Best Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
The interview process is a two-way street. If you are a candidate being interviewed for a job, you will obviously be answering some questions about your background, experience, and what you bring to the table. You should also have the opportunity to ask some questions about the company, team, and role.
Your career and where you work is a big decision. Make sure you have all the relevant information you need to make an informed one. Below are some thought-starters to use and/or add to the questions you already have.
Side note: The person interviewing you should build in time to answer any of your questions. Typically, this is towards the end of the interview. If not, feel free to politely and professionally jump in and say something like, “I’m really interested in this role. I’d love to learn more about X,Y,Z. Would you mind if I asked a few questions?” The answer should be, “Absolutely, ask away!” If it’s any variation of “No”, I’d consider that response a red flag.
Ask a question about a recent update at the company. This shows you've done some research and have put some thought into how that might impact your prospective organization. The question can be anything from an industry or market change, a new product rollout, or a key hire they've made (i.e. new leadership team member announcement). An example is, "I'm just curious, has the team or company ever thought about...?" Another way to phrase this is, "I'm curious, what are your thoughts on...?" Pick a description or scenario that shows you're thinking about the big picture and overall team or company (not just getting through the interview).
"What would you say you're most excited about for the team or company? What would you say are the biggest challenges for the team or company?" The answer will provide insight on what's going well and what people are excited about and what's not going well or where there might be room for improvement. Pay attention to the content of the answer (i.e. what is said and what is not said) and the delivery (i.e. body language, tone of voice, etc.).
"How would you describe the team or company culture?" or "How would people on the team describe their experience working here?" Notice if the answer given is a "canned" one or if it's thoughtful and seems truthful and accurate. If an aspect of the answer resonates with you in a particularly positive or negative way, you can ask a follow-up question. Asking a thoughtful follow-up shows you were listening and genuinely care about the environment you'd be working in every day.
"If I'm hired, what can I do in the first 90 days to help make this role successful?" You can swap the world “role” with “team” or “company” depending on the situation. This question does three things. First it gives you some insight into your first 90 days. Second, it helps you understand how the role and business unit fits into the overall objective of the company. Third, it shows you're a team player from day one.
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About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.