What Questions Should I Ask in an Interview?

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It’s always a good idea to have some questions prepared to ask during an interview. Asking questions in an interview shows that you are interested in the position and the company, and it can also help you to better understand the role and determine if it is a good fit for you.  

Some examples of questions you might consider asking in an interview include: 

  • What does a typical day in this role look like? 
  • What are the biggest challenges that someone in this role would face? 
  • How does this role contribute to the overall goals of the company? 
  • What opportunities are there for professional development and advancement within the company?
  • Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with? 
  • What do you like most about working for this company? 

Remember to keep your questions focused and professional, and avoid asking about things like salary and benefits until those topics have been addressed by the employer. 

 

Can I ask questions about a company’s culture in an interview?

It can be very helpful to ask about the culture of a company during an interview. The culture of a company can have a big impact on your job satisfaction and overall experience working there, so it’s important to get a sense of what it’s like before you accept a position.

Some examples of questions you might consider asking to learn more about the company culture include: 

  • What values are most important to the company? 
  • How would you describe the work environment here? 
  • How do employees typically work together, and how much collaboration is there between teams? 
  • How does the company support work-life balance? 
  • How do employees typically communicate with each other and with management? 

Keep in mind that the interviewer may not be able to fully answer these questions, but they should be able to provide some insight into the culture of the company. 

 

Are there any questions I shouldn’t ask during an interview?

There are a few types of questions that it is generally not appropriate to ask a company during an interview:

  • Questions about salary, benefits, and other compensation:
    • It’s generally best to wait until the employer brings up the topic of salary and benefits. Asking about these things too soon can come across as overly focused on money and may not be viewed as a good sign. 
  • Questions that could be seen as discriminatory:
    • It is illegal to discriminate against people in the workplace on the basis of their race, gender, religion, national origin, age, or other protected characteristics. As such, you should avoid asking questions that could be seen as discriminatory or that could reveal information about someone’s protected characteristics. 
  • Questions that are not related to the job:
    • It’s important to focus your questions on the job and the company, rather than asking about things that are not directly related to the position or the organization. 
  • Questions that are too personal:
    • It’s important to be professional and respectful during an interview, and that means avoiding asking overly personal questions. Stick to questions about the job, the company, and the industry. 

 Overall, try to focus on asking questions that will help you to better understand the role, the company, and whether it is a good fit for you. 

 

Should I ask all the questions I have during the interview or just a few?

It’s generally a good idea to select a few key questions to ask during an interview, rather than trying to ask everything that comes to mind. This is because interviews are typically quite structured, with a limited amount of time for both the employer and the candidate to ask and answer questions. 

Before the interview, it can be helpful to make a list of the things you are most curious about or that are most important to you in a job. This could include things like the company culture, the responsibilities of the role, the opportunities for professional development, and the team you would be working with. 

During the interview, try to prioritize your questions and focus on the ones that are most important to you. It’s also a good idea to try to ask questions that will help you to better understand the role and determine if it is a good fit for you. Finally, be sure to listen carefully to the answers and ask follow-up questions if necessary. 

 

What if I have concerns about any answers to the questions raised?

If you have concerns about the answers to questions that you have asked during an interview, it’s important to address them in a respectful and professional manner.

You might consider saying something like: 

“Thank you for your answer. Could you elaborate on that a bit further? I want to make sure I understand fully.” 

“I see what you’re saying, but I’m a little concerned about (specific issue). Could you tell me more about how the company handles that?” 

“I’m interested in this position, but (specific issue) is important to me. Can you tell me more about how the company addresses that?” 

It’s okay to have concerns or questions, and it’s important to raise them during the interview process so that you can get a better understanding of the role and the company. Just be sure to stay respectful and professional in your tone and language. 

Interview questions to ask

What if I don’t have any questions to ask in an interview?

Whilst it is always great  to have some questions prepared to ask during an interview, if you don’t have any questions, it’s okay to say so.

You might consider saying something like: 

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the company and the position. I think you’ve covered everything I was curious about. Do you have any final questions for me?” 

Alternatively, if you can’t think of any specific questions but still want to show that you are interested in the company and the position, you might consider asking the interviewer if they have any recommendations for things you can read or research to learn more. For example: 

“I’m really interested in this position and the company, but I don’t have any specific questions at the moment. Is there anything you would recommend that I read or research to learn more about the company and the industry?” 

This shows that you are proactive and eager to learn, even if you don’t have any specific questions at the moment. 

 

What can I do to prepare some questions before an interview?

Here are a few steps you can take to prepare questions to ask during a job interview: 

  • Research the company: Look at the company’s website, read any news articles or press releases about them, and try to get a sense of their mission, values, and goals. This will help you to understand the company better and come up with questions that are relevant and specific to them. 
  • Review the job description: Carefully read through the job description and make a list of any specific responsibilities or requirements that you want to know more about. This will help you to tailor your questions to the specific position you are applying for.
  • Think about your own priorities: Consider what is most important to you in a job and make a list of questions that will help you to determine if this position is a good fit for you. This might include questions about the company culture, opportunities for professional development, or the work-life balance.
  • Practice your questions: Practice asking your questions out loud to get a sense of how they sound. This will help you to feel more confident and prepared during the interview. 
  • Prioritize your questions: You may not have time to ask all of your questions during the interview, so it’s a good idea to prioritize the ones that are most important to you. 

 

If any questions arise during the interview when should I ask them?

It’s generally a good idea to ask any questions that come up during the interview as they arise, rather than waiting until the end when the interviewer asks if you have any questions. This is because the interviewer may not have as much time at the end of the interview to answer your questions, and you may forget to ask them if you wait until the end. 

If you have a question that arises during the interview, it’s usually okay to interrupt politely and ask it. For example, you could say something like:

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but something you just mentioned made me curious. Could you tell me more about…” or “That’s an interesting point. Could you expand on that a bit?” 

If you have more in-depth questions or concerns that you would like to discuss, it might be better to wait until the end of the interview or to bring them up during a follow-up conversation. 

 

Preparing for an interview and need more tips? Check out our other articles…

 

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