What questions should you ask at the end of a job interview?

Nearing the end of a job interview can feel like nearing the end of a marathon. You’ve prepared, paced yourself, and now the finish line is in sight. Hopefully, you feel confident that you’ll make it to the next round or get the job offer. Then your interviewer throws this question at you: Do you have any questions for me? 

No, it’s not a trick question. But the kinds of questions you ask (or don’t) your interviewer can reveal how serious you are about this position and how well you prepared for the interview beyond polishing your resume and Googling the company.  

But what to ask? First, list anything and everything you’d want to know about the company. Then, go through and do a quick internet search to ensure you cannot easily find the answers to these questions online. Once you’ve validated the quality of your questions, consider ordering them in order of priority. You may only have five or ten minutes at the end of the interview, so make sure you get the most pressing questions in. 

We’ve put together a list of ideas to get the juices flowing if you need some ideas. Of course, you may want to adjust the questions based on what was already discussed, your comfort level, and the type of role you’re interviewing for. 

Company culture 

A job can sound great on paper, but you want to make sure that the company’s culture (and its values) align with your own. Here are some questions that can help you figure out if the environment is right for you. 

• How would you describe the company culture? 
• What do you like about working here? What’s the overall company vision for the next six months to a year?
• I’ve read X about the company. Could you tell me more about that? 
• How do you measure success? 

Team dynamics

Let’s face it; if you’re spending 40 hours or more a week working alongside people, you want to know as much about them as you can. Ask these questions to see if you can picture yourself on the team. 

• Tell me more about the dynamic of the team I would be joining. How do people work together?
• How would you describe the management/leadership style?
• What’s your vision for this department or team for the next six months to a year?
• How do you deal with team conflicts? Can you tell me about a recent conflict and how it was resolved?
• What is the reporting structure for this role?

Career pathway

Sure, the job you’re interviewing for may sound great on paper, but what is the growth potential? Is the career trajectory a good fit? Ask these questions to get a sense of where this role can lead. 

• How do you support professional development?
• Could you walk me through the potential career path for this position?
• Are there soft skills that are beneficial to someone in this role? 
• Is this position new? If not, why did the person previously in the role leave?
• What are the expectations for someone in this role in the first six months? 
• Is there a specific project that I’d dive into right away? If so, tell me more about it. 

What if there is only time for one question? We suggest asking something along the lines of, “Is there anything we didn’t talk about that you feel I should know about this role?” Sometimes the most critical or interesting information can come in response to this question. It’s also wide enough in scope that your interviewer could take it in whatever direction feels most important. 

Once you’ve finished the interview, all that is left is to send a thank-you note or email and then let your preparation and experience speak for themselves.