10 Great Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

By Alexis Stiebe

When an employer invites you to interview for a position, you know to expect many questions about your skills and your background. The hiring manager wants to know what experience you bring to the role and if you’ll be a good fit for the company. But you should have questions as well.

An interview shouldn’t be an interrogation. You’re having a conversation about if this open position, and this company, is the right fit for you. You’ll need to ask smart questions to learn more about the role and the company culture you would be entering. A good question also shows the employer you’ve researched the role and have the skills they’re looking for.

What exactly should you ask to really learn valuable information?
Look at our top 10 interview question suggestions:

  1. How does this role fit into your company’s mission?

    This question tells you why this role exists and how it supports the company’s overall mission. Knowing the company’s mission can give you insight into their values and allow you to judge if they match your own.

  2. What do you expect this position to accomplish in the next 60-90 days?

    You’ll learn what you’re expected to contribute as soon as you start. This can help you plan and formulate ideas even before the first day.

  3. Why did you join the company?

    The interviewer might answer with easy information like benefits or pay, which could be a sign that there isn’t much below the surface. Or, they might talk about the specific qualities that drew them to the brand and the integrity of the company. You can be more confident about the role with that passion from a current employee.

  4. What do your most successful employees do differently?

    This question helps you understand the expectations of the potential employer and how they define success. Use this answer to achieve success of your own.

  5. What is the turnover in your company?

    This question can reveal possible problems in the organization. If this question makes your interviewer uncomfortable, it’s not a good sign.

  6. Are there opportunities for professional advancement and growth?

    Many companies support their employees with opportunities to learn new skills with training and development programs. Is this employer one of them? You’ll learn if this role is the best option to further your career success.

  7. What do you see as the most challenging part of this position?

    This shows you both the good and the bad of the open position. You may have the skills to tackle this challenge head on. This question gives you an opening to share your solution with the interviewer.

  8. Is there anything in my background that gives you pause or any requirements you are seeking that I do not meet?

    Use this question to overcome any trouble spots before you leave the building. Don’t become defensive but try to address the problem. You may have the skill they think you are lacking or be able to easily solve a small issue.

  9. What questions have other candidates asked that I haven’t?

    You’ll gain insight into your competition and probably learn something you overlooked. This question also sets you apart from the other candidates that have already interviewed.

  10. What are the next steps in this process?

    Take some of the anxiety out of the waiting period after the interview and find out what you can expect. The interviewer can share their timeline and let you know when to expect a follow up.

Now that you’ve wowed the interviewer with your stand-out questions, you could have an important decision to make. Use the answers to these questions to make a confident decision when you receive an employment offer. You should know if the new role is the best fit for your future career path. If you’d like more help navigating that path, contact the experts at Career 1 Source today.