Questions to Ask an Employer During an Interview

Congratulations! You’ve got an interview after what was probably a grueling job search. Now is the tough part, the actual interview. There several questions that you will most likely be asked, “Why are you applying for this job?”; “What makes you the ideal candidate?”; “How did you hear about us?” You might even be asked, “What are your strengths?” (click here for help with that question), and of course the dreaded, “What are your weaknesses?” We’ve got you covered if you need help with that question too.

However, few prepare for the question that usually comes at the end of an interview, “So what questions do you have for me?” This can stump even an experienced interviewee. If you’re asked this question, you’ll want to be prepared. Asking a potential employer questions shows them that you care about what type of environment you’re going into, and that you’re ambitious and eager to learn. Showing more interest in the position, your duties, training, the team you’d be working with, the company and its culture will be in your favor.

Prepare in advance a list of questions you may want to ask. Here are a few to get you started:

What do the typical day-to-day tasks of this role look like?

Should you get the job offer, learning about what the day looks like can help you immensely in preparing for your first day. If you have an idea of what the flow of the office is like, you can better manage your time as you’re learning. Is it more casual? Are there a lot of distractions? Do we eat lunch together for team building? If the answer isn’t what you are looking for, it might not be the ideal environment for you. Your individual success and happiness is just as important as the company’s.

What type of skills and characteristics do you look for in an ideal candidate?

This can be a confidence booster if the answer already matches your skill set and personality. Some employers might be willing to help you enroll in courses or trainings to help improve your skill set for this position. This is also a good time to ask about what opportunities for growth the job could potentially have in the future.

Can you tell me about the team and their various roles?

Asking this question will help you figure out what everyone does and how much of the work is team-oriented or individual. If you’re in a group interview, this is a great question for each interviewer to answer and will help you learn a little more about the people you might be working closely with. Make note of names and titles, especially in a group interview so you can thank everyone appropriately for taking time to interview you.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

This is an important question to ask. Yes, work is work and it won’t be all fun and games, but working for someone that genuinely loves their job and is happy says something about the company culture. If you ask this question and the interviewer is stumped, that might be a red flag. If your potential boss does not find any part of their job rewarding, this probably isn’t the place for you.

You’ll never know exactly what will be asked during an interview, but adequately preparing will always help. Asking even one of these questions shows the interviewer that you prepared for the interview and are an ambitious, take-charge kind of person. Understanding the company’s core values and mission prior to your interview will impress the interviewer as well. Do your research and practice your answers and questions. Good luck!