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No matter how prepared you are, a job interview is a nerve-wracking experience. You have to answer a torrent of questions on the spot and sell yourself to a hiring manager — sometimes even a room full of strangers. And when it comes time for you to do the asking, will you be ready?
These days, it’s pretty standard for an interviewer to conclude by asking if you have any questions about the job. And what you ask can make or break your chances.
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We talked to recruiters, hiring managers and people who landed jobs for the best questions to ask if you want to impress the interviewer and glean important information about your potential new gig.
1. What made you choose my resume for an interview?
“As someone who has been hiring interns and junior staff for the past 10 years, the most memorable question I had a candidate ask me was this one. It flipped the script on me because I was so used to asking ‘Why should we hire you?’ Instead, I had to tell her what I liked about her experience and application, which is absolutely great insight to receive during the interview process. It’s like getting free career advice.” ― Laura Meditz, vice president of Poston Communications
2. What are the biggest challenges faced by your company/department today?
“I like asking this question to get a real sense of what they feel is most needed in their business. It could be a specific skill, improved processes or just additional resources to handle workload. Answers to this question will help you understand what your job will entail and give you the opportunity to explain how you could tackle your employer’s biggest challenge. On the other hand, if their biggest struggle doesn’t match your skills or expectations, it could be a useful red flag before accepting a new job.” ― Daniel Buchuk, director of communications at Bringg
3. What makes you different from your competitors?
When I applied for my current job, I asked questions about the company’s competitors and how they differentiated themselves. This is a good question to ask because companies want to see that you are diligent enough to do your homework in advance of the meeting and have a genuine interest in the field you are moving into.” ― Casey Hill, blogger at Musings of Entrepreneurship
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4. Can you give me an example of how you live out the company values?
“I like to find out what values the company promotes on their career page — passion, integrity, accountability, etc. — and I’ll ask the interviewer how they live one or more of those values, especially as a manager. If the interviewer is dumbfounded, it typically shows that the values are nothing more than empty messaging. If they can answer the question, it shows the company believes in and instills its values in employees and the interviewer is probably a thoughtful manager.” ― Jennifer Bewley of Get Uncuffed
5. What is your training program like?
“I have found that reputable companies will answer this question by saying that the training period is as long as a new employee needs. Training that is rushed or fast-tracked to meet a quota or deadline isn’t an effective way to find reputable and reliable employees. Any new job comes with a learning curve; a good company will offer thorough training and help employees to obtain all the skills they need to be successful in the company.” ― Carlee Linden, writer for Best Company
6. What recent diversity hiring and promotion efforts are you most excited about?
“As a woman of color who is also very keen on advancing in her career, I often ask questions that would give me an insight into the company’s diversity efforts. I also almost always follow this question by requesting a tour of the office. You’d be surprised what you can glean just by walking around. It gives me an insight into whether their response is canned or truly embodied by the organization.” ― Stella Odogwu, founder and CEO of Intelle Coaching Solutions
7. What do you enjoy most about working here?
“First off, if the interviewer can’t answer this question, there should be sirens going off in your head that this might not be the greatest place to work. That said, most of the time, it allows an opportunity to get personal with the interviewer and allow them to talk about themselves for a change. This mutual exchange results in a stronger bond while allowing you to learn more about some of the great things the company has to offer.” ― Alex Benjamin, professional recruiter and owner of resume writing service Recruiter Written
8. What are the most successful team members doing differently from the average team member?
“If there is one thing that interviewees could do that would help them stand out from other candidates, it would be to be bold, speak with confidence and ask questions that hint you are a high performer who is looking to succeed with the company. This question shows drive to outperform mediocracy while also learning more about the expectations of the work required to achieve excellence in the position.” ― Emily LaRusch, CEO and founder of Back Office Betties
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9. How will you know whether you hired the right person three months from now?
