Four Questions to Ask at Your Next Interview

Posted by in Career Advice


During almost any job interview, there comes a moment when the person conducting the interview asks if you have any questions for them. It's a moment that many eager job seekers dread. In spite of having answered all sorts of questions about their previous work history, their strengths and weaknesses and how they work with others, something about this particular question makes people feel like they're being put on the spot.

 

I can't tell you how many times I have breezed through an interview, created rapport and felt that things were going great only to freeze up when they asked if I had any questions. Instead of asking thoughtful questions that clearly demonstrated my sincere interest in the job, I would say, “No, no. I think you covered everything.” Then, I would walk out and by the time I made it to my car, I would be shaking my head and kicking myself for not having asked any questions at all. I'm not shy at all, so reacting like a deer caught in the headlights just isn't like me. I have this theory that after going through all of the interview question and answering anything thrown my way, I just get question fatigue. By the time it's my turn, I just can't think straight anymore.

 

It seems that I'm not the only one who has experienced this. However, asking questions is the best way to express your interest in the company, to demonstrate that you have done some research about the job and also, it's your time to find out if the job is going to be a good fit for you. It's easy to forget that while you're selling yourself during an interview, the company is trying to impress you as well.

 

To combat this problem, it's very helpful to write down the questions you want to ask and bring the notes with you to the interview. This way, when you're put on the spot, you can look down at your notes and make sure you don't forget anything.

 

To help you get started, here are four questions you should always ask at your next interview:

 

  1. How would you describe the company's culture and philosophy?
     
  2. As an employee, how can I exceed your expectations?
     
  3. How can I help the company reach its goals?
     
  4. What excites you about coming into work?

 

These questions allow you to find out more about what the company believes is important and lets you know, up-front, how employee success will be measured. As an added bonus, in order to answer them, the interviewer will have to attempt to picture you in the job. Be sure to listen carefully to their answer about what excites them about their job. If they don't have a clear answer or don't seem to be particular excited about what they do, it's definitely a red flag. If the hiring manager hates his job, how do you think the other employees feel?

 

Asking questions is the best way to learn more about the job, to show your sincere interests in the company and to impress a hiring manager. What do you think? Do you typically ask questions at the end of an interview? What other questions do you think are important? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

 

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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks Arlin. I don't think that the question is too forward. However, if someone isn't comfortable asking what the interviewer is excited about, then the question could easily be re-worded. How about, "What do you love most about your job?" While it might build rapport to talk about what you, personally, are excited about in regards to the job, this really isn't the proper time. During the answer portion, you can mention the things that you like about the job. When it's your turn to ask the questions, it's important to ask thoughtful questions that show that you know something about the job or company, and that make it clear that you're interviewing them as well.
  • Arlin L
    Arlin L
    Melissa, I like your questions.  Numbers 2 & 3 are tied heavily to you understanding what the position you're applying for involves. It may come across that you didn't read the job description carefully, or research it. Number 4 may come across as you getting a bit too personal with this stranger, so how about if you share what you think would excite you about the position you've applied for? It seems that this could build more rapport with this person. Thanks for the article.
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks, Kim. Taking notes and bringing them with you is a great idea.
  • Kim C.
    Kim C.
    I think the approach to asking questions depends on the type of interview. When I called for an interview time, I asked about the available position. The positions were made known to me halfway through the interview.  I did ask half of questions I had prepared.If I make the next round of interviews, I would   ask questions 2-4.  An interviewer's remarks can inferred the culture and philosophy et al. However, in some instances that has proven to be good spin.
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks for taking a moment to share your thoughts. As Namugga mentioned, writing down questions and bringing the notes with you can really help beat the tongue tied nervousness that keeps many of us from speaking up.
  • vicki p
    vicki p
    Your advice is vey good. Thank you!!
  • NAMUGGA F
    NAMUGGA F
    This article has taught me to note down the questions that one is going to ask in an interview because i usually get nervous and find my self not asking questions. It even gives you more confidence. thank you so much for this article, God bless you
  • betty a
    betty a
    very informative
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks so much for the great comments!Tom- taking notes is a great idea.Karen - those are excellent questions.
  • Tom C
    Tom C
    Great article, it helps to write your questions down in a notebook, take the notes with you and during the interview jot down some facts they share with you.  Then when the ask if you have any questions, just look at your notes and you should be fine.
  • EDWIN C
    EDWIN C
    I think it is very helpful!
  • Michael A
    Michael A
    Thank you for the insite.
  • Mark F
    Mark F
    Very interesting. never thought about asking these types of questions. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
  • Clavaire W
    Clavaire W
    The info is excellent to have and it's food for thought.
  • William B
    William B
    Good insight,very helpful
  • Karen U
    Karen U
    These are nice questions. I can think of a couple more that may be helpful:To whom does the position report?Can you tell me more about my day-to-day responsibilities?
  • Joseph A
    Joseph A
    this is a very good article. It will surely help someone like me,because I have been to an interview in the pass and I was unable to ask any question,when the interviewer ask me if I have any question for him. Great article again,keep it up.
  • Daniel C
    Daniel C
    I keep a list of questions that I print out before going into an interview. These question can be used at any interview such as "What changes do you see coming to my department in the next 3 months?" Or another one "What challenges face a Network Engineer on their first day, or day 101?" Adjust as needed.... Just try to be prepared.
  • Pamela B
    Pamela B
    This was very helpful and has happened to me on occassion. I will use this from now on.
  • Maria U
    Maria U
    For me will the culture of the company. There is any people of my age working in the are, if there are people of other languages. Should I fit in the position besides my skills. If you feeling unconfortable with your surroundings  is not motivation to coming to work 5 or 6 days a week.
  •  Kathy P
    Kathy P
    Loved the article and the comments posted. I loved the one "Based on what you know about me so far, if you were to hire me, where do you see me 5 years from now?". Also, I find it helpful to ask the hiring manager what their management style is. Ie...Are they a hands on or hands off manager. This can help you to determine to some degree if they tend to micromanage or not. Great discussion!
  •  Dan T
    Dan T
    Great information to carry with oneself to a job interview. Appreciate the article.  I would like to see an article on how to obtain an interview.
  • Rebecca Q
    Rebecca Q
    I really liked the article! I'm one of those people that freeze up when they ask me that I get stage fright.i wish I could over come that problem.
  • Cheryl C
    Cheryl C
    Good questions.
  •  Kurt s
    Kurt s
    Best advice i've seen yet!
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