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Questions to Ask During Your Interview

Published on: Nov 28, 2019
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During an interview, there comes a point when you’re asked, “do you have any questions,” and having some thoughtful questions in mind can reflect your interest in the position as well as your experience. Asking questions that are answered on the company website show a lack of preparation, so stick with questions about expectations, details about the position, or what skills will help you succeed within the role.

Some questions to keep in the back of your mind (or written down in the notebook you take to the interview):

About expectations of the management and team, understanding the group you’d be working with as well as what’s expected from them:

  • What qualities do you appreciate most in your direct reports?

  • What were your department goals last year? Did you meet them?

  • What types of skills are missing from your team that you’re looking to bring in with a new hire?

  • What do you see as the greatest strength of this department?


About the organization, getting more details on the place you may work and showing interest above and beyond your initial research:

  • What is the reputation of this department within the organization?

  • Where do you see this organization in the next few years?

  • What gets you most excited about this organization’s future?

  • Which departments work most closely with this one?

  • Is the work environment more collaborative, or more independent?

  • How has this place changed since you began working here?


Midsection Of Employer Giving Handshake To Candidate In Office

About the position itself, digging into the day to day and understanding what else the interviewer needs to know:

  • What are the most important attributes someone needs to be successful in this position?

  • Who will I work with most closely?

  • What opportunities will I have to learn?

  • Is there anything I’ve said that makes you doubt I would be a great fit for this position?


Questions like these also give you the opportunity to give additional examples of how you’re the right candidate for the position. For instance, if you’ve worked closely with certain departments in the past and you’d be working with similar ones in this role, give an example of how that collaboration helped meet your goals. Or if they have a note on something you said that makes them unsure if you’d be a great fit, you can address any reservations they might have while still in front of them.

With a few good questions ready, you close the interview on a high note and show your preparedness and enthusiasm for the position. Here are some questions to keep in the back of your mind or written down to take into an interview.