“I love this question because as a job seeker, it gives you a clear idea of the hiring manager’s goals, expectations and objectives for you if you are hired. It also gives you a chance to pause and consider if the answer sounds like things you will enjoy. It can add a bit more clarity to the job and the results the company is hoping to achieve by filling this position.” ― Helen Godfrey, owner of career counseling service the Authentic Path
10. How would your co-workers describe your management style?
“It’s important to ask about your potential manager’s leadership style but not just what they think about themselves. Asking what their peers and direct reports would say of their management style is key ― even better if they’re open to you talking to one of their direct reports about their leadership. A manager can make or break a job, so getting more context around the people you’ll be working with most closely will help in decision making.” ― Julia Missaggia, human resources director at CMI/Compas
11. Can you show me around before we wrap up?
“This question allows applicants to differentiate themselves at the end of their interviews by creating a unique experience with the interviewer that won’t be shared among other candidates. In fact, I can still recall my interview many years back with a candidate who asked me this very question. It breaks hiring managers out of their routines and forces them to leave the interview room and interact more naturally with the candidate.” ― Peter Yang, co-founder of ResumeGo
A few more tips to nail your interview:
Stick to open-ended questions. Even though job interviews can feel like interrogations, they’re supposed to be conversations between you and the interviewer. To keep the conversation flowing, avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
Don’t ask questions with obvious answers. You shouldn’t ask questions just for the sake of asking; interviewers will see right through you. Do your research ahead of time and avoid asking for basic information that could easily be found on the company website.
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Be respectful of everyone’s time. The interviewer likely has many other job interviews to conduct on top of meetings and regular job duties. Pick two or three important questions to ask rather than barraging them with all 11. Even better, try to weave in your questions throughout the conversation instead of waiting until the end of the interview.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote to Carly Kuper. Julia Missaggia at CMI/Compas was the source of the quote.
FAQs
What are the top 5 questions to ask an 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?
- Take your time. ...
- Think aloud. ...
- Admit you're unsure. ...
- Use flexible thinking. ...
- Repeat the question. ...
- Ask follow-up questions. ...
- Offer to come back to the question later. ...
- Acknowledge the question's value.
It lets them know you've done your research. Additionally, it gives the interviewer a chance to get to know you because the types of questions you ask can reveal a lot. So, don't disappoint them.
What is the star technique in interviews? ›The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.
What are the 3 most popular questions asked at any interview? ›- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in working for this company?
- Tell me about your education.
- Why have you chosen this particular field?
- Describe your best/worst boss.
- In a job, what interests you most/least?
- What is your major weakness?
- What does a typical day look like? ...
- How could I impress you in the first three months? ...
- What opportunities are there for training and progression? ...
- Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years? ...
- Can you describe the working culture of the organisation?
“Great!” “I'm doing really well, thank you,” or “Fantastic!” are all good ways to answer.
Is it okay to say I don't know in an interview? ›Is it okay to say I don't know in an interview? Yes, it is okay to say I don't know in an interview. However, you shouldn't leave it at that. Explain how you'd go about approaching the problem or finding the answer, or offer to find the answer and send it to them after the interview.
What's your greatest weakness? ›Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.
Which part of the interview is the most important? ›The first minute of an interview is critical; interviewers often make first and lasting impressions on how you are dressed, on the firmness of your handshake, on your confidence, and on all elements in that initial few minutes.
What are the three C's for interviews? ›
When it comes to interviewing, confidence, competence, and credibility are essential tools for success and often elude even the most experienced investigators.
What is the rule of 3 in interviewing? ›Instead, remember the rule of three. What three things do you want the interviewer to remember about you? What three things are you most proud of in your life to date and why? What three extra things would you be looking for if you were interviewing someone for this role?
What are 3 questions not to ask in an interview? ›- Questions You Should Never Ask in a Job Interview.
- Anything Related to Salary or Benefits. ...
- Questions That Start With “Why?” ...
- “Who is Your Competition?” ...
