23 Questions to Ask at Your Job Interview

Wondering what questions to ask at your job interview? In the traditional job interview setup, candidates are often solely focused on making a good impression, answering basic questions, and the dreaded explanation of where they see themselves in five years. However, modern job interviews are evolving into a more balanced exchange where both parties evaluate the potential fit. 

One effective strategy for candidates is to flip the script and interview the interviewer. While it might seem unusual, such an approach will help you build rapport, exude confidence, and leave a lasting impression even if you don’t get chosen for the position. 

Hence, in this article, we will explore why it’s important to interview the interviewer, how to prepare your questions and share 23 examples of effective questions to ask. If you play your cards right, you will be able to fully own your interview and leverage your strengths to get the right information (and also the job offer). 

Why is it Important to Ask the Interviewer Questions? 

If the concept itself sounds inappropriate and awkward, that’s because work culture has dictated candidate gratitude and obedience for a long time. This is rooted in social norms as well as the history of the American workforce.

Thankfully, this has changed. It’s not only okay, but also essential, to bring your own questions to your job interview. Here are some key advantages you’ll gain from interviewing your interviewer.

Understand Company Culture

One of the primary reasons to interview the interviewer is to gain a deeper understanding of the company culture. It will impact the quality of your day-to-day work life and overall job satisfaction. 

The best part about this is that the interviewer won’t be able to hide things, and they’ll eventually slip up. At the same time, it would be best not to push things too hard and instead be subtle, while providing argumentation to explain why you’re asking in the first place. 

Assess Whether the Job Fits 

Another crucial aspect is assessing whether the role aligns with your career goals and personal values. There’s only so much a job ad can reveal about the position—most of the time, it only lets you know if you should even hope of getting the position. 

Interviewing the interviewer allows you to gather detailed information about the responsibilities, expectations, and opportunities for growth within the company. Questions like “Can you describe a typical career path for someone in this role?” or “What are the key challenges this position will face?” can help you determine if the job is a good match for your aspirations.

Build Rapport

Establishing a two-way conversation during the interview process helps build rapport with your potential employer. It shows that you are genuinely interested in the company and proactive about finding the best fit for both parties, even if it’s just an informational interview. 

Contrastingly, candidates who just sit there, nod their heads, and obediently answer questions will get nothing more than a handshake and an “Err, we’ll let you know.” Being proactive and willing to probe, on the other hand, will let the interviewer know you’re a problem-solver and able to prepare for tasks accordingly. 

Preparing Your Questions

Obviously, you wouldn’t want to overwhelm the interviewer with irrelevant or borderline pushy questions. Instead, each inquiry should have a specific goal in mind—making you seem a certain way (dedicated, curious, concerned) or getting a specific piece of information out of it. Usually, preparing what you want to ask can help with: 

Researching the Company

Preparation is key when it comes to interviewing the interviewer. Start by researching the company thoroughly. Look into the company’s mission, values, recent news, and industry standing. Utilize resources like the company’s website, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor to gather insights and pinpoint any red flags. 

Reading employee reviews can also provide valuable information about the company’s work culture and management style. Likewise, the contents of your questions will showcase your critical thinking skills, so be careful with your selection. 

Aligning Questions with Your Career Goals

Your questions should reflect your career aspirations and what you hope to achieve in the role. Identify what you need to know to determine if the position aligns with your long-term goals. 

For instance, if professional growth is a priority, ask about the company’s career development programs and opportunities for advancement. 

If work-life balance is crucial, inquire about flexible working arrangements and the company’s approach to managing workloads. Tailoring your questions to your specific needs ensures you gather relevant information and come off as a person who knows what they want and isn’t complicating things.

Creating a Balanced List of Questions

It’s important to create a balanced list of questions that cover various aspects of the job and the company. 

Mix general questions about the company’s direction with specific questions about the role and team dynamics. For example, you might ask, “What are the company’s long-term goals?” followed by, “Can you describe the team I would be working with?” This approach ensures you get a comprehensive understanding of the company and the position. Having a mix of questions also keeps the conversation engaging and shows that you have done your homework.

Conversely, focusing too much on the financial side of things or your position can also backfire. Don’t reveal your hand too early.

23 Questions to Ask at Your Job Interview, Sorted By Category

Once you’ve outlined your areas of interest and picked a direction to take your questions in, it’s time to categorize them. Basically, you want to be prepared for any situation, and not just focus on understanding your compensation properly. 

Culture and Environment

Understanding the company culture is crucial for assessing your fit within the organization. Consider asking:

• What are the company’s core values?
• Can you describe the company culture?
• How does the team typically collaborate?
• What does a typical day look like in this role?
• How does the company support professional development?
• What is the management style here?
• How does the company handle conflict resolution?

Performance and Expectations

Clarifying performance metrics and job expectations can help you understand what success looks like in the role:

• What are the key performance indicators for this role?
• How is success measured for this position?
• What are the short-term and long-term goals for this role?
• How frequently are performance reviews conducted?
• What metrics are used to evaluate performance?
• What are the expectations for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• What are the top priorities for someone in this position?
• How is feedback typically given to employees?
• What is the process for setting individual goals?

Professional Development

Opportunities for growth and development are important for long-term career satisfaction, while also letting you come off as a person who’s invested in bettering themselves. Ask questions like:

• Are there opportunities to attend industry conferences or workshops?
• How does the company help employees stay current with industry trends and skills?
• What career advancement opportunities are available within the company?
• How often do employees receive performance feedback and guidance for development?
• Are there any internal training programs or resources available?
• How does the company encourage cross-departmental learning and collaboration?
• What opportunities are there for taking on new challenges or projects?

Conclusion

Interviewing the interviewer is a strategic approach that empowers you to gather critical information about the company and the role you are considering. 

Additionally, interpreting the interviewer’s responses can provide valuable insights into the company’s culture, values, and potential challenges. Ultimately, this approach helps you make a well-informed decision, ensuring that your next career move aligns with your professional goals and personal values. 

Embrace this technique to enhance your job search experience and find the best fit for your future. Sign up for Lensa and make your move for your next job or role today!