![10 Smart Questions To Ask in an Interview [Video + Transcript]](https://images.ctfassets.net/pdf29us7flmy/2vZ6G4CQ8zv5bUOPHZr3i6/eb344d5e9b8528ef86f0dee3df0bab4f/5.svg?w=720&q=100&fm=jpg)
Why it's important to ask questions
It's natural to feel nervous during an interview. You want to answer every question to the best of your ability. Often, we think that the sole purpose of interviews is to persuade hiring managers that we are the right fit, but it's not. Your job is to understand as much as possible about the opportunity, apply your own self-awareness , and use game theory to see if you and the job are a good fit for each other. The best strategy to achieve this is to ask your interviewer thoughtful questions. This is your chance to further showcase your curiosity and your interest in the role. Also, leading the conversation is a great way to direct to a topic that is yet to be discussed. You can use this opportunity to your advantage. Show that you've done the research and have the personal motivation to succeed in this role. This also helps you make a more informed decision about whether this job aligns with your values, especially when it comes to company culture or career development. Now that you know why you should ask questions, let's quickly talk about how to ask them. But before I move on, if you've watched this far, give us a like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to get more career advice every week. Related: 54 Great Questions to Ask During an InterviewHow to ask questions
It's unnecessary to cram all 10 questions into a single interview. You want to be prepared, but use your best judgment and focus on the questions that are most significant to you, the role and the interviewer. As a best practice, I recommend asking at least three questions during an interview. Now, it's also increasingly common for interviews to be a fluid conversation, not a tennis match. If that's the case, many of these questions can be peppered throughout your talk. You don't have to wait until the end. Just trust your gut throughout the conversation to determine when it's appropriate to shift from giving an answer to asking a question of your own. Related: Interview Questions to Ask EmployersTop 10 questions to ask in a job interview
Now that you know why you should ask questions and how to ask them, let's get into it. The 10 questions fall into three categories: the job, the company and you. First up, questions about the specific job:1. Why is the team looking to fill this role?
This question can be quite revealing. You might learn something hidden that the interviewer hadn't intended to share. For example, if the position is vacant because the previous employee quit after a short period, that could be a red flag. Equally, if the previous employee is getting a promotion, that's a sign of potential growth trajectory. Understanding why the role is open also helps you spot trends in turnover and what makes a good fit with the team. Related: Interview Question: “Why Do You Want This Job?”2. What has been a challenge for people in this job in the past?
This question can provide a more realistic look into the team and culture. Hearing what failure has looked like can help ensure it isn't repeated. If there are systemic roadblocks to getting the job done well, it may be telling about how successful you'll be in the role. Listen carefully to what the hiring manager is expecting and how their management style supports or hinders success. Related: Interview Question: "What Is the Biggest Challenge You've Faced In Work?"3. What is the most important impact I can make in the first 90 days?
A job description can be dense and confusing. When you ask about your immediate impact, you're signaling to the potential boss that you're already thinking like an employee who cares and wants to do well. And here's a pro tip: Surprisingly, the hiring manager may not have written the job description. It's common for the job that you saw posted online to have started from a template or a previous vacancy. Asking a direct question like this ensures that you and the hiring manager have equal expectations going in. Related: Interview Question: "What Are Your 30, 60 and 90 Day Goals?" Next, we'll get into a couple of questions about the company.4. What do you think are major trends affecting the company in the next year or two?
Inviting a conversation about the broader company gives you a chance to bring up any research that you've done, and this shows that you're motivated to get the job. The response you get can also help you understand how the future of the company might impact your own professional development or career path. Related: The Complete Guide to Researching a Company5. What makes someone successful at this company? Is there anything I should do starting day one?
Every organization has its own way of doing things. When you ask about the behaviors of successful employees, you encourage the interviewer to open up and share some insights that they've picked up. For example, a job posting might not say that overtime is expected. But by asking this question, you can help to reduce ambiguity. And these nuggets of information will help you determine if the fit is right and, if so, what you need to do to be successful from the start. Consider how teamwork and communication style affect success here.6. What have you learned or how have you changed since working here?
Like the previous question, asking about how the interviewer has fared in the company can foreshadow how the company might change you. If the interviewer is positive about how they've changed, well, that's a great indication of a healthy workplace, which encourages growth and a supportive atmosphere. This question is also about showcasing your communication skills and connecting more deeply with the interviewer. Plus, people love talking about themselves. You might even get a sense of how the company supports development opportunities or values input from human resources. Related: 48 Questions To Ask About the Company During an Interview To learn more about how to answer common interview questions, check out this video: Now we'll get into some new questions—questions to showcase your awesomeness.7. What skills are needed to be successful in this role?
Like asking about challenges for past employees, this question focuses on the positive characteristics. When the hiring manager answers, respond by demonstrating times when you've embodied those same attributes in past roles. Try to link your strengths to the required competencies listed in the job ad or discussed in the interview process. Related: Top 11 Skills Employers Look for in Job Candidates8. What problem can I tackle for you quickly in this job?
No matter who you're interviewing with, whether it's the boss or a potential colleague, everyone will appreciate your desire to help. Pay attention to what you hear. And if you join the company, work quickly to show that you remember. Earning political capital by helping others, not just your immediate boss, will pay off—especially with your future coworkers.9. Based on the interview, what feedback do you have for me?
This question expands the conversation so you can hear what they really think of you as a candidate and it signals your willingness to absorb feedback, suggesting that you want to learn and improve. This indicates a high level of resilience and self-awareness, two traits good leaders seek. It also gives insight into how open the company is to feedback and continuous career development. Related: How To Ask for Feedback After an Interview (With Tips) And for my Insider Tip: when you're given a chance to ask a final question, ask this, the closer.10. When you saw my background, what persuaded you to interview me?
Now, when asked with poise, this question is a gold mine. First, you learn what the interviewer really cares about. Second, you may hear hesitations, which you can address in the moment. Finally, have you heard the saying "People never remember what you say, but they remember how you made them feel"? When the last minute or two of an interview is the hiring manager sharing why they should hire you, they'll be left feeling confident in their own good judgment. Whether you're preparing for your next interview or building a strong presence on LinkedIn, asking the best questions is key to standing out. And if you're early in your job search, this approach will serve you well across interviews and help you land the right job offer. Related: 31 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job InterviewRecap of the top 10 questions you want to ask in a job interview
Now that we've gone through the top 10 questions to ask a hiring manager, here's a quick recap:Why is the team looking to fill the role? What has been a challenge for people in this job? What is the most important impact I can make in the first 90 days? What do you think are the major trends affecting the company in the next year? What makes someone successful at this job? What have you learned or how have you changed since working here? What skills are needed to be successful in this role? What problem could I tackle for you immediately in this job? Based on this interview, what feedback do you have for me? When you saw my background, what persuaded you to interview me? Now, if you found this helpful, please hit the like button down below so that we know that it's been useful to you. You can subscribe to our channel right here to get weekly career advice. And for more tips, I'd recommend checking out this playlist: Thank you so much for watching. We'll see you next time!