Since you’re here, there’s one crucial fact you already know: you have to ask some questions after your interview if you want a shot at the job. Show
But not just any old questions: the best questions to ask the interviewer not only give you the info you need, but also show you in a positive light. So, today we’ll prepare some great follow-up questions to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview, or even during the interview, to boost your chances of getting hired. Here’s what we’ll cover together:
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here. Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here. To feel more prepared for your interview, check: 1 Show Your Interest for the PositionBefore you can ask the larger-picture questions, make sure that you have a competent understanding of everything your position entails. Here are top questions you should absolutely ask an interviewer:
If you’re clear on the ins and outs of your position and role, you can then move on to larger and more general questions to ask an interviewer. Pro Tip: Avoid asking the interviewer yes/no questions. Just as they will save their yes/no questions mostly for the job application, your few questions posed should solicit a detailed response. Also, many of these answers can probably be found online. These are the best questions for YOU to ask in an interview. But before you get to this point in your big meeting, make sure you’ve prepped good answers to interview questions they’ll ask you: Common Job Interview Questions and Best Answers 2 Demonstrate Interest in the CompanyYou’ve shown interest in the position, but you should also show the hiring manager or HR director that you are a team player who would be proud to be part of the company. Here are some example questions to ask during an interview to demonstrate your interest in the company:
These questions show you don’t only think about yourself and how you can get your work done, but rather they portray you as someone who cares about the livelihood and success of the company as a whole. Pro Tip: How many questions to ask an interviewer? Make it at least two. One feels just marginally less irresponsible than asking none at all. Two or more make you appear prepared and pleasantly curious about your employment. Interviews are not all about interview questions and answers. You need to think about your smile, feeling calm and confident, getting a good night’s sleep, and more. Read our guide: 50+ Successful Interview Tips, Advice & Guidelines 3 Reveal You’re More Impressive Than They ThoughtSay you want to draw attention once more to that impressive degree you worked so hard to achieve. You told them on your resume, but how about asking something like this: “I’m proud to have been granted my Bachelors in International Relations and Diplomacy, and I’d love to use what I’ve learned should I get the job. Do you see me being able to utilize these skills and knowledge in this role?” How about that? You dropped it in there again, and you did it in a way that doesn’t come off like you just want a pat on the back. Let’s look at some more good questions to ask in an interview to reveal that you’re more impressive than your resume and cover letter make you out to be:
Ask intelligent questions in an interview so you can leave after making one last strong impression. Pro Tip: Avoid asking questions with possible answers that are too broad. If you have something broad to ask, split it down into multiple, bite-sized questions, and ask them one at a time. Behavioral interview questions can be hard to answer, but the STAR method is the formula to answering them perfectly. Read this guide: STAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview Questions When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free. When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better. 4 Ask About Challenges, Struggles & CompetitionAsking about the company’s pain points and current struggles will allow you to start a conversation about how you can add value to the company by fixing them. On top of that, inquiring about their competition and everyday challenges gives you insight into whether or not the position will be a good fit for you. Here are several good interview questions to ask interviewers on the company’s current challenges, struggles, and competition:
Asking questions of the company’s competition and pain points show that your mindset is already in the role and your head is in the game. This will easily impress them and make it easy to envision you in that position, as well. Pro Tip: Don’t stick to only one topic when asking the interviewer multiple questions. Show that you’re interested in every aspect of the company, not a particular item that may signal that you have a bad experience or a thorn in your side. If you ask about the company’s struggles and challenges, make sure you know best how you would answer one of the most important job interview questions interviewers ask: "Why Should We Hire You?" Best Answers (6 Proven Examples) 5 Inquire About Opportunities & FutureIt’s great to ask an interviewer about the current responsibilities of your position or the day-to-day operations of the company. However, make them see that you are a keeper by asking about growth and opportunities. Show you care about the company and the position by asking how they are going to develop or move forward. Take a look at some sample questions to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview about the company’s opportunities and future:
When you show that you care about the future success of the company, they’ll be thrilled. This is one of the best ways toward how to succeed in an interview. Pro Tip: And once again, the biggest no-no of all when they ask if you have any questions for them is to say, “No, nothing comes to mind.” This shows a lack of interest and preparation. Always ask at least two questions to the interviewer! Want to really know how to nail an interview? You’ve got to have a detailed response ready when they ask you to tell them about yourself. Read this: The Perfect Answer for Tell Me About Yourself [7 Examples] 6 Avoid Improper Questions & Wrap It UpLet’s be honest—you need the money; that’s just about the biggest reason for wanting this job. However, you shouldn’t make it so blatantly obvious. You do not want your hiring manager to think you’re only interested in compensation. Keep questions about salaries, promotions, benefits, perks, and other compensatory items out of your interview. Also, we mentioned that asking about the work culture is a great way to show your interest in the company. However, if they have a web page dedicated to explaining their company culture, like IBM and Netflix do, then asking this will make you look like you couldn’t be bothered to do even minimal research or preparation. Another common mistake is to inquire during the interview about how that interview went or if you got the job. Save this for the follow-up email, or, better yet, give them time to approach you with their decision. Finally, don’t exude impatience by asking when you’ll hear back from them. These are all big no-nos. When faced with the employer asking, “So, do you have any questions for me?” here are some of the worst final questions to ask interviewers:
Unlike what your grade school teachers may have taught you, there are stupid questions when it comes to interviews. Most of them are “me” questions, those where you put yourself before the interests of the company. Pro Tip: Don’t ask too many questions, either. You don’t want to look like you didn’t do any research before the interview, and you shouldn’t overstay your welcome. Take hints. If they look like they’re losing interest, wrap it up! There are many ways to know how to answer interview questions, but we’ll give you the best answers to interview questions about why you want to work there: Best Answers for the “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” Interview Question [+8 Examples] Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like: See more cover letter templates and start writing. The interviewer asks, “Well, that’s about it. Do you have any questions for me?” You have to ask something to show that you’re prepared and that you give a damn. Make sure you ask at least two good questions in an interview:
If you follow these steps, you’ll know how to end an interview. You’ll be sure to be the most impressive interviewee for miles. And once you’ve put the interview behind you, make sure you follow up with a thank-you note! Do you have any questions on, well, questions to ask a potential employer? (You don’t have to say yes this time.) Give us a shout in the comments below and we will answer your question. Thanks for reading! What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?Smart questions to ask about the interviewer. How long have you been with the company?. Has your role changed since you've been here?. What did you do before this?. Why did you come to this company?. What's your favorite part about working here?. What's one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?. What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer at the end?20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interview. What do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ... . How would you describe your organisation's culture? ... . Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide? ... . What have past employees done to succeed in this position?. What are the top 3 questions to ask an interviewer?7 good questions to ask at an interview. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role? ... . How could I impress you in the first three months? ... . Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company? ... . Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?. What are some intelligent questions to ask in an interview?7 smart questions to ask in a job interview. What does “success” mean in this role? ... . Am I a good fit for the company? ... . What challenges did my predecessor face? ... . What was the last person in this role missing? ... . Do you have any doubts about my profile? ... . Where will this role go in the future? ... . What is the company culture like?. |