- “How Often Do Reviews Occur?” ...
- “May I Arrive Early or Leave Late as Long as I Get My Hours In?” ...
- “Can I Work From Home?” ...
- “Would You Like to See My References?”
“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”
Do employers interview best candidate first? ›Some hiring managers may choose to interview the strongest candidates first. This can be advantageous for a number of reasons. By interviewing the top candidate early, employers can gauge other candidates' performances against the benchmark set by the best candidate.
What kind of person are you how to answer? ›- I am passionate about my work. ...
- I am ambitious and driven. ...
- I am highly organised. ...
- I am a people person. ...
- I am a natural leader. ...
- I am result oriented. ...
- I am an excellent communicator.
Say “I'm okay, thanks” if you aren't feeling well but want to be polite. If you are feeling ill or a little sick, you can use this response to let the person know this in a polite way. The person can then move on with the conversation or ask you more probing questions.
How do you respond to how are you when you are not well? ›Here are some possible answers: "I'm still not feeling well." "I think I'm getting worse." "I am much better now, thank you."
What way should you not say thank you for the interview? ›Don't write a note saying you're qualified unless you can back it up with some specifics. Ideally, the specifics should come directly from the interview. For example, perhaps the interviewer asked about how you perform on a team, and you gave a great answer.
How long should your answers be in an interview? ›Interview answers should be 30 seconds to four minutes, depending on the context of the questions. Your response may be short (30 seconds to two minutes) if the question is simple. For example, if the hiring manager asks you to describe your strengths, you might speak for 90 seconds to explain where you're proficient.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? ›
Answer for “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” “In five years, I see myself as an integral part of the company who has helped contribute to the growth and success of the organization. I would like to continue developing my skills and knowledge in order to be able to take on more responsibility within the company.
What not to do at an interview? ›- Not Doing Your Research. ...
- Turning Up Late. ...
- Dressing Inappropriately. ...
- Fidgeting With Unnecessary Props. ...
- Poor Body Language. ...
- Unclear Answering and Rambling. ...
- Speaking Negatively About Your Current Employer. ...
- Not Asking Questions.
It doesn't mean anything, it's just a pleasant remark. When you are accepted or rejected for the job, you will be notified formally, not by vague remarks at the end of an interview. In the meantime, keep applying and interviewing for other opportunities that interest you.
How do you rock an interview? ›- 1) Avoid talking about what you're not.
- 2) Tell a story about yourself.
- 3) Allow yourself to be vulnerable.
- 4) Don't hide who you are.
- 5) Pose thoughtful questions to your hiring manager.
- Creativity.
- Discipline.
- Patience.
- Respectfulness.
- Determination.
- Dedication.
- Honesty.
- Versatility.
- Communication skills.
- People skills.
- Writing skills.
- Analytical skills.
- Honesty.
- Leadership skills.
- Patience.
- Writing skills.
The first thing you should do when answering “why should we hire you?” is to highlight any skills and professional experience that are relevant to the position you're applying for. To make your answer all the more valid, make sure to always back up everything you say with examples, experiences, and achievements.
What is an excellent question to ask the interviewer? ›- What are your expectations for me in this role?
- What's the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 90 days?
- What's the performance review process like here? ...
- What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
- 1st step: 30 seconds (you lay the foundations)
- 2nd step: 1 minute (you give a framework to your motivation)
- 3rd step: 30 seconds (you explain why you are interested in this company and not in another)
Talk about specific examples of how you can help this company achieve their goals and highlight any relevant transferrable skills that will make you stand out as the right candidate. Write down any recent achievements you can talk about or any challenges you've faced recently that might be related to this new job.
How long should be Tell me about yourself? ›
– Keep Your Answer Short, to About 30 Seconds or Less
(Yes, it should be that quick!) Time yourself to find out how long you're talking, and you'll see that 30 seconds is just about right. Any more than that, and it can start to sound like rambling.
- Giving a great presentation at work.
