51 Interview Questions You Should Be Asking: By, October 15, 2013
51 Interview Questions You Should Be Asking: By, October 15, 2013
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To get you thinking, we've put together a list of key questions to ask in your interview. We
definitely don't suggest asking all of them rapid-fire—some of this stuff will certainly be covered
during the course of your discussion, and you can weave in other questions as you go.
But when the inevitable, "So, do you have any questions for us?" part of the interview comes?
Use this list to make sure you've covered all your bases.
The Job
First, make sure you have a handle on exactly what the day-to-day responsibilities of the job will
be—both now and in the future.
4. What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate?
5. What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
6. What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
7. What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
Want even more interviewing advice? Take our Ace the Interview class at Muse University!
Think of each new job not just as a job, but as the next step on your path to career success. Will
this position help you get there?
15. Where is the last person who held this job moving on to?
16. Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to?
Your Performance
Make sure you're setting yourself up for success by learning up front the goals of the position
and how your work will be evaluated.
17. What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60,
and 90 days on the job?
18. What are the performance expectations of this position over the first 12 months?
19. What is the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed?
Interviewer
Asking questions of the interviewer shows that you're interested in him or her as a person—and
that's a great way to build rapport.
The Company
Because you're not just working for one boss or one department, you're working for the company
as a whole.
26. I've read about the company's founding, but can you tell me more about ___?
27. Where do you see this company in the next few years?
28. What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
29. What are the current goals that the company is focused on, and how does this team work to
support hitting those goals?
30. What gets you most excited about the company's future?
The Team
The people you work with day in and day out can really make or break your work life. Ask some
questions to uncover whether it's the right team for you.
31. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
34. Can you tell me about my direct reports? What are their strengths and the team's biggest
challenges?
35. Do you expect to hire more people in this department in the next six months?
36. Which other departments work most closely with this one?
The Culture
39. How would you describe the work environment here—is the work
typically collaborative or more independent?
40. Can you tell me about the last team event you did together?
41. Is there a formal mission statement or company values? (Note: Make sure this isn't Google-
able!)
44. Does anyone on the team hang out outside the office?
46. What's different about working here than anywhere else you've worked?
Next Steps
Before you leave, make sure the interviewer has all of the information he or she needs and that
you're clear on the next steps by asking these questions.
48. Is there anything that concerns you about my background being a fit for this role?
50. Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?