ask the interviewer is a little like getting to be a fly on the wall. You’ll gain valuable information and details that you wouldn’t learn unless you worked there.
Fun Fact
Billions of dollars are lost each year due to high turnover rates, with not even 60% of employees happy with the opportunities in the workplace.
2. What are the challenges when working for this organization?
Are you trying to learn more about the workplace and how progressive they are? This is another great question to ask at the end of an interview.
Asking about a company’s challenges can be very revealing. I’ve learned about lack of supplies, lack of training, and overtime expectations when asking this question.
If the job is demanding, your answers can help you shine, especially if you have skills that can help meet the challenge.
By inquiring about the challenges, you’re being realistic, acknowledging that things don’t always go as expected, and you’re prepared to face struggles.
Beware! If the employer says there aren’t any challenges, proceed with caution!
Pro Tip
Employers appreciate applicants showing humility and self-awareness. Waltzing in with too much confidence can be as off-putting as showing no confidence.
3. How would you describe your organization’s culture?
Almost nothing affects your work happiness as much as its culture, so include this in your top interview questions.
Is everyone bringing their dog to work and playing foosball during breaks? Does nobody leave their desks to talk ever? Has everyone been there for 20 years? Is everyone serious and grim, or do they have smiles on their faces? Are you secretly expected to work through lunch?
I worked for a company with a great culture for so long that this is a question that I will always ask. I once learned with this question that everyone loved the culture, but they regularly put in 12-hour days most days. While the atmosphere felt great, I wanted a life outside of work.
Working in a healthy environment is essential for both employee and company growth and success, so include this in your killer interview questions to ask employers.
4. What are the company values?
Do you enjoy hiding your true nature or having drastically clashing opinions from the people around you? Do you like arguing with your co-workers over value-related issues?
Chances are, you don’t, which is why this is one of my most common interview questions.
Learning that a company’s values don’t align with yours can help you avoid these scenarios, so use this as one of smart questions to ask a hiring manager in a job interview.
Meanwhile, working for a company whose values align with your own can allow you to feel better able to fulfill the company’s mission. I find I can be myself when I work for a company full of like-minded co-workers.
If you looked at the company’s mission statement ahead of time, and it was a little vague, asking this question can give you more insight into whether or not you will truly fit.
I’ve asked this question before when I felt that the company might be doing business that was a little underhanded. Once I asked this question, the interviewer divulged more of the internal workings of the company. Then, I was able to decide if I wanted to be connected to them or not. I did not.
Asking about the company’s values can also show that you’re proactive about wanting to gain the most out of this experience while contributing to the company.
5. How does your organization address challenges in this field?
Do you want to put your knowledge on display without sounding like a know-it-all? If so, this is the perfect question for you. It’s one of my go-to top questions to ask the interviewer.
Asking about company challenges shows that you’re already thinking about how your presence will improve the company against other similar businesses.
Undoubtedly, the interviewer will have an opinion about the company they work for, and you learn more about their personality in the process.
Do they want to improve? Are they stuck in an unrealistic 1999 mindset?
In asking about challenges, I’ve found some companies that aren’t willing to change from how they’ve always done things. This attitude can be deadly to a company.
The current business landscape dictates that companies have to be willing to change to survive.
You don’t want to be on a sinking ship.
If you’re up for a challenge, showing that you understand the competition and company challenges furthers your chances of being hired.
Pro Tip
Remember to factor in word choice and tone. You don’t want to sound too critical or like too much of a know-it-all.
6. What are you most excited about in the company’s future?
If you’re wanting to learn more about the company’s ambitions and show your intention to stay there for a while, this is the perfect question to ask as part of your questions to ask at the end of an interview.
This question says that you want to stay and grow.
It also helps you confirm if the organization invests in its staff.
Do you want a dead-end job? Of course not. And this is the question that can help you determine if this job will lead to a solid career path or not.
Knowing the future of the company helps you learn if their professional growth goals will align with your own goals.
Asking about the future also shows good foresight and that you like staying one step ahead of everything.
Helpful Tip
Asking questions about the company’s future sets you as a high achiever and puts your willingness to reach positive outcomes in the spotlight.
VI. Job-Specific Questions
What boring or exciting things will you be doing at this job?
Keep reading to learn more about the specific job-related questions to ask the interviewer.
7. What does a typical day look like in this role?
Are you curious about what you’d actually be doing at this job? Now is the perfect time to ask.
Not every job description gives you a good idea of what you’ll really be doing. They’re often full of buzzwords that don’t give a true idea of what you’ll be doing.
Is the job the same every day? Are there seasonal responsibilities?
The answer to this question can also help you understand if you’ll work as part of a team, individually, or have further job responsibilities.