- Beating sales targets.
- Training for and completing a marathon.
- Organizing a successful charity event.
- Mentoring a coworker or fellow student.
When answering, mention what your top strengths are, provide examples on how you've used them in the past, and finally, describe the results you've gotten. Be super specific with your answers. Don't just say “I'm good at X” - really dive deep and give the interviewer a comprehensive answer.
What can you bring to the company? ›- your enthusiasm for the profession and the employer and your desire to make your mark.
- your personal qualities, such as your drive and willingness to learn.
- the skills the employer seeks and how you have demonstrated them in the past – your answer should show why you would be competent in the job.
The best colors to wear to an interview are ones that are neutral such as black, navy, gray and brown. White is also an appropriate neutral color for a shirt or blouse. Depending on your preference, you can also add a bit of color to an interview outfit to introduce your own personality.
Which of the following should you not do after an interview? ›- Harass the recruiter. We know that waiting for an answer can be stressful, but this is not a reason for sending several emails and calling the recruiter 10 times. ...
- Stop looking for a job. ...
- Lose touch with the recruiter.
Stay away from questions or comments that make you seem uninformed, says Amanda Davis, director of business operations for recruitment and consulting firm Vaco. She's heard of candidates asking, “So what does this company do?” or not know the job for which they were interviewing.
How do you introduce yourself? ›A self-introduction should include your name and occupation (or desired occupation) and key facts that will help you make an impression on the person you're communicating with. In a few sentences, cover the most important things others need to know about you.
How do you handle stress and pressure? ›- Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and how you respond to them. ...
- Develop healthy responses. ...
- Establish boundaries. ...
- Take time to recharge. ...
- Learn how to relax. ...
- Talk to your supervisor. ...
- Get some support.
Sample answers:
I am a hard-working and driven individual who isn't afraid to face a challenge. I'm passionate about my work and I know how to get the job done. I would describe myself as an open and honest person who doesn't believe in misleading other people and tries to be fair in everything I do.
What are powerful questions to ask during an interview? ›
- What are your expectations for me in this role?
- What's the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 90 days?
- What's the performance review process like here? ...
- What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
- "I am grateful for interviewing with you today. You have given me a clear overview of the position. ...
- "Thank you for making time to interview me for the open role. I am thrilled about the prospect of working in this position and being a part of a highly reputable team."
The best questions will come as a result of listening to the questions the interviewer asks you. A good response to the interviewer asking, "Do you have any questions?" would be: "Yes, I do. From what you've been asking during the interview, it sounds like you have a problem with customer retention.
How do you close an interview? ›- Ask specific and well-thought-out questions about the position and company. ...
- Reiterate your qualifications for the job. ...
- Inquire if the interviewer needs any additional information or documentation. ...
- Address any issues. ...
- Restate your interest in the position.
- Do your research.
- Understand your “why.”
- Be prepared for uncommon interview formats.
- Remember to be yourself.
- Prepare to ask questions.
- Ask for help.
Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.
Why do you say thank you at the end of an interview? ›A thank-you note is a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and organization. “First, it is a basic appreciation of the time the interviewer spent with you,” Smith said. “Second, it is a signal to the interviewer that you are aware of higher-level interpersonal skills.
Is it OK to be nervous at an interview? ›It's natural to feel anxious before an interview. But as these tips show, by preparing well and adopting the right attitude you can learn to control your pre-interview nerves and channel them into something positive.
Is it OK to tell an interviewer that you have other interviews? ›According to Lauren Milligan, founder and CEO of ResuMAYDAY, you shouldn't mention other interviews you've scheduled or other companies you might want to work for. “Letting the interviewer know that you are interviewing elsewhere immediately makes them less interested in you.
How long does it take to get a job offer after an interview? ›How long does it take for HR to approve a job offer? The average time to get a job offer after an interview is 10 to 14 days. However, this can extend to over a month or even six to eight weeks, depending on the position.