Questions to Ask During an Interview: Setting Yourself Up for Success
Updated: Jul 23
One of the biggest interview mistakes candidates make?
Getting to the end of the interview and saying, "I don't have any questions."
The questions you ask matter just as much as the answers you give.
An interview isn't an interrogation, it's a conversation. You're evaluating the opportunity just as much as they're evaluating you. The right questions help you uncover what it's really like to work there, while also demonstrating curiosity, critical thinking, and genuine interest in the role and the people sitting across from you.
Here are some of my favorite questions to ask:
Leadership / Hiring Manager
How would you describe your leadership style?
What qualities do your highest-performing team members have in common?• How do you give feedback and support employee growth?
Can you share an example of someone on your team who has grown in their career? What helped them succeed?
How do you support employees who are struggling or need additional guidance?• How is success measured in this role during the first 6–12 months?
What are the biggest priorities for the person stepping into this position?
What excites you most about leading this team right now?
Team
How would you describe the team's working style?
What are the biggest challenges the team is focused on today?
How does the team collaborate and communicate day to day?
What does onboarding look like for a new team member?
What's one thing you wish someone had told you before joining the team?
Company
How would you describe the company culture beyond what's on the website?
What qualities do people who thrive here have in common?
How does the company invest in employee learning and career development?
What are the company's biggest goals over the next year, and how does this role contribute?
What keeps people at this company?
Remember: You don't need to ask every question. Choose the ones that matter most to you and the stage of the interview. The best interviews end with both sides feeling informed and excited, not just the employer.
