What Questions Should You Ask Your Interviewer?

You did it—you landed the interview! Now it’s time to get ready to put your best foot forward. One practice that will set you apart from other candidates is not only preparing to answer questions but preparing questions to ask your interviewer.

Asking thoughtful questions not only communicates your interest in the company but your enthusiasm to land the role.

How do you know what questions to ask the interviewer? Check out our list to get you started.

Sample Questions For Your Interviewer

From the day-to-day responsibilities of the job to the soft skills you’ll need to succeed, there are plenty of directions you can take your questions. Remember, great questions demonstrate you’ve reviewed the company, job description, and maybe even the industry. Here are some examples of questions you can ask.

I noticed this specific responsibility in the job description. Could you tell me more about what that looks like day-to-day and week-to-week?
How can this role support the team’s current initiatives?
What are the gaps in your work and on your team that filling this position helps you fix?
Tell me about the company’s culture. How does your team live out this culture?
Can you describe how your team collaborates with other teams and departments?
If I were to step into this role, what does success look like 3-6 months from now?
How does your team typically communicate? What does that communication look like in high-stress periods?
What are some immediate initiatives or projects that I might step into in this role?

It’s a great idea to prepare 5-8 questions ahead of time. Don’t expect to get through all of them, but having a list this size will set you up for success—especially if any of your questions get answered organically during the interview. Plan to ask three questions, and if you have more time, keep asking from your list.

Types of Questions for Each Interview Round

The types of questions you ask your interviewer may vary depending on which interview round you’re entering. No matter if you have two rounds or five rounds, here are a few things to keep in mind as you ideate questions.

Initial Screenings and Interviews

Your first round of interviews is usually held over the phone or virtually. During a screening call—usually with a recruiter—you will likely have a chance to talk about yourself but not much time to ask questions that dig into the details of the role. These calls are great opportunities to ask any questions you have about the job description, salary, and any other information included within the job posting.

In your first interview beyond a screening, it’s a great idea to prepare questions like the ones listed above. These interviews are typically one-on-one with the direct supervisor of the open role. They’re a great opportunity to get a sense of how the supervisor might lead you. Focus on asking questions about how you might fit into the team, how the team operates from the supervisor’s perspective, and what the company’s culture is like.

Mid-Round Interviews

Secondary interviews are usually a mix of interviews with the direct supervisor and a panel of people on the team or within the department. These interviews are typically held in person. To stand out in a panel interview, research the panel members beforehand to tailor your questions to their roles and recent initiatives. Sample questions could include:

You work closely with this role. If I were to step into this position, what challenges would this solve for you?
I saw you worked on this specific project recently. Tell me about your experience. What did you learn?

Final Interviews

Your final interviews are usually led by decision-makers. This round is when you can ask questions about specific aspects of the role and about growth opportunities at the company. You’ll want to steer away from questions about the job description and focus instead on questions about leadership, team dynamics, and success in the role.

Tips For Coming Up With Additional Questions

For each interview round, it’s a good idea to prepare a new list of questions. By tailoring your questions to individual interviewers, you present yourself as curious and enthusiastic in your research about the company.

Here are some final tips for ideating questions to ask the interviewer.

Use “I” statements in your questions like, “If I were in this role, how could I best support you as my leader?” This allows the leader to imagine you in the role even before they’re ready to offer you the job.
Remember to research not only the specifics of your role but also the recent projects the entire team has worked on.
Jot down additional questions during your interview on a notepad. Active listening goes a long way in an interview.
If you have time, close with a personal question like “What do you enjoy most about working here?” or “What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on at this company?” to end on a point of connection.

Your questions let you naturally steer the interview conversation towards your strengths. Put thought into the questions you ask, remain curious, and bring it all back to the value you could add to the company.