You’ve probably done a lot of pre-interview prep work on how to answer the most common and challenging interview questions. But did you know that the questions you ask in an interview can be just as important in shaping your interviewer’s impression of you?
That’s because the questions you ask can show how prepared and motivated you are about the position and company, and what type of colleague you would be to other members of the team. You might think that’s a lot to pack into a set of questions, but it’s simpler than it sounds.
examples of questions to ask at the end of your interview.
Here are eight topics you should ask about during your interview — and a few example questions to help you out.
1. Typical day
- What does a typical day look like for the person in this role?
- What types of responsibilities and challenges can this person expect?
These kinds of questions will uncover who you are accountable to, your teammates, the hard and soft skills needed to succeed and will give you a chance to speak to these things.
2. Expectations
- How do you measure success?
If I was offered this position, what do you see happening in the first 90 days, six months and year that would constitute success?
This is the time to make sure your goals are a good match and you know what’s required to succeed, something that you can often only discover by reading between the lines of the job description.
3. Homework
- I saw that your organization grew by 30 percent last year and would love to hear more about the plan for growth.
Read up on an organization, especially recent news releases. It shows initiative. Then engage in a sincere conversation about what you’ve learned and how interested you are in an insider’s perspective.
4. Rapport
- What do you like best about working here?
Ask for your interviewer’s personal insight and experience and be sincere about learning the answers. This is a chance to understand his or her personality and work style and a bit more off-the-record information about company culture.
5. Future
- Where do you picture the company in five years and how would the person in this role contribute to this vision?
Asking questions about the future implies that you plan on sticking around and investing in the goals of the company. It also shows that you take ownership and care about shared goals.
6. Teammates
- Can you tell me more about the team and its members?
- Is there anyone else you would like me to meet with?
You are a team player who is aware of the importance of collaboration, establishing synergies and working to accomplish goals. Asking these questions gives you the chance to see how the organization approaches collaboration. It also gives you the chance to meet additional direct reports, peers and managers and learn a bit more about the hiring process and timelines.
7. Enthusiasm
- Is there anything else I can provide to help you make a decision?
Asked any number of ways, this question is a professional and polite way of showing your eagerness and enthusiasm. It also opens the door to talk about any questions the interviewer might have about hiring you and gives you the chance to answer with confidence.
8. Next steps
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
Not only does this show you are eager to move the process forward, it gives you an idea of timelines and ensures that you can follow up properly.
topics to avoid.
Asking well-informed questions can change the dynamic of the interview as well as the interviewer’s impression of you. Likewise, asking the wrong questions can cause a negative reaction. Especially in the first interview, avoid asking about vacation time, when you’ll be promoted or anything about compensation — unless it’s brought up by the interviewer first. These details can be discussed further along in the process.
Good luck, and don’t forget the thank you note when you’re done!
Find out the moment opportunities become available by signing up for Randstad's job alerts. Just tell us the kind of position you want, and we'll email you when we find it.