Once you know what a typical day looks like, you can decide if this job is right for you.
8. What are your expectations of me in this role?
Yes, this question is similar to the previous question. However, this inquiry goes a little deeper and makes this one of the most intelligent questions to ask in an interview.
Asking about expectations gives more insight into what the employer wants and what they don’t want for the role.
This question is likely to reveal more about rules and things they want that maybe your predecessor didn’t perform. I’ve found that it has kept me from overstepping my boundaries, too.
Finding out the answer to this question will also make your responsibilities more specific.
Pro Advice
Asking about expectations shows that you are interested in the job and are ready to start.
9. How do you help your staff grow professionally?
Another common interview question is do you have a growth mindset? If you do, you’ll want to know that the company does, too.
I like working for a company that is concerned with professional development. Otherwise, it indicates that they don’t care much about becoming the best they can be. I don’t want to work for a company that’s going to fail for lack of knowledge.
Do you want to work for a company that takes pride in learning more and becoming better? If so, ask what sort of professional development opportunities they provide.
Asking about professional development also shows you plan to be progressive. Plus, most employers want a candidate who thinks long-term.
10. How do you evaluate success in this role?
Are you concerned about whether or not you could succeed in their work environment? Discovering what would make you successful in this position can uncover what types of people succeed in their work environment, which makes this one of the most intelligent questions to ask in an interview.
Additionally, knowing what the higher-ups look for in successful employees shows you have an interest in staying and improving with the organization. If you want to succeed, the company will also succeed.
Asking this question increases your odds of getting hired and shows how much or how little the business invests in bettering performance.
11. How do you handle promotions?
If you don’t work there yet, why would you ask about promotions already? Well, there’s a good reason.
Asking about promotions shows your enthusiasm and drive, which is important in many types of jobs like sales jobs.
A question about promotions is good for recent graduates or those new to the field who are starting at the lowest end of the pecking order.
Despite your role at the company, asking this question shows that you intend to do well and are determined to succeed.
It also shows that you’re trying to get a job that promotes internally, making this one of the most powerful questions to ask during an interview to see where you may end up in the company itself.
While you might feel vulnerable asking this question, it shows that you’re confident enough to address the issue head-on.
Pro Tip
Asking about promotions indicates that you plan to provide high-quality work and plan to be there for several years.
12. What should I accomplish in the first 90 days?
A question about what they want you to do shows you’re ready to hit the ground running, making this one of the top questions to ask at the end of an interview. It shows that you’re hard-working and want to tackle projects immediately.
Knowing what you’ll be doing in the first 90 days can help you understand the job better, too.
This question can also be great if you think the company created a job without knowing what to do with you yet. If their answers are vague, it can be a big red flag.
Do they plan to make things up as you go along? That might be fun, but are you up to the challenge?
13. Is this a new position? If not, why did the previous person leave?
Believe it or not, asking about your predecessor isn’t an unusual question and can be one of the best killer interview questions to ask employers.
Was the company unhappy with your predecessor? If so, you can use this opportunity to your advantage. Explain how you’re different.
Or was your predecessor unhappy with the company? If it’s clear that the company has high turnover rates, ask how they are trying to reduce it.
I once learned my predecessor had left after 12 years to open a small gift shop in her hometown. She was happy enough to stay more than a decade and only left when her elderly parents needed care. I knew then that that was a company I’d like.
Whatever you find, you can use it to determine if you want to work there.
Tip of the Day
Understanding why the previous employee left or why they were let go can help you understand what the employer expects or whether working for the company is a good idea.
14. What have past employees done to succeed in this position?
On one hand, this question uncovers company expectations. On the other hand, it tells you if the job might be too difficult for your skill set, making it a top interview question.
When you inquire about success, it indicates you want to make a difference in the company and aim high. Asking this question establishes what you’re up against and that you’re tenacious.
Most managers (even if they try not to) will compare you to the previous employee.
There may be things about this role you may never see in the job description. I once found myself up against the ghost of a former employee who used to put on potlucks. That certainly wasn’t in the job description, but they expected it from me.
If you don’t fill the shoes that your predecessor left behind, your performance review will suffer. It’s hard to know what they expect of you if you don’t ask.
Pro Tip
Approach these discussions positively. You don’t want to sound skeptical. Show that you’re eager to know how employees feel about working there and that you want to dedicate years with their team.
15. What do new employees typically find surprising after they start?
Not only is this a surprising question to ask at the end of an interview, but it’s also likely to get some juicy answers.
You might end up loosening up the interviewer to say things they wouldn’t otherwise.
Finding out what is surprising could reveal more about the personality of the place. It might also uncover how relaxed or tense the atmosphere is.
If the surprises are all on the negative side rather than the positive side, you’ll find out the interviewer’s overall attitude toward the company.
