Questions to Ask in the Job Interview

In every job interview there will be an opportunity for you to ask your interviewer some questions. Take some time to come up with some questions that you want to ask ahead of time so that you don’t fumble around for something to say.


When you don’t have any questions ready to ask it sends the message that you haven’t really put any thought into the job. You want to avoid asking questions that answered on the company website or in any written literature that you’ve been given prior to the interview. You want to ask questions that you’ve put some thought into so that you show your interest in getting the job. The two questions that you shouldn’t ask unless your interviewer brings them up are about salary and job benefits. These are issues that an interviewer might or might not bring up. Many times talk of salary and job benefits is left for the second interview.


The interview process should be looked at as a two way interview. Not only are you being asked questions about yourself and your job experience, you are also the one asking questions so that you can sell yourself. When you ask informed questions you leave a good impression with the knowledge that you bring to the interview table.


Some of the questions that you can ask include:


• What are the values of the company?


• What is the company’s mission statement?


• What are the goals of the company and were these goals met last year?


• What will be my biggest challenge if I get the job?


• What is it in my resume that attracted me to you?


• When can I expect to hear back with a decision?


• If you offer me this job, why should I accept it?


• What things do you expect me to accomplish if you give me this job?


Don’t forget to ask questions that involve the management of others if you’re looking for a mid level entry position. Some of these questions include (1) how much authority will I have to run my own department, (2) how many employees will I be supervising, (3) may I please see the company organizational chart, and (4) will any employees be let go or transferred from my department?


The better prepared that you are to ask questions at the end of your interview the bigger impact you’ll leave with your interviewer. Questions show that you are interested in the job and have taken the time to be ready for your interview.