What Questions Should I Ask During An Interview?
Have you ever gotten to the end of a fantastic interview, and the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me,” and you freeze? You are not alone! Here are some things to consider when preparing interview questions:
Know your audience and tailor your questions.
Every interview process differs depending on the role, industry, and organization. You’ll need to understand what role the person interviewing you plays in that process. Is the interviewer your future manager? A recruiter? A colleague? A cross-functional team partner you would collaborate with regularly?
Each participant will be able to answer different questions regarding the organization's role, company, and culture. For instance, HR professionals and recruiters will be less likely to have in-depth knowledge of the position’s day-to-day responsibilities. Still, they will have more information regarding the interview process, benefits, and overall organizational culture. A hiring manager can answer questions regarding the day-to-day functions, current projects, priorities, necessary skills, etc. By tailoring your questions to your audience, you will show that you are engaged in the process and will be able to learn more valuable information.
What are the most important things to you about accepting a new role?
To remind you, the interview process is for the organization to assess whether or not you are fit for the role, and also for you to determine if this would be a good fit for you.
Before beginning the interview process, determine what would be non-negotiable for you. These could include salary, location, hybrid or work-from-home expectations, work-life balance, health care benefits, and wardrobe expectations. Some of these items will be more readily available than others online and through research of the organization and the role.
During the interview, do not be shy about asking about some of these expectations. You can ask what the expectations of coming to the office are, what the work-life balance looks like for this role, and what is your favorite thing about working here.
Show off your industry knowledge and engagement.
When you can engage hiring managers in particular, you should ask questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the industry you work in. Ask questions like What are the biggest challenges facing someone in this role, what are your biggest priorities this year, and what gaps in skill sets does your current team have? You should aim to connect your skills, experience, and education to help them achieve these goals and fill those gaps on the team.
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