Knowing what questions to ask during an interview can help you make the right decision when making a career move. When searching for a new job, the interview process is just as important for candidates as it is for employers. While prospective managers are learning about you and deciding if you would be a good fit in their organization, you should be doing be doing the same with them.
15 Questions to Ask During an Interview
The best way to begin the decision process is by gathering information about the company you’re interviewing with. This can be done in a couple ways – such as researching your potential employers (when filling out the application) or asking thoughtful questions during the interview. By conducting your own ‘interview’, you’ll be able to collect the information you need to make a knowledgeable decision –– and it’ll show management that you are a serious and committed candidate. Below are 15 popular questions to ask during an interview collected by Glassdoor, The Muse, and Zety.com.
1. What does it look like during the busiest and toughest times for this role?
2. What would my first week at work look like?
3. Could you tell me a little bit about the person I would report to directly?
4. How does employee feedback get incorporated into day-to-day operations?
5. What could you tell me about the company that isn’t widely known?
6. What is the work culture like here?
7. What are the prospects for growth?
8. Where you would like the company to be in five years?
9. What gets you most excited about the company’s future?
10. What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked?
11. What kind of leadership/management style do you promote in the company?
12. What types of people are the most successful here?
13. What are the current focus areas for the company as a whole?
14. What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
15. How frequently do employees make themselves available outside of normal working hours?
Now you know what questions to ask during an interview, but that’s not all you need to know. Even though asking questions is a good way to make a (positive) impression with interviews, it’s just as important to recognize the answers and if they align with your goals. Carefully listen to the answers of each question you ask, because they are good indicators as to what it’s like to work with the company.
Whether you’re looking to make a career move or simply wanting to earn some extra cash with a side gig, asking these detailed questions will show employers that you’ve invested time and effort into finding an ideal position that meets your experience and needs.