“Do you have any more questions?”
Most job interviews end with the hiring manager posing this exact question. Now, in case it was a great interview, you may not even have any more questions left to ask. However, if you ask any career expert, they will likely tell you that replying with “no” is not an option here.
After all, especially if you would like to get the job, you probably want to leave a lasting impression, and the best moment to do that is before saying goodbye to your interviewer. It also shows the hiring manager that you are genuinely interested in the position.
So what questions should you ask at the very end? And which ones should you avoid? We’re going to dive deeper into this topic now, and hope you’ll soon start your new job at the very company you posed some excellent questions to at the end of your interview!
What are the smartest questions to ask during the interview process?
To start you off with a general overview, we’ve put together a few clever questions that you can ask throughout the conversation. With these killer interview questions, you should be able to get a very good insight into what to ask at a job interview that actually makes an impression!
💡 Tip: Take another look at the job description for the position you’ve applied for, and then use this as a reference on which questions to include when preparing for your interview.
1️⃣ Smart questions to ask about the company’s future
- “In which direction do you think the company will develop in the next few years?”
- “What are the company’s current goals, and how is the team working to achieve them?”
- “What excites you most about the company’s future?”
📝 Note: Asking about the future of the company will likely give you an edge over other competitors, as it shows that you are thinking outside the box and also solidifies your interest in the position.
2️⃣ Smart questions to ask about the company culture
- “What are your key company values?”
- “How would you rate the company in terms of adherence to its core values?”
- “In addition to the hard skills required to be successful in this job, are there any soft skills that would be beneficial to the company?”
📝 Note: Knowing what skills they consider important will give you more insight into the company’s culture and also a better idea of their values. For example, if “employee satisfaction” is a core value of the business, they may also prioritize a good work-life balance for their staff and especially appreciate if their employees have good social skills.
Top 5 questions to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview
Let’s now take a look at the best questions to ask at the very end of your job interview!
📝 Note: The first one may have already come up during the actual interview, but we’ve included it in our list anyway because it’s simply essential for any potential new hire to pose this question to the hiring manager.
⒈ Can you elaborate on the responsibilities of this position?
Job descriptions can only give you so much information about the everyday life you’ll have in the job you’re aiming for. Therefore, even if you already possess a good understanding of your main responsibilities, it is also important to learn more about your typical day-to-day responsibilities.
📝 Note: This is actually an excellent question to ask at the end of an interview. It shows the hiring manager that you are genuinely interested in the position and excited to get started!
⒉ What are some of your most interesting projects?
Have you ever thought about simply turning the tables and asking the recruiter what they love about the company, and what upcoming or past projects they’ve worked on? It may surprise them at first to hear this question, but most hiring managers really don’t mind reflecting on their time at the company and talking about what they like.
📝 Note: An interview is always a two-way street, and this question is the perfect opportunity to learn about what it’s like to work at the company from someone who already does.
⒊ How have successful employees who previously held this position evolved?
By asking “What have past employees done to succeed in this position?” you can actually get your interviewer to reveal how the company measures success. You’ll also learn more about other employees’ career paths, which will give you a better understanding of how they evaluate success and what gives their staff the opportunity to advance in their jobs.
📝 Note: Additionally, you may of course use this question to determine if you have an opportunity for career advancement in the near future or are at a dead end.
⒋ Who do you consider your biggest competitor and why?
This admittedly somewhat risky question can provide you with personal insights that you might not find in an Internet-only search about the company. Additionally, you could ask, “How do you differentiate yourself from your main competitor?” – if you choose your words wisely, you can imply that you are already thinking about how to improve the company’s growth.
📝 Note: Asking this question may encourage recruiters to talk more openly about the company’s major competitors. At the same time, it comes across as a pretty big endorsement and shows that you’re interested in learning as much as you can about your future employer.
⒌ What are the next steps in the hiring process?
You should not forget to ask this question at the end of an interview. This will give you a quick and straightforward idea of what to expect in the next steps and the company’s plans in terms of the recruitment process.
💡 Tip: You can also use this opportunity to ask any time-sensitive questions you need to know, such as how long you should wait for feedback.
Good questions to ask at the end of an interview – conclusion & tips
Job interviews aren’t just an opportunity for your future employer to get to know you – they’re also a way for you to learn more about the organization you want to work for.
That’s why it’s so important to ask some of your own questions at the end of the job interview. However, don’t ask questions that you can also find out by doing a quick Google search, because that could leave a bad impression.
🧐 Is there anything else that’s not so great to ask?
- While most hiring managers or employers are happy to answer any questions you have during the interview with great enthusiasm, you should wait to inquire about salary until you are in negotiations with an HR representative.
- If you choose to ask a question such as “Do you have any concerns about my qualifications?” be aware that it may put you in a vulnerable position – however, it clearly demonstrates that you are confident enough to also address your weaknesses.
🤔 How many questions should you ask at the end of an interview?
- To show genuine interest, but to not “overdo” it, you could ask about three questions. However, there is no right or wrong here, even a single question can be absolutely adequate!
- You will have to decide this on the basis of your gut feeling. If the interviewer answers your questions passionately, and you have a really nice conversation, you can definitely ask a few more questions.
📝 Note: The interviewer’s answer may naturally lead to more questions!
We hope this helped you prepare for the interview for your dream job, and that the company’s ideal candidate looks a lot like you!
💡 Tip: If you feel like you missed asking something, or if you just want to thank the recruiter for the interview, you can email them afterwards.
🙌 Good luck with your job search and finding just the right job!
Good questions to ask at the end of an interview – FAQ
To learn more about the company and your potential new position, you could ask the following questions: 1️⃣ “What is your onboarding process like?” 2️⃣ “Can you tell me about my direct reports?” 3️⃣ “What does your performance review process look like?”
Some of the most important questions to ask here are: 1️⃣ “What professional development opportunities are available to your employees?” 2️⃣ “What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?” 3️⃣ “What are a few of the most interesting projects you have worked on at this company?”
Asking about next steps is a very good wrap-up question because it shows the hiring manager that you are really interested in the job.
