Receiving a call from a company will always rush your adrenaline.
You got a call for a job interview. They want to see you the next morning. You have less than 24 hours to prepare for the interview. So how will you prepare? This will rush your adrenaline and excite you.
Most candidates only practice the questions they expect their interviewer to ask from them. But when the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions?” They simply say, “No!”
I have been interviewing for like half a decade now, and from my perspective, that is one of the biggest mistakes they make. You should also prepare the questions to ask the interviewer.
It is a matter of your career. You should prepare them like you prepare questions to ask your partner before marriage.
Why give so much importance? Because hiring staff judge you by your questions. Exactly what Voltaire said: “Judge a man by his questions, not his answers.”
So, here I am going to tell you some questions you should be asking from your potential employer, so you know what you are signing up for. But before that:
3 things to prepare yourself before giving the interview
Before we dive into the specific questions, let’s talk about the things you should be doing after getting an interview call.
1. Research the company and the interviewer
It’s crucial to understand the company’s mission, values, and work culture. Ask your friends, colleagues, and seniors about the company.
Check out anything you find about them online, their website, LinkedIn, and recent news articles to get an idea of their goals and challenges.
You will get what questions to ask interviewer from this; if not, then you will have to prepare them.
2. Prepare your questions to ask the interviewer
Interviewers always come up with unique interview questions to ask candidates. You must prepare for them.
But do not forget to develop some questions to ask HR interviewers also. The intent should be to develop a bond. You can use the questions you ask your friends for building a strong bond. But keep them formal.
You can simply go on Google and write “best questions to ask an interviewer,” or maybe include in one of the “best interview questions to ask employer.” Whatever you like!
But I suggest you be specific when searching for these questions. You can go with this type of interview, like if you are preparing for a sales interview, go with “questions to ask in a sales interview.” And if you are applying for an internship, “questions to ask in an internship interview.”
This way, you will get some very specific questions, and it will be easier for you.
3. Study the job description
You must have read the job description when you applied for it; read it again. Now that you have been called for a job interview, you must identify key responsibilities and required skills.
The interviewer will ask about the related skills, and that will not be the happiest question for you. Your answers should justify that your skills align with the role. Analyze what you have done in your experience and how it will help you with the challenges in the job.
Remember, there is no fit for all rules to prepare for an interview. It depends on you, the company taking your interview, and the job you are going for.
Just like there are none of the specific questions to ask an interviewer for a specific purpose. Many people ask me, “What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?” The answer to that is not that specific. I am more comfortable answering “What are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer?” But I still think there are more.
I think there are some 17 good questions to ask an interviewer.
17 popular questions to ask interviewer to learn more about company
Interviews are not only for the companies to evaluate you; they are a chance for you as well to determine if the company is right for you. So, follow Baltasar Gracian when he says, “Know how to ask.”
I have come up with some interesting questions to ask for better engagement with your interviewer, either a girl or a boy. I am dividing it into a few categories. In this way, you will understand them better.
1. Questions to ask the interviewer about the company culture
It is very important to ask about the company’s culture. You must know what it’s really like to work at the company. So ask questions like:
- How would you describe the company’s work environment?
- What do your employees enjoy most about working here?
- How does your company support work-life balance?
2. Questions to ask interviewer about team dynamics
Teamwork significantly impacts your day-to-day happiness at work. So consider these questions to understand more about the people you’ll be working with.
- Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
- How does the team collaborate on projects?
- What role does this team play in achieving the company’s goals?
3. Questions to ask HR on professional developments
You should be curious about the growth opportunities in your role. These questions will help you see if the company is interested in its employees’ development.
- What opportunities are there for professional development?
- How does your company measure and promote employee success?
- Are there opportunities for growth within this company?
4. Questions about leadership to ask the interviewer
Never hesitate to ask about the authorities in the company. The leadership can set the tone for your experience in a company, so even if the CEO is taking your interview, prepare questions to ask a CEO in an interview.
- Can you describe the company’s leadership style?
- How often does leadership interact with employees?
- How does the leadership support innovation and new ideas?
5. Questions to ask the interviewer about the company’s expectations
Finally, you should be digging into the specifics of the job itself. These questions will ensure you’re clear about your responsibilities and expectations.
- How important is this role for the company?
- What are the priorities for this position?
- What does success look like in this role?
6. Questions to ask the interviewer about the company’s future
Your future is going to be with the company, so ask where it is headed.
- What are the company’s long-term goals?
- How does the company plan to grow over the next few years?
- What are the biggest challenges the company is currently facing?
What to do after the interview?
Let’s say you gave a great interview! But what’s next? You have to keep your momentum going, so take these few steps.
1. Send a thank-you email to the interviewer
You need to follow up with the employer. Normally candidates apply at more than one place at a time. The employers know that, so if you follow up with them, they will know that you are interested in working with them.
2. Analyze the questions of the interview
Recall all the questions in the interview and analyze if the company is the right fit for you. See if you gave all the answers to their questions; if not, try to improve them for your future interviews.
3. Be patient, but stay active
Many companies have multiple stages in their employment process, which can take time. You might be called for a second interview, so research the company and prepare for that.
A better way to prepare for any type of interview is to practice answering different questions with somebody. How about an AI tool, the answer bot, that can answer real quick? Yes it is!
You can ask whatever you want from this tool. You can even train it to answer in a very specific way, like in the tone of an HR or a CEO, whatever. It allows you to ask in any dimension and make you aware of accurate answers.
Grab the opportunity to engage
Asking the right questions during an interview is as important as answering them. It’s your chance to determine if the company aligns with your goals and preferences.
With these 17 questions, you’ll be able to gain valuable insights about the company’s culture, leadership, growth, and your role within it.
You will also be able to show your communication skills and your interest in their work environment. This improves trust and engagement between you and your employer.
So, next time when an interviewer asks you, “Do you have any questions?” Grab that opportunity to engage with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask the interviewer about the extracurricular activities in the company?
Yes, you can and you should. Companies like proactive candidates, and they want their candidates to improve their teamwork. And what is better to do that other than extracurricular activities? So feel free to ask anything about them.
Should I ask the interviewer why the last person in this role left?
You can, but be careful. Do not sound skeptical while asking these types of questions. Your interviewer might think you are accusing them of something, so ask but with caution.
Can I ask my interviewer about the salary package?
Yes, you can ask questions related to your wages. I skipped them here because I focused more on the questions that normally candidates do not ask in interviews.