Do you have smart questions ready? If not, when you hear, “Do you have any questions for us?” in an interview, your answer should be a confident “Yes!” Asking insightful questions can provide you with valuable information that may not be included in the job description, helping you determine if the role and the company are a good fit for you. While we recommend selecting 4-5 smart questions from this list to avoid overwhelming the interviewer, here are our top 10 questions to consider asking:
- Is this a current role or a new role?
Understanding the purpose of this position is crucial. As such, this question allows you to gauge the importance of the role within the company’s success and reveals areas needing improvement and expectations for the job. - What does a typical day look like?
By asking this question, you will gain insights into your day-to-day responsibilities. This should help you assess how to allocate your time between projects and administrative tasks. Therefore, if the employer struggles to provide a clear answer, it may indicate a disorganized team or department. - What are some of the challenges that come with this role?
This is a crucial question for identifying potential issues you may need to address. Furthermore, the answer can also hint at underlying problems unmentioned during the interview. - What are some of your challenges in the department?
This question seeks information that job descriptions typically do not include, such as internal team dynamics, difficult team members, budget constraints, or tight deadlines. - How many people are in the team, department, and office?
Understanding the current team structure and the people you will work with daily can help you assess whether the team dynamic is conducive to your success. As such, you can gauge the degree of support you can expect–sometimes support can come in many form, either within the team, or from without, like from other Departments, like Human Resources. - What other teams will I be interacting with?
This question reveals how much collaboration occurs beyond your immediate team. Furthermore, it helps you assess your comfort level with interdepartmental interaction. - What are the qualities of successful people in this role?
Gaining insight into what it takes to thrive in this position is vital. Therefore, this question helps you determine if you possess the necessary skills and attributes to succeed. - How do you evaluate and measure performance in this role?
Clarify the expectations of this position to position yourself for success. While job postings often include a long list of responsibilities, this conversation may highlight a few key performance indicators. - What does a successful candidate need to accomplish in their first 3 months/6 months/year?
This question provides an understanding of the expected learning curve and immediate goals, giving you insight into whether the role requires quick wins or an extended training period. - What kind of character traits will do well to fit your company culture?
Learn about the traits and work ethics that thrive in the organization, which can help you gauge whether your values align with the company’s culture.
And that’s it. Hopefully by asking a handful of smart questions, you will both be better informed and–hopefully–have left a better impression.
This article is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice. Therefore, for specific staffing or managed services needs, please consult with a professional.
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