The best questions to ask at the end of your interview
You’re almost through your job interview, and the interviewer asks: “Do you have any questions about the role?”
When it’s your turn for questions, what you ask can go a long way to helping you learn about the role – and even impress the employer.
Asking insightful, thoughtful questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of the role you’re applying for and ensure it’s a good fit for you.
Director at Robert Half Australia, Nicole Gorton says having questions prepared can be a strategic move that sets you apart from other candidates. “It demonstrates your interest in the position and the company,” she says. “Simply saying ‘no’ when you’re asked if you have questions suggests you’re not prepared, haven’t researched the company or are not interested enough in the role.”
Here are some of the best questions to ask in an interview. Choose a range of questions that matter most to you, and ask several of them with confidence.
The role and expectations
- Could you tell me why this position has become available?
- What would a typical day in this role look like?
- What do you think are the three key qualities someone needs to shine in this role?
- Thinking about employees who’ve done this work previously, what set apart those who were good from those who were great?
- How long do you think it would take someone to be up and running in this position?
Leadership style
- How would you describe your leadership style?
- If a staff member comes to you with a problem, how do you usually address it?
- How do you like to delegate tasks?
- How do you monitor the performance of individual team members?
- What would you like me to know about you as a leader?
The team
“The hiring manager won’t go into explicit detail about everyone, but they may share basic information about colleagues, managers and explain the size of the team and company structure,” Gorton says.
- Would I be working with a small or large team, and can you tell me a little more about the people I’d be working with?
- Who would I be reporting to and what would my contact with that person look like?
- Will I have a chance to meet my potential manager or colleagues during this process?
- How would you describe the dynamics of the team that I’d be working with?
- If I’m successful, do you have someone in my team who would act as a mentor or ‘buddy’ for the first little while?
Company culture
“If you’ve done your research on the company, you may know these answers, but ask them anyway and listen carefully for the qualities most important to you. For example, employee appreciation, company-paid employee development opportunities, casual dress, and so on,” Gorton says.
- How would you describe the workplace culture?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What would your staff say the most challenging thing about working here is?
- What are some of the biggest opportunities the company has at the moment and what does this mean for the staff?
- What makes people want to continue working at this company?
Training and development
These questions can help you find out if and how the company could help you stay on top of the latest news and best practices in your industry, Gorton says. For example, you may want to find out if you’d be able attend conferences or register for online courses.
- What types of professional development opportunities are offered?
- If I was offered this role, is there any training you think I’d need to undertake immediately?
- What do you imagine the career path to be for someone in this role?
- How do you help your team members grow and develop professionally?
- Can you tell me about your employee performance review processes?
Next steps
“Learning more about the key objectives of the organisation will help to determine how you can play a part in achieving them,” Gorton says. “Asking about goals can also help you get a feel for the company’s performance and any struggles it may be facing.”
- What is the company strategic plan for the next 12 months, and how will it impact this role?
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
- Could you tell me the timeline for making a decision and when you think I can expect to hear from you?
- Is there anything else you need from me to help you make your decision?
- Is there anything that we haven’t discussed that you think is important for me to know about working here?
These questions can help you determine whether the role is right for you, and show your potential employer that you’re enthusiastic, interested and prepared. When it’s your turn for questions, ask a range of them so you can close off your interview with confidence.
Top unique interview questions to ask employers
Standout questions to ask in an interview are those that are thought-provoking, relevant and interesting. Ideally, your questions should illustrate that you’re a switched-on person who has a genuine interest in the company and has already put thought into the role.
Here’s a list of unique interview questions to ask employers in an interview:
- How do you see AI impacting this role/company in the next 12 months?
- What’s the biggest challenge you see for the company in the next 5 years?
- What motivated you to apply for your job here?
- How important is commitment to sustainability for the company? What are the main green initiatives here?
- What piece of advice would you give yourself on your first day in the job here?
- What are some unexpected things you’ve learned on the job here?
- What traits and skills would the ideal person bring to this role that aren’t mentioned on the job listing?
5 unique interview questions to make an impression on employers
To leave a good impression on a potential employer, ask a unique question that relates to trending topics in your industry and how they related to the job and the company. Ask a unique question that shows you’re thinking about how you can add value to the company and contribute to its success. Or ask an original question that shows you’re a good cultural fit for their team.
Here are five examples of interesting questions to ask in an interview, to make a good impression on a hiring manager:
- How would this role directly contribute to the company achieving its mission and goals?
- Describe your idea of the perfect work team here.
- What are some personal attributes that you think the person in this role should have?
- How would you like to see your team improve or evolve over the next 12 months?
- What would you like to see happen in the company over the next 12 months?
These questions in an interview can help you determine whether the role is right for you, and show your potential employer that you’re enthusiastic, interested and prepared. When it’s your turn for questions, ask a range of them so you can close off your interview with confidence.
FAQ's
What are some unique questions to ask at the end of an interview?
Unique questions to ask at the end of an interview include “What personal traits would benefit someone in this role?” or “What’s one piece of advice you’d give to yourself on your first day on the job here?”
Why is it important to ask questions at the end of an interview?
It’s important to ask questions at the end of an interview to show that you have a genuine interest in the role and the company. They can also help you decide if you’re a good fit for the company.
How can I stand out by asking questions during an interview?
You can stand out in an interview by asking thoughtful, relevant questions about the position or the company. Asking an original question in an interview shows you’ve seriously considered the role, and makes a good impression on the hiring manager.
What questions should I avoid asking at the end of an interview?
You should avoid asking questions about salary or annual leave at the end of the interview, as they might make you seem that you only care about the job for money or flexibility. It’s okay to confirm these things, but the end of the first interview is not the best time.
What types of questions show that I’m a good fit for the company?
Questions that show you’re a good fit for the company include those related to trends and innovations in the industry and those that show you’re knowledgeable about the company and interested in its success.
How many questions should I ask at the end of my interview?
You should have at two or three questions to ask at the end of your interview. Be mindful not to make the interview go over its allotted time, as that could reflect poorly on your time management skills.
What’s the best question to ask an employer if I want to understand their company culture?
Some of the best questions to ask an employer to understand the company culture are: “Describe your team in one sentence,” “What do you love most about working at the company?” and “How do the company values translate into the work culture?”
Should I ask about the challenges of the role during an interview?
It’s fine to ask about the challenges of the role during an interview as it shows you are genuinely considering the position and are interested in overcoming its main hurdles.
What’s a good way to ask about career growth or development opportunities?
A good way to ask about career growth opportunities is by enquiring about promotions and career paths. You could ask “"What does a typical career path look like for someone in this role?” or “How does the company ensure that employees have a clear path for advancement?”
How can I inquire about team dynamics or my future team members?
To inquire about team dynamics you could ask: “How does the team typically collaborate on projects?” or “Can you describe the team I would be working with? Who would I be working with most closely?”
