Advice

Staffing Solutions questions article

Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer

As your job interview closes, one of the final questions your interviewer may ask is, “What can I answer for you?”. They will expect you to have some questions!

Not asking any questions could make you seem unprepared or disinterested, so take the time to have some questions of your own ready to ask the hiring manager.

Remember, you aren’t simply trying to get this job — you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.

Here’s a list of suggested questions to ask the interviewer so you can ensure the company is a good match for your qualifications and interests.

Duties and Requirements

How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
What are you looking for in a candidate?
What are the biggest challenges of this job?
How would you describe a typical day in this position?
What is the typical work week?
Is overtime expected?
What should I accomplish the most crucial thing in the first ninety days?
How much travel is expected?
Is relocation a possibility?

Promotion

Why is this job available? Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
How does one advance in the company?
Are there any examples of a career path beginning with this position?
Do you provide professional development opportunities?

Culture

What are the most significant rewards of the job and working for this company?
What is the best part of working for this company?
What’s your least favourite part of working here?
What background would be best suited for success in this position?

Mission and Vision

How would you describe this company’s values?
How has the company changed over the last few years?
What are the company’s plans for growth and development?

Office Structure

How has the company changed over the last few years?
Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet them before making my final acceptance decision?
What is the company’s management style?
Do you have a policy for helping new team members get on board?

Interview Questions to Avoid Asking

You should avoid asking some questions since they won’t present you in a positive light.

What does this company do?
Do your research ahead of time!
When can I take time off for vacation if I get the job?
Wait until you get the offer to mention prior commitments.

Can I change my schedule if I get the job?
If you need to figure out the logistics of getting to work, don’t mention it now.
Did I get the job?
Don’t be impatient. They’ll let you know.

Guidelines for Asking Questions

While you don’t have to ask every question on the list above, having a few good questions ready will help you look like an informed and prepared candidate for the job. Here are some other things to remember when designing your list of questions.

Avoid “Me” Questions: “Me” questions are those that put yourself ahead of the employer. These include questions about salary, health insurance, vacation time, work hours per week, and other concessions. During an interview, you are trying to demonstrate to the employer how you can benefit the company, not the other way around. Once you are offered a position, you can begin to ask what the company can do for you.

Ask One question at a Time: Avoid multi-part questions; they will only overwhelm the employer. Each question should have one specific point.

Avoid “Yes” or “No” Questions: Most questions with a “yes,” “no,” or another one-word answer could likely be answered by searching the company’s website. Instead, stick to questions that create a dialogue between yourself and the employer.

Ask Questions About Multiple Topics: Avoid asking questions about just one subject. For example, if you only ask questions about your manager and his managerial style, the interviewer may assume you have an issue with authority figures. Ask questions about various topics to demonstrate your curiosity and interest in all aspects of the position.

Please don’t Ask Anything Too Personal: While it is a good idea to establish a rapport with your interviewer, do not ask personal questions that are not public information. For example, if you see a college banner on the employer’s wall, you can certainly ask if he went to that college. However, avoid overly personal questions about the interviewer’s family, race, gender, etc.