You landed the interview! Did you know the interview isn’t just a chance for the hiring manager to interview you, it’s also a chance for you to get to know the company and the manager? This is an important step in the process. Not only does the company need to find out if you’re the right fit, but you need to decide if it is the right fit for you.
The Job
When it’s your turn to start asking questions, begin with questions about the job that may not have been discussed earlier in the interview. Questions such as:
- What does a typical day look like?
- Is this a new role?
- What skills is the team missing that a new hire would fill?
- Can you tell me what skills/experiences you are looking for in an ideal candidate?
- What are the biggest challenges this position may face?
Training and Development
Each job is a stepping stone to your career goal, and each job should be considered carefully to decide where it will fall in your professional development. Ask these questions to help you decide:
- Are there opportunities for advancement?
- Where have successful employees moved on to?
- What type of training is offered?
Performance
To understand how your success will be measured, you’ll want to ask these types of questions:
- How is performance evaluated in this position?
- What are the important goals you would like to see accomplished in the first 30, 60, or 90 days?
- How often is performance evaluated?
- How are employees recognized for their hard work?
Interviewer
Learn about the hiring manager by asking questions about their time at the company.
- How long have you worked at the company?
- Has your role changed?
- Why did you decide to work at the company?
- What is your favorite part about working at the company?
- What did you do before your current position?
Company
Ask about the company, the team, and the company culture.
- Where do you see the company going in the next 5 years?
- Are there any plans for growth?
- What makes you most excited about the future of the company?
- Can you tell me about who I would be working closely with?
- Which other departments would I work with?
- Who will I report to directly?
- What is the company culture like? See more company culture questions here.
Finally, it’s always best to ask about the next steps. This will hopefully give you a timeline on the process and help you decide when to follow up. Also, make sure the interviewer has all the information they need.
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