Oct 27th 2020

27 questions to ask in your interview

You’ve probably spent the last half hour to forty-five minutes of your interview being asked questions about you and your skills. And now comes that dreaded, final part of the interview – “do you have any questions for us?” 

It seems like such a simple question, but getting this right is vital to making sure that the final impression of you is spot-on and to sniff out if this is the right role for you. An interview, after all, is a two-way street. 

Here are 27 key questions you can use to leave a positive, lasting impression. Don’t just throw all of them at the interviewer at once – pick out 2-3 questions instead. Having this list ready when that inevitable question comes will make sure you’ve got all bases covered. 

8 topics you could use:

The role

It’s important to really come to grips with what the day-to-day-responsibilities of the job will be. Whether it’s immediately as you start, or down the line during your time there. 

• What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?
• How can I work best within my team?
• What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
• Do you expect the main responsibilities for this position to change in the next six months?

Your performance

The key to understanding the companies priorities, as well as how they manage their people, is to find out how they will measure your success. 

• What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job?
• What are the performance expectations of this position over the first 12 months?
• What is the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed?

Training and professional development 

A new job is a fresh adventure where you are embarking on the next steps of your career path. You want to make sure this position will help you achieve your ultimate career goals. 

• What training programs are available to your employees?
• Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?
• How do I progress in the role?

The company as a whole 

You are hopefully about to spend the next however-long working for this company. So why not learn a little bit about their current position and where it’s headed? After all, you need to have a bigger vision than just your day-to-day tasks. 

• Where do you see this company in the next few years?
• What are the current goals that the company is focused on and how does the team work to support hitting those goals?
• What gets you most excited about the company’s future?

The team itself

You will spend more time with your new colleagues than you will with your friends. What they are like can be a deciding factor in whether you will enjoy your working life. Uncover a bit more about the team and whether they are the right fit for you. 

• Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
• Who will I work with most closely?
• Who will I report to directly?
• Which other departments work most closely with this team?

Culture is key 

Do you want to work somewhere where you are suited and booted, kept constantly on your toes, or loves a bit of lunchtime ping pong? Find out the aspects of this company’s culture and whether it’s your cup of tea.

• What’s the company and team culture like?
• What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked?
• How has the company kept the team engaged whilst working remotely?

Focusing on the interviewer 

An interviewer is a person just like you. They have their own opinions so asking questions about them is a great way to build up a rapport and show them you’re interested in getting to know a potential colleague, not just the role at hand. 

• How long have you been with the company?
• Why did you come to this company?
• What’s your favourite part about working here?

The next steps 

Be clear on what you need to do next and whether they have all the necessary information about you. It shows proactivity and enthusiasm for the position. 

• What are the next steps in the hiring process?
• What is the (virtual) onboarding process like?
• Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
• Do you have any final questions for me?

There you have it – twenty-six insightful questions that will make sure you end the interview on a high. For extra advice, sign up for the course “Nail that Interview” where you will get top tips on the interview process, plus a video and additional resources on what questions to ask. 

Want to know more about the job hunt from start to finish? Check out our ultimate guide to getting a job, or, if you’re unsure about what your dream job is, find out first-hand what it’s like to work in sales from one of our candidates.