You can gain valuable information before starting this position and prepare for surprises.
16. What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
I love asking this question when I feel like I have a skill that the company is missing. But it’s also a question I like to ask when I’m not sure if my skillset meets what they’re wanting.
I once applied for a housing coordinator position only to find that they also wanted someone who could help clients with minor home repairs. Since I am not a handy person, I let them know, and they hired someone who did have that skill set. Thank goodness I asked this question!
You need technical and soft skills to excel in any workplace environment. Your qualifications are just as important as soft skills or how you interact with others. It helps determine whether you’d work well with the team and management.
Knowing an example of skills they’re looking for can help you know if you’re right for the position. And if you don’t have one of the skills but really want the job, you can indicate what you’ll do to acquire that skill. If you’re a good fit otherwise, being willing to learn might keep you in the running for the position.
17. Who do you think would be the ideal candidate, and how do I compare?
This inquiry is one of the most powerful questions to ask during an interview because it’s so bold.
I’ve asked this question and been able to explain more about my skills to indicate that I had experience in areas they thought I didn’t. I just didn’t have them on my resume.
And if you don’t have the experience they’re looking for, it gives you a chance to express how driven you are to put in the work to succeed and match their level of productivity. Some people can hit the ground running better than others. If you’re that type, let them know.
Asking how you compare to their idea or even other candidates allows you to form a link between what they want and your established skills.
18. Do you expect my responsibilities in this position to change within the year?
I’ve asked this question when it looked like there might be big changes in the company soon. Sometimes, asking reveals whether they expect this position to be a long-term one or not.
Knowing about big changes coming up in the company can be either good or bad. So, it’s always a good idea to find out the gossip before it becomes reality, making it a top question to ask the interviewer.
Asking the company leader about new initiatives or changes will give you more accurate information. However, even rumors of change are good to know.
You’ll hopefully find out if they have plans for growth and development with additional funds, mergers, or a change in leadership.
VII. Team-Related Questions
I always want to know about the people at the company as much as about the company itself. Below are a few potential questions you could ask about your co-workers.
19. Is there anyone else at the organization you’d like me to meet?
I like asking to meet other team members so I can get a real-life feel for the company’s personality. It also helps understand the cohesiveness of the workplace.
If the interviewer declines your request, it might be a concern. They may be trying to hide discontent. If they won’t let you meet others, try to find out why you can’t.
This question also helps to know if you’ll mainly be working alone or with several other people. It can give you a better idea of company structure and expectations.
You also have the chance to make an excellent first impression and be remembered more by more people. Teammates might weigh in on the decision by mentioning that they liked you as a candidate.
20. Should I know anything before starting that would help me better understand my colleagues?
I often visit a company’s LinkedIn page before interviewing. Doing so can sometimes leave me wanting to know more about how my potential colleagues are in person. Are they intimidating in real life or down-to-earth? Are they driven or laid-back?
This question also signals your eagerness to understand the culture and values of your future colleagues. It can cause the interviewer to think about how you’d fit in with the group.You can gain a better idea of how much the organization values teamwork and collaboration, too.
VIII. Wrap-Up Questions
I always ask a wrap-up question to make sure there’s nothing I missed. They’re some of the best interview questionsyou can bring up to help your job interview end on a positive, memorable note. Thus, they’re questions to ask at the end of every job interview.
21. Is there anything else I can do or provide to help you make your decision?
Go ahead and ask this bold question. You have everything to gain from it. It shows that you’re ready to go, confident, and enthusiastic.
I ask this question when I want the peace of mind of knowing I did everything I could during the interview. It helps me not second-guess myself afterward.
The answer can give you a chance to address anything you haven’t covered yet, finishing the interview nicely.
It also allows the interviewer to bring up any lingering questions they might want to discuss.
22. How do you typically onboard employees?
I’ve been blindsided in a new job with no information before. Luckily, I was able to create a job from nothing because I’d done it before. However, it’s nice to have a little more guidance.
Every job should provide you with some level of training. If your predecessor is already gone, there may not be anyone who knows the job to teach you. Knowing this can give you a better picture of what to expect on the first day.
If you’re applying for a remote position, jumping into a job with no training can be especially challenging. If they have good communication and project management software, it may be easier than figuring out what to do if they don’t, so be sure to include this top question to ask the interviewer.
23. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications or experience? Do you have any questions for me?
I know that this question sounds like it could result in an answer that you don’t want. But trust me that you want to know if they have doubts that you can do the job. It can give you a chance to divulge information that’s not in your resume.
The extra details you provide may sway the interviewer more in your favor, making this one of the most intelligent questions to ask in an interview.
