10 Job Interview Questions You Should Ask

Many job seekers focus so hard on answering interview questions well that they forget
something very important: You are there to ask questions, too.

Asking the right questions at an interview is important for two reasons:

First, when done correctly, the questions you ask confirm your qualifications as a candidate for
the position.

Second, you are interviewing the employer just as much as the employer is interviewing you.
This is your opportunity to find out if this is an organization where you want to work.

3 Things You Want to Achieve

When you ask the right questions, you want to achieve three things:

 Make sure the interviewer has no reservations about you.

 Demonstrate your interest in the employer.

 Find out if you feel the employer is the right fit for you.

There are an infinite number of questions you could ask during a job interview, but if you stay
focused on those three goals, the questions should come easy to you.

I recommend preparing three to five questions for each interview, and actually ask three of
them. (I like to have more prepared than is needed because some of my questions might be
answered in the course of the interview.)

10 Questions You Might Ask In a Job Interview

Here are 10 interview questions you could ask, and why:

1. What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate? This is a great open-
ended question that will have the interviewer put his or her cards on the table and state exactly
what the employer is looking for. If the interviewer mentions something you didn’t cover yet,
now is your chance.

2. What is the single largest problem facing your staff and would I be in a position
to help you solve this problem? This question not only shows that you are immediately
thinking about how you can help the team, it also encourages the interviewer to envision you
working at the position.

3. What have you enjoyed most about working here? This question allows the
interviewer to connect with you on a more personal level, sharing his or her feelings. The answer
will also give you unique insight into how satisfied people are with their jobs there. If the
interviewer is pained to come up with an answer to your question, it’s a big red flag.
4. What constitutes success at this position and this firm or nonprofit? This question
shows your interest in being successful there, and the answer will show you both how to get
ahead and whether it is a good fit for you.

5. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? I love this question because it’s
gutsy. Also, you’ll show that you’re confident in your skills and abilities.

6. Do you offer continuing education and professional training? This is a great

positioning question, showing that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and
ultimately growing with the employer.

7. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with? Notice how the question is
phrased; it assumes you will get the job. This question also tells you about the people you will
interact with on a daily basis, so listen to the answer closely.

8. What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth? This question
should be customized for your particular needs. Do your homework on the employer’s site
beforehand and mention a new product or service it’s launching to demonstrate your
research and interest. The answer to the question will give you a good idea of where the
employer is headed.

9. Who previously held this position? This seemingly straightforward question will tell you
whether that person was promoted or fired or if he/she quit or retired. That, in turn, will provide
a clue to whether: there’s a chance for advancement, employees are unhappy, the place is in
turmoil or the employer has workers around your age.

10. What is the next step in the process? This is the essential last question and one you
should definitely ask. It shows that you’re interested in moving along in the process and invites
the interviewer to tell you how many people are in the running for the position.

With luck, the answer you’ll hear will be: There is no next step, you’re hired!