29 of the best questions to ask during a job interview

“Do you have any questions for me?” While it’s difficult to predict every question a recruiter is going to ask during a job interview, you can be almost certain this one will come up. An interview is about having a conversation. So you have to say “yes” to this question if you don’t want to lose any points, especially at the end of the interview. Why? It shows that you have a genuine interest in the role in question and that you care whether or not you get the job.

Naturally, you have to be prepared. So make sure to think through a few questions beforehand, even if the recruiter might answer some of them before you get a chance to ask. Worried about coming up short? Grab your pen. Here’s a subjective list of the best questions to ask in a job interview.

Questions about the position

Asking questions about the role is a good way to show you’re serious and are motivated to get the job. Also, understanding all the ins and outs of the role will help you to decide whether this is an opportunity that matches your career ambitions.

• What is the biggest challenge in this role?
• What kind of qualities and skills are you looking for in this position?
• Is it possible to meet the person currently occupying this job?
• How many people will I work with on a daily basis?
• Is there any travel involved? If so, how often?
• Do you know what my budget will be?
• What actions should I prioritize when I start?
• What are the prospects for moving up within the company?

Questions about the company and the industry

Your interest should go above and beyond the position itself. To show that you are genuinely interested in the company and want to understand some of the specific issues within the industry, here’s a non-exhaustive list of questions to ask. Be careful, however, to avoid asking questions that would imply a lack of preparation. Remember that these questions should only be a complement to what you already know. (No, you haven’t forgotten to research the company beforehand.)

• What is your major advantage over other companies in your industry?
• What are the objectives for this year?
• What are the challenges facing the company?
• How is the company managing to stay afloat in the current context?
• What are the company’s values?
• What drives you personally in this company?
• What impact do you want to have on society?
• What type of candidate would fit well in your company?

Questions about organization and teams

In a job interview, the recruiter is not only looking to see if the candidate has the right skills for the job, but they also need to be sure that the candidate will fit in with the current team. Showing that you are a team player who’s willing to work together with other employees is something that will be greatly appreciated by the recruiter. It will also give you insight into the organization.

• What is the organization chart of the company like?
• How do the different teams interact with each other?
• Who will be my direct manager?
• What are the main tasks of the team I will be joining?
• Does this team work in person or remotely?
• How do you make decisions within your team?
• How will my work be evaluated?
• How do you view failure?
• Do you have any standard practices or software to help you better communicate?
• How would you define the mindset of your team in just a few words?

Questions about the recruitment process

It is perfectly normal to ask questions about the recruitment process, so don’t be afraid to do so. It also shows that you care and that you’re organized. For example, fixing a date with the recruiter for when you should hear back from them is typical when wrapping up the interview.

• How many candidates do you expect to meet with?
• What is the next step in the recruitment process?
• Would you like me to give you the contact details of my current employer?

You don’t need to ask all of these questions, of course. You shouldn’t overwhelm the employer with an interrogation, or it may look a bit odd, but you should show that you’re curious, quick-thinking, and keen to get answers on anything that is unclear to you. Don’t hesitate to go back to subjects the recruiter brought up during the interview and then ask the questions that you think are most relevant. Now it’s your turn to ask the recruiter questions, so make the most of it!

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