32 Best Questions To Ask At The End Of A Job Interview |
Before your interview, everyone will tell you that you should have a good list of questions to ask the recruiter at the end. After all, the interview isn’t just for the hiring manager to know you. It’s also a chance for you to know the company and see if it will be a good fit.
This advice is great and all, but most people don’t know which questions they should be asking. If you’re struggling to come up with some good questions post-interview, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’re sharing some of the best questions to ask at the end of a job interview, whether it’s an in-person, video chat, or phone interview.
Table of Contents
What Questions Should You Ask At The End Of A Job Interview?
Once the cover letter is read and you’ve been asked the timeless question, “Why should we hire you?” there is the opportunity to ask the hiring manager questions. You should never say you don’t have any questions. This shows a lack of interest in the company, which won’t bid well for you during the hiring process. Instead, ask one of these top-notch questions and wow the recruiter.
Job Role-Specific Questions
Regardless of how thorough the job description is, you should always be eager to learn more about your potential new career path. Job role-specific questions will ensure you know everything there is to know about the role. This insight will allow you to make a final decision on whether or not the job is truly right for you. At the same time, it will show the recruiter how interested you are in the position.
#1. Can you tell me more about what the day-to-day responsibilities look like for this role?
You should know what a typical day looks like to prepare yourself for what might be to come.
#2. How do you evaluate employee performance for this role?
This is a great question that will provide you with some insight into how you should behave if you land this new job.
#3. What do you believe are the essential skills for the person in this role to possess?
An interview is 100% a two-way street, and you need to take care to learn whether or not this job is right for you. After learning the skills essential for the role, you might discover it’s not something you’re interested in and head back to your job search.
#4. What kind of professional development opportunities are available for this role?
Here’s some career advice: you should always find a company that allows for growth. Not only will this increase your paycheck, but it will open up a realm of new possibilities and learning experiences you can take anywhere. Does this company offer development opportunities that will satisfy your desire for growth, or is it a dead-end job?
#5. What are your expectations for this specific role within the first 30-60 days?
Again, it’s all about knowing exactly what to expect. The last thing you want to do is to walk in and feel ambushed and overwhelmed by all of the aspects of the job, especially during your first few months.
#6. How has this role evolved over the years?
There is a perpetual change in the workforce, whether it’s better equipment, more incentives, etc. Knowing how this role has changed — for better or for worse — can help you decide whether or not you’ll return to your job hunt.
#7. Can you tell me more about the previous person that held this role?
This is really an open-ended question. For one, you can see how the company speaks of their employees (past and present). Secondly, you can learn whether or not you should be like the last person or go in an entirely different direction. It’s all about gathering insight.
#8. What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of this role?
This is one of many smart questions you won’t want to skip at the end of an interview. Why? Because you need to know what to expect. More importantly, you need to know the most challenging aspects to be entirely prepared.
#9. Who would I be reporting to?
While this is something you’ll learn along the way — if you get hired — it’s not a bad question for interviewees to ask. This question shows that you want to learn about your potential new role.
#10. How do I compare with other candidates you’ve interviewed for this role?
While this might seem like an “on the spot” type of question, it’s one that all job seekers should ask. How are you stacking up to the competition? Based on their answer, you will learn whether or not you really stand a chance at this new job.
#11. What kind of tools/software is used daily for this role?
Knowledge is power. If they mention any tools or software you’re unfamiliar with, you might want to head home and get acquainted as soon as possible.
#12. What is communication like with your existing team members?
Toxic work environments exist, and plenty of it stems from toxic employees. If the team lacks communication skills, it’s not likely a situation you want to jump into.
#13. Have I answered all your questions?
Give the interviewer one final chance to ask you questions. This relays that you’re an open book, and you want the potential employer to gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision.
Company-Specific Questions
Knowing everything you can about the potential job is critical and help you decide whether or not you’re the ideal candidate. But it would help if you looked at the bigger picture, too. A poor overall company can squash even the best jobs. Ask these company-specific questions at the end of your interview to better understand who you may be working for.
#14. How long have you worked for this company?
How long a person has stayed with a company says a lot about the company itself. That’s why this is one of the best interview questions to ask at the end of an interview. If they say they’ve been there ten years, great. If they’ve only been there a few months or years, there may be an issue of high turnover, which is a major red flag.