If you’re truly not a good fit, discussing the reasons can keep you from having false hope about getting the job. Plus, you’ll understand more about what is standing in the way of getting similar jobs elsewhere.
If you find out you’re missing a skill, it might be something that you can learn through a training course before attempting to apply for a similar job again. Then, your resume will be stronger than before.
If you think that you’re still a good fit, you can highlight your strengths and reiterate that you’re not afraid to improve any weaknesses.
Expert Advice
Asking about any doubts they have about your qualification for the job gives you one last chance to elaborate on anything. You can gauge how you’re doing, and whether you’re in good shape or need to redo any confusing aspect of the interview.
IX. Questions To Avoid
Just as there are questions to ask after an interview, there are questions to avoid during an interview:
- Questions about salary
- Questions about benefits
- Questions about relocation
- Questions that are cocky or arrogant
Of course, the whole reason you’re working is to earn money. However, it’s a good idea to avoid asking questions regarding salary and benefits too early in the interview process. If you ask before they know much about you or before they’ve offered the job, you won’t have a chance to negotiate. Perhaps a safer question is about the salary range.
You can also find a lot of this information before the interview online on job boards or company reviews, so research the job and company before your job interview.
It’s a good idea not to ask about benefits until after they’ve agreed to hire you. You might put a damper on their view of you.
You should also avoid asking about relocation arrangements. You don’t have the job yet.
Other questions to avoid are ones that show cockiness or arrogance. For example, don’t ask “So, when do I start?” Assuming you have the job already can be a mark against you.
Pro Tip
Employers don’t appreciate inquiries regarding starting salary, health insurance plans, and paid leave policies.
X. Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned from being on both sides of the interview process.
- Avoid questions that only require a yes or no answer. You want to initiate a conversation with the interviewer to get the most from a question as possible.
- Don’t ask questions that you can find online. If you can find the answer on their website or through a quick Google search, they will think you didn’t bother to find out about their company before the interview.
- Remember that you can ask questions during the interview to make it more like a conversation than an interrogation. The questions you ask should come naturally into the interview. By doing so, you gain useful information that you could use later.
- Personalize your questions and make them specifically for you. Avoid generic questions that won’t make you stand out from the other candidates.
- The interview shouldn’t be the end of the interview. Always follow up with an email thanking the interviewer for their time. The end of an interview is your chance to mention anything you forgot or reiterate how well you’d fit in.
- Be careful how you ask questions. Phrasing is important because if the manager starts to visualize you in the role, they’ll have more difficulty picturing others in the position.
The Bottom Line
Here are a few quick facts that summarize this article and highlight the main points to keep in mind when attending your interview.
- Asking questions shows how well you fit the company: Questions allow you to demonstrate that you’re the best person for the job and prove that you’re a good fit for the company overall. Plus, you can find out if the culture is right for you or not.
- Asking questions shows your interest in the company: Questions are intimidating at first, but they’re a simple way to show your interest in the role and the organization.
- Respect the interviewer’s time: Asking too many questions can be as bad as asking none at all. Respect the interviewer’s time. They’re happy to answer questions, but you can always learn more once you have the job.
- Choose questions that fit your situation: Choose your questions wisely. Most importantly, don’t ask anything you feel would put you in a compromising position.
- Ask questions on a variety of topics: Ask questions regarding the organization, job, and team so you get a well-rounded understanding of all the company elements.
- Know which questions to avoid: Avoid discussing benefits like the salary, benefits, or relocation budgets until they may you an offer. Do your research in advance!
- Use the right approach: Phrase the questions well, be confident (but not too confident), and approach the interview politely. With this knowledge in mind, you’ll be sure to nail your interview!
- Always ask a wrap-up question: The final interview questions to ask employers are the ones that make your interview memorable. Plus, it can give you one last chance to explain something they didn’t know about you.
- Always send a follow-up thank-you email after an interview: If you forgot a question you want to ask, you can always ask it in the email.
Final Thoughts
That’s it! Now that you’re armed with good interview questions to ask employers, you’re more likely to get the job that’s right for you. Once you know what type of questions to ask at the end of an interview, you can find the perfect ones for each occasion. They can also inspire you to make creative questions to ask in an interview. You might come up with fun questions to ask at the end of an interview on your own.
Hopefully, you learned some new killer questions to ask at the end of an interview after checking out this article. And if you have a friend going through the interview process, be sure to share this article with them.
Have you asked these questions before in an interview? Or, if you work in recruiting, have applicants asked these questions? How have they worked? Did they get you hired? Are you currently searching for a job? Do you think you’ll apply what you’ve learned here?
If you have other tips and tricks regarding interviews and how to end them on a positive note, let me know. I’d love to hear from you! And if you want even more tips for positive experiences when looking for a new job, check out more of the articles on this site.
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