Asking Questions During an Interview

Be prepared to ask questions during the job interview that are based on your research of the company and industry. Insightful, pertinent questions will demonstrate you've done your homework and are serious about the position. They will also help both parties determine if you’re the right match for the job.

Sample Questions to Ask

• How have you been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
• What accounts for success within the company?
• Describe the corporate culture. What kind of employee behavior conforms to it?
• Are there any big company-wide initiatives coming up?
• How does the company reward above-average performance—beyond dollars?
• Where do you see this company in five years, ten years?
• Why is this position open?
• How often has it been filled in the past five years?
• What skills and abilities did the last person lack?
• What aspects of the job have previous employees disliked the most?
• What skills and qualifications are essential for success in this position?
• What duties would I perform during a typical day on the job?
• What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
• What would I be expected to accomplish in the first 3 months?
• What are some of the long-term objectives you would like to see completed?
• What are the immediate priorities for the person you hire?
• What are some of the more difficult problems one would face in this position?
• What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
• What are the greatest challenges in this position?
• What are the most pressing tasks in this position?
• What’s the organizational structure of my department (and/or the company)?
• What role would I have in determining work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
• What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
• How is one evaluated in this position?
• What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
• When employees have been successful in this job, what positions have they moved to — inside and outside the company?
• Can I talk with employees I’d be managing?
• In what ways can the team I will be working with improve?
• How much experience does the team I’d be joining have?
• How do you think I fit the position?
• When do you expect the final decision to be made?
• What is the next step in the hiring process? Should I call to follow up, or will you contact me?

What Not to Ask

Knowing what not to ask during an initial interview is just as important as being prepared on what you do want to ask. While this this information is important to find out before accepting a job offer, the first interview is not the place to ask about: vacation time, sick leave, benefits, or office space.

Ace the Interview