What questions should I ask in an interview?

Getting ready for a job interview involves more than dressing the part and answering questions. Usually, an employer ends an interview by allowing you to ask questions, and you should take advantage of this opportunity. Doing so demonstrates your preparation, interest in the role, and understanding of the job. Here, we explore six questions you should ask an interviewer.

6 questions you should ask an interviewer

Below are six questions to ask during an interview. For each one, we explain why you should ask it and what to listen for in a response.

What does a typical workday look like?

Why is this a good question? This is one of the best questions to ask an interviewer because it helps you understand your daily responsibilities and how you can use your expertise to excel. Moreover, the quality of the interviewer's answer may allow you to gauge unspoken expectations. 

What should you listen for in a response? Ideally, the interviewer's response should describe your core duties thoroughly. That way, you know the role is clearly defined, and you can understand the expected outcomes.

What does success in this position look like?

Why is this a good question? It's another way of asking what the employer is looking for in their ideal candidate, so this question helps you determine whether you're qualified for the job. It also shows you care about achieving success and doing right by the employer. 

What should you listen for in a response? A good response details desired outcomes and connects them to your core duties. If the interviewer can't provide clear information, it could be a red flag that suggests they aren't setting you up for success.

"A good response details desired outcomes and connects them to your core duties."

What happens when someone makes a mistake?

Why is this a good question? Mistakes are common in the workplace. Level-headed responses to those mistakes often aren't so easily visible. You want to be sure that the company views the errors employees commit as learning experiences rather than opportunities to point fingers and vent frustrations. 

What should you listen for in a response? The best response suggests an element of company culture that aims at identifying mistakes and correcting them. When problem-solving is part of an official mandate or protocol, it may point to an overall positive environment.

How would you describe the company culture?

Why is this a good question? Asking about the company culture demonstrates your interest in understanding how the business operates and how well you may fit within it. You might also learn more about the organization's values and assess how they align with yours.

What should you listen for in a response? You want a response that avoids overused platitudes, such as "family" and "fast-paced environment." A great response will describe how the organization inspires motivation and drives success. A caring employer may also take the question as an opportunity to praise the diverse teams that enable the company to succeed.

What can I expect from the onboarding process?

Why is this a good question? Onboarding is what acclimates new hires to the company culture. A well-thought-out and expertly executed onboarding process can make the difference between successful integration and a feeling of professional disconnection. 

What should you listen for in a response? First, you want a response showing the employer has an established onboarding process. Second, you'd like the interviewer to take you step-by-step through that process to validate it and prepare you for the experience.

What do you like about the company?

Why is this a good question? Think of this question as the candidate's version of an interviewer's staple question, "Why do you want to join this company?" It serves the same purpose, inviting the interviewer to outline their values and desires and how the company fulfills them. It can reveal whether the environment is worth staying in for the long term.

What should you listen for in a response? Listen for exact qualities and enthusiasm. Someone who enjoys their work environment should be able to talk about the elements of the job that appeal to them. They should convey a genuinely positive emotion, even if it's subtle.

Best practices for asking questions in an interview

Here are some tips for questions to ask at the end of an interview:

• Plan ahead. Know beforehand precisely what questions you want to ask. The questions above are just a starting point. Consider your values and interests to think up others.
• Revise in real time. The interviewer may answer some of your questions during the interview, so you should note these and remind yourself not to ask them at the end. You could also think up other questions based on what the interviewer says.
• Ask follow-up questions. The interviewer's responses may raise questions you hadn't considered, and the answers to these can help you better understand the role.
• Treat the interview like a conversation. That means asking questions during the interview, not just at the end. This approach can draw out more insights and make you a more memorable candidate.

One thing you should avoid at the end of the interview is to say you don't have questions. Demonstrate your eagerness to learn and develop with the company and try to obtain responses that can reveal its hidden qualities. That way, you stand a better chance of knowing whether you want the job.

Of course, you must impress the hiring manager with your qualifications before getting to the interview stage. Use CareerBuilder to upload your resume and make it searchable to prospective employers.

More tips about acing your interview

It's great to make it to the interview shortlist, but it's an even bigger deal if you can successfully set yourself apart from the competition.

Being let go by a previous employer can complicate your future job prospects unless you know how to explain your situation to an interviewer.

Make sure you're prepared for a phone screen or virtual interview before you meet an interviewer in person.