Asking questions in an interview is critical to landing the new job. This is an ultimate guide of the best questions to ask in an interview.
First off. Congratulations on landing the job interview!
Having your resume seen above hundreds or thousands of other resumes is the hardest part of getting a job! Go ahead and pat yourself on the back!
Now, let's get you prepared!
In today's job market, it can often be so exciting to get an interview that you may forget this is your chance to figure out if this is a job you actually want!
An interview is not just an employer's chance to decide if you're an investment they want to make, but an opportunity for YOU to decide if you want to invest yourself in their organization. Use your interview time to ask the critical questions you want to know the answers to!
You'll want to leave with a thorough understanding of what the job entails, what the company is like, what your boss will expect of you, and how to achieve success within the role.
Think of it this way. The more information you know about the job and what the employer desires, the better equipped you'll be to not only decide if the job is right for you, but to land the job itself!
Asking questions in a job interview is like getting the cheat sheet to exactly what they're looking for!
It's important that you're geared up with the proper things to ask in a job interview and exactly how to ask them!
Therefore, I've put together an ultimate list of questions to ask in an interview.
First, let's discuss the big “no-no's” of an interview and what to avoid.
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What Not to Do in An Interview
You're in an interview for a new job. The employer asks if you have any questions.
Crickets…
PLEASE, I BEG YOU. DO NOT SAY “No, I don't have any questions.”
Saying that will pretty much guarantee that you will not get the job.
That is like nails on a chalkboard to an employer (and to me). Don't do that. You're a TFC girl. You're been trained better than that. We've got you.
So, what should you do instead? To better understand, let's start with why the employer is giving you an opportunity to ask questions.
Why Does the Employer Want You to Ask Questions in an Interview?
One of the key elements to a successful interview is asking questions to the employer. They expect you to ask questions! In fact, they WANT YOU TO!
An employer asks if you have any questions because they not only want to genuinely address your questions, but they also want to see how badly you want this position.
If you have several questions to ask about the job, it shows the employer that you are very interested in the position and want to learn more.
In addition, and most importantly, it shows them that you're a valuable asset as well who values their time and wants to make sure the job is a good fit for them.
An interview with an employer is a two-way street.
You will be putting a lot of your precious time into this job and will be representing the organization. Therefore, the employer will want to see that you are invested in the company and excited about the opportunity through the questions you ask.
This brings me to my next point.
Why It's Important to Ask Questions in an Interview
Asking questions in an interview gives YOU an opportunity to essentially interview THE EMPLOYER to decide whether or not the role is a good fit for you.
You must remember that YOU are valuable and that committing to a job means that you value the opportunity and the company so much that you're willing to invest your skill set to improve the organization.
I always view a job as an exchange. I have a valuable skill set and experience level. The company is putting a price tag on what they believe my skill set is worth. If the company's values and goals align with mine AND the price tag (the income offered to me) is right, then it's a good fit!
Always view your skill sets as your value to an organization and focus on WHY they NEED you.
Asking questions in an interview will allow you to better understand the organization, learn more about the role you're going to take on, get to know your future boss, and help to give you the confidence you need to conquer the job by uncovering facts related to it.
Employers want to know that you are just as interested in them, the job, and the organization as they are in you.
Just think, if you were hiring an employee for a company you own, wouldn't you want the interview candidate to be super inquisitive of the job? Of course you would! You wouldn't want to hire someone that just didn't seem to care about your organization.
Employers see you in the same light. Bottom line here is: You MUST ask questions in a job interview.
So, what should you ask? Good question! (See, you're already getting the hang of this question thing!) =)
I'll break it all down.
27 Questions to Ask in an Interview
As we've discussed, asking questions in an interview is extremely important to not only show the employer you're interested, but to decide whether or not the job is a good fit for you.
You'll want to choose just a few questions from each category to be prepared with. Don't use this list for an interrogation of the employer. Instead, pick some of your favorites and keep them in your back pocket to ask.
Listen carefully during the interview as some may be answered for you during the course of the conversation.
I'd recommend bringing a simple portfolio to the interview and have the questions you'd like to ask jotted down inside for easy access during the interview. I'd recommend a professional portfolio like the one below.
Also, make sure to write notes when they answer your questions.
Questions to Ask About the Job Itself
Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the job and what it entails. You want to know exactly what you are getting yourself in to.