#15. How much has your role changed since you started working here?
Is the interviewer always jumping from job to job? Is their working life routine? Have they had growth? Again, learning about someone’s personal experience in a job is a great way to determine if the company is right for you.
#16. Why did you join this company?
Get some insight into why the interviewer was drawn to the company. The same incentives might be what draws you in to accept a job offer, too.
#17. What is your favorite thing about working for this company?
With this question, you can learn the ins and outs of the company. If the interviewer has multiple answers, that’s an excellent indicator this is a good company. If they struggle to come up with something, run for the hills.
#18. How would you describe the company culture?
Company culture is essentially the attitude and behavior of the company as a whole. Is there respect within the company? Open communication? Rules and regulations? Micromanagement? Many categories fit into the realm of company culture, and knowing as much about it as possible is critical.
#19. What does the company structure look like?
Company culture and company values are imperative but don’t forget overall structure. A lack of structure can create a challenging work environment. It can also make it impossible to reach goals or grow within, which you will want to avoid.
#20. Does your company host any team events?
The best companies will feel more like a “family” than a group of people who don’t know each other and don’t work well together. Find out whether or not this company focuses on team-building and creating a work family.
#21. What are some of the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?
With this interview question, you can learn a lot about the company’s future — and your future. But fair warning: the challenge might be a lot larger than you thought!
#22. What does your employee turnover rate look like?
This is one of the most common interview questions asked by potential employees. Why? Because a high turnover rate signals that something is wrong with the company. Is the workplace toxic? Are workers overworked with little work-life balance? Are employees disrespected and not listened to? Avoid a workplace with a high turnover.
#23. Where do you see this company in the next six years?
Don’t forget that the company’s future is the future for yourself, too, as an employee. Know where you might be sitting six years from now.
#24. What makes your company different from the rest of your competitors?
Remember: interviews are a two-way street. Ask the hiring manager to “sell” the company to you. After all, you don’t have to take the job offer. Why should you pick them, anyway?
#25. How does the company define and demonstrate core values?
Entering a company that defines and demonstrates core values is imperative. What core values does this business have, and how do they demonstrate it? Do they focus on loyalty, honesty, and accountability? Does everyone focus on the same goal and work together to accomplish it? Make sure you understand the company values at your next interview.
#26. What qualities or skills does a successful employee have in the company?
Do you have what it takes to make it in this company? You won’t know unless you ask what qualities and skills the company expects.
#27. What does the onboarding/training process look like for new employees at this company?
Know what you’re getting into before getting into it.
#28. How does the company handle conflicts between employees?
There are 100% right and wrong ways to handle workplace conflicts. Hopefully, this company has a clear plan to help with disruptions. Otherwise, it’s not a company you should continue to seek.
Questions To Ask When Wrapping Up A Job Interview
Now it’s time to “seal the deal.” The following questions are the right questions to end your interview with so that you stay fresh and prominent in the hiring manager’s mind.
#29. Do you have any questions about my background for this role?
If you’ve got the experience and background to nail this new career path, engage the interviewer to ask further questions. After all, you don’t mind pumping yourself up a bit — right?
#30. What are the next steps of the interview process?
With this question, you can better understand whether or not you might be hired for this role — or at least be able to move on to the next step.
#31. What has your experience been like while interviewing other candidates for this role?
Get to know your competition, and you will discover whether you stand a chance at being hired or not.
#32. Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
You want to let the hiring manager know that you’re ready and willing to answer any question they have. This shows a willingness to be open and honest about yourself, your experience, and other aspects related to the position. Employers like this kind of confidence and openness, and it may be enough to land you the job in the end.
The Bottom Line
Asking questions at the end of the interview is imperative. You should ask a few questions about the job itself, but don’t forget to inquire about the overall company, too. In the end, you may find that this is your dream job, or you may see red flags you’d like to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?
Most of the questions on this list are popular, but the five most popular include:
- Can you tell me more about what the day-to-day responsibilities look like for this role?
- How long have you worked for this company?
- What is your favorite thing about working for this company?
- How does the company define and demonstrate core values?
- What are the next steps of the interview process?
How many questions should I ask at the end of a job interview?
No, you don’t need to ask all 32 questions at the end of your interview. Pick out at least two good questions to ask at your next interview, but no more than five.
