Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

An interview is a two-way street, so you should be evaluating potential employers and future colleagues just as much as they are interviewing you.  At the end of the interview, a good interviewer should give you a chance to ask questions.  I’ve been surprised at how often candidates don’t seem to realize what a huge opportunity this is – it’s about as common as not for people to say, “No, I’m okay,” when I ask if they have any questions.

I’m here to tell you: don’t do that!

When your interviewer asks you if you have any questions, here are two main goals to keep in mind, along with some specific questions you can ask.

1. Clear up any questions you have about the company or the role:

• What are the key things you would want to see the person in this role achieve in their first 12 months? 
• How will you measure the success of the person in this role?
• Can you share with me the background behind why this role is open?
• Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with and the organizational structure?
• What are the company’s goals for the next year, and how does this department contribute to achieving them?

2. Set yourself up for success for the next interview”

• What are the next steps in the hiring process, and what’s your expected timeline?
• Can you share details about the topic of the next round(s) and who I’ll be meeting?
• Is there anything specific I can prepare for the next stage of the interview process?
• Do you have any recommendations for resources or industry insights I should look into before the next step?
• Would it be okay if I connect with you on LinkedIn to stay in touch, regardless of the outcome?

If you only have time to ask one question—or maybe you’ve forgotten all the others—there’s one question that can truly help set you apart:

“Looking at past hires in this role, what specific qualities or behaviors made someone a top performer compared to those who were just average?”

This question shows that you are truly trying to understand what specific traits are needed not just to succeed in the role but to become a top performer. That is exactly the kind of thing that will leave a lasting impression on a manager.