1. What does a typical day or week in this job entail?
2. What are the every day activities and tasks I can expect in this job?
3. What kinds of assignments might I expect during the first six months on the job?
4. What does the training program for this job entail? Explain how important a good training program is to you.
5. What do you think is the most challenging part of this job?
Questions to Ask About the Company
Since you will be investing yourself and your time into the company, you'll want to know as much as possible about the goals, values, and future of the organization.
6. Will you describe the company culture? Is it a team player atmosphere or more independent?
7. What would you say separates the company from their competitors? How does the company stay ahead of their competitors? (Definitely ask this question if you are applying for a sales role)
8. What are the company's 5 year goals? 10 year goals? Does XYZ Company plan to go public? Tell me more about that. (If they aren't already.) (You want to ask this to understand the direction of the organization and make sure it aligns with your goals)
9. What role does this team play to support the company's goals?
10. What are the company's strengths and weaknesses in comparison to your competitors?
Questions to Ask About The Ideal Candidate
These are the best questions to ask to understand exactly what the employer is looking for. This will help guide the traits you showcase about yourself.
11. What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position?
12. I noticed the company values and feel that I possess those values. However, what characteristics do you look for in employees in order to represent those values?
13. What are the common attributes of your top employees/performers?
Questions to Ask About Expectations
Understanding the expectations of the new role is critical. You'll want to know what is needed to achieve success in this job.
14. What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 30, 60, 90 days?
15. What are the performance expectations in the first year?
16. How is success measured in this position? This is critical to understand so that you know exactly what you'll need to do.
17. What can I do to be successful in this position?
Questions to Ask About Career Growth
It's important that you understand how you can grow your career at this company. In addition, if there are opportunities, you'll want the employer to know that you have your eyes set on career growth. I like to always mention that “I am looking to grow within the company and build a career” and then I dive into some of the questions below.
Feel free to use those exact words as that is exactly what I say. Employers love to hear that you plan to stay with the company.
An employee that wants to grow within the company typically goes above and beyond from day one. Since their goal is to be promoted, they will aim to impress. Therefore, saying just this one line says so much more about you and tells them important key traits about yourself, without them even being said.
In addition, a manager's own measure of success is often based on how they develop their employees. Therefore, it is ideal to hire an employee that is already interested in overachieving to seek promotion.
18. Are there career advancement opportunities at this company?
19. Do you value professional growth within your team? How do you accomplish that?
20. Where have successful employees in this same position progressed to?
Questions to Ask About the Interviewer
You'll want to ask a question or two about the interviewer themselves. This person may be your new boss so you'll want to build rapport and show them you care about them as a person. People hire people they like.
21. How long have you been with the organization?
22. What is your favorite part of your job?
23. Why did you choose this company?
24. What impresses you most about this company?
Questions to Ask At The End of the Interview About Next Steps
Before you leave, you'll want to verify that the interviewer has all the information they need and that you thoroughly understand the next steps. In fact, the best thing you can do is nail down a date/time for the next step.
At the end of an interview, I always say something like, “I greatly appreciate your time today. Based on today's conversation, I would love to be considered for this opportunity and think I'd be a fantastic candidate for this position.” Then, I ask the following questions.
25. Is there any reason you feel I wouldn't be a strong candidate for this position? (I love this question because it puts them on the spot and let's you know where you stand right away. If they give you any reasons, you will have the opportunity to clear those up.)
26. Are there any other questions I can answer for you or anything else I can provide you with?
27. What are the next steps in the interview process?
At this point, you'll want to nail down the next steps.
- If the next step is another interview, aim to get a date and time scheduled.
- If the next step is a possible offer later, ask when you should expect to hear from them or when to follow up/who to follow up with.
How to End an Interview
After you've nailed your interview and asked some of the critical questions above, you should now have a thorough understanding of the job, the company, and where you stand as a candidate for this position.
Now, always thank the interviewer for their time and give them a firm handshake.
When you get home, immediately send a “thank you” email to show how much you appreciate their time and this opportunity.
Closing Thoughts on Questions to Ask in an Interview
There you have it! Hopefully you are able to use some of these questions in your next interview to land the job!
Now go nail it, girl! Be the boss babe that you are. YOU GOT THIS! =)
If you got a job offer and used some of these questions in your interview, let me know in the comments below or in our free TFC Club Community for Women. We want to celebrate you!!!
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