45 Questions to Ask in a Job Interview
Interviewing for a job is one of the most intimidating life events for the average adult. It's your chance to make a great first impression—and will make or break your chance of securing the position. For this reason, you must come well-prepared to show your stuff to your interviewer. Of course, you should be ready for the questions they will ask you but there is also one of the most often overlooked sections of the meeting—the questions you ask. This is typically the last part of the job interview, meaning it is your last chance to leave a lasting impression. Carefully crafted questions show you have researched the position and the company and sheds light on what values you prioritise as an employee.
With our guide, you can learn some of the best job interview questions to consider for yourself.
Job Responsibilities
One of the most important categories to consider inquiring about are the job responsibilities themselves. This information should also be outlined in the job description and typically run through in the early parts of the interview stages. But to ensure you have a strong understanding of the responsibilities of this position, consider one of the below questions.
1. What qualities in an employee lend well to this position?
2. What specific skills and experience are you looking for in a successful candidate?
3. What are the biggest challenges facing this role?
4. What types of things would you be evaluating me on at year-end?
5. Do you expect the primary responsibilities for this role to change within the next year?
6. Who would I report to directly?
7. Who would report directly to me?
Read More:
* How to use the STAR method to nail your job interview
* What are your strengths and weaknesses? Answering the question for job interviews
* 5 job interview questions that will help you understand a company's culture
* 9 common job interview questions you should be prepared to answer
Day-to-Day Routine
In addition to the broad goals and responsibilities of the position, it's a good idea to ask for more insight on the actual day-to-day tasks you would complete in this role. Here are a few questions to ask at an interview in this respect.
8. What are typical day-to-day tasks?
9. Do you have any examples of projects I may be working on?
10. What resources would be available to me in my day-to-day routine?
11. What are some of the main technologies the team frequently makes use of?
12. On average, what per cent of the workday is spent in meetings?
13. Are there any other daily tasks outside my outlined job duties I may be expected to perform?
Training and Professional Development
While there will undoubtedly be some training and onboarding process built-in, it's important to ask about the path ahead and your development as an employee. This includes everything from the initial training phases to ongoing learning opportunities.
14. What is your onboarding process like?
15. How will the training for this position set me up for success?
16. Are there any continued professional development opportunities?
17. Would I be permitted to attend industry conferences on behalf of the company?
18. What does the path for potential career advancement look like?
19. Where is the previous employee in this position moving on to?
20. How does the performance review process work?
Team Culture
While you need a firm understanding of the position's duties you may accept, it's also good to understand how the company operates at the cultural level. Here are some of the best job interview questions for understanding culture.
21. What is the company culture like?
22. What is the team culture like?
23. What team members would I work most closely with?
24. Does the work environment tend to be more collaborative or more independent?
25. What is your favourite tradition within the office?
26. Do co-workers ever hang out outside of the workplace?
27. How has the culture changed in recent years?
Compensation
While it may be awkward, compensation is one of the essential pieces to consider when potentially weighing a new position. Below are a few interview question options relating to payment and benefits.
28. What is the salary range for this position?
29. How negotiable is the salary figure?
30. What does the benefits package look like?
31. Is there an option to purchase additional PTO days? (Unless this time is unlimited)
32. Is there potential for bonuses?
33. How often are salaries and bonuses evaluated?
The Interviewer and the Company Overall
Asking specific questions about the interviewer and the overall company as a whole is one of the best ways to prove you came prepared. Try out these questions to make a great lasting impression on your interviewer.
34. What is your favourite part about working here?
35. How has your career trajectory lead you here?
36. How has your role changed since you began working for this company?
37. Where do you see the company going in the upcoming years?
38. Can you shed light on the company's growth plans?
39. What are you most excited about for the company's future?
40. Can you tell me more about the company's short and long-term goals?
Next Steps
Finally, asking about the next steps is a great way to close out the interview. Not only does it show you are engaged and excited, but it also provides a natural transition to wrap up the meeting.
41. What are the next steps in the interview process?
42. Are there any final questions about me?
43. Is there any other information I can provide that would help shed light on my qualifications for this role?
44. How many other candidates are you considering?
45. Do you have a general timeline for filling this position?
Try These Interview Questions Out on Your Next Job Interview
Of course, it's unrealistic to ask 45 interview questions within one sit-down meeting. But with this guide, you can hopefully begin to narrow down the types of questions that matter most to you—and that will leave a lasting impression of your preparedness for the job interview.