“What questions do you have for me?” If you’re interviewing for your next (or first) job, you should expect to hear this question at some point in the interview. Typically toward the end. You definitely want to be prepared when the interviewer opens the floor after finishing their questions during the job interview. When an interviewer asks this question, realize that they are doing more than simply giving your the opportunity to ask questions. The questions you ask and how you ask them are also going to factor into your interview performance. Likely the worst answer possible is “I have no questions.” So, let’s assume you aren’t going to use that response and instead are going to ask some insightful questions to not only demonstrate your preparation and interest, but also to gather important information that you can factor into your decision about the job opportunity.
Whether you are interviewing for an entry-level position or an opportunity in management, remember that while the company is interviewing you, you are also interviewing the company. You want to make sure the opportunity is the right one for you, so make sure you use your questions to help you complete your evaluation.
Preparing an action plan for your question list that is tailored to the opportunity is crucial. Here are some suggestions for handling this portion of the interview and some sample inquiries that recruiters have found to be effective in real-world scenarios.
Interview Inquiries Regarding the Position
- How long has the job been available? (If relevant: Why has the post been available for a long time?)
- Why is the position available? (It’s great to find out if the person formerly in the role is still with the company or has left.)
- Are you willing to employ and train the ideal individual for this role, or are you trying to hire someone with the knowledge and experience to do the job right away?
- What would you say is the single most important thing for a candidate to be successful in this role?
- What are the main challenges I might face in this position?
Inquiries Concerning the Company
- What do you like best about working for the company? (This is a good way to gain some personal insight from the interviewer on what they like about the company.)
- How has the organization grown and changed in recent years?
- What expansion and development goals does the company have?
Inquiries Regarding the Team
- What skills might a new employee bring to the team that it currently lacks?
- Tell me about the team I’ll be working with.
- How does the team fit into the company structure?
Questions for your Prospective Supervisor
You can learn a lot from your potential direct supervisor, so put some real thought into these questions.
- How long have you worked for the company?
- When did you become a manager?
- What do you like best about working here?
- How would you define success in the role I’m interviewing for?
- What is the single most important skillset or qualification you want to see in the ideal candidate?
Don’t feel constrained to just this list, but consider this a good jumping-off point to help come up with your own questions. Being ready with a list when the times comes for you to ask questions will go a long way to establishing how serious you are about the opportunity, how you prepare, your knowledge of the company, and the things that are most important to you regarding the role and the company.
