Questions to Ask During the Interview

Your resume did it! It got you the interview, you are dressed for success, and you are hitting it off with your interviewers. You have made them laugh a bit, gotten personal, and answered all your questions with confidence and professionalism…but then they ask you if you have any questions. Questions…for them? Other than when can you start, you don’t really have any. Then you panic and say, “I think I’m done.” And leave the interview on that note. This is NOT the thing to do. Even if every part of your interview was wonderful the questions at the end are probably the most important part of the interview because it’s your lasting impression that is going to matter when managers are behind closed doors.  The last thought of you seeming unprepared isn’t the best final impression. Don’t let this happen to you! If you have researched the company in advance, you will have questions. Here are some tips on what to ask and how to present them during an interview.

Questions that keep them coming back for more

At this stage in the process, the questions you ask should signal to the interviewer your true interest in the position, they should also demonstrate that you have the “soft skills” they are looking for.

• If I am selected for this position, what criteria would you use a few months later to evaluate whether you made the best choice?
• How would you describe the culture of your company?
• As you think about individuals you have hired in the past, what attributes have been of greatest importance in their success?
• What can I do to better prepare for this role before the start date?
• What is the average tenure in the company?
• Is there room for promotion/advancement in this role?
• What does the training for this role look like?
• Would you be my direct manager?

Questions that get the info you want

• Would you be willing to provide feedback on this interview?  Do you consider me to be a strong candidate for this role?
• What is the average tenure in the company?
• Is there room for promotion/advancement in this role?
• What is the next step in the hiring process?

Asking about compensation in an interview

Compensation is an important question that is typically brought up at the end of the first or second interview if you’re a major contender. If nothing is brought up by the end of the interview and you are on the edge of your seat wanting to know the compensation your final question could be “…and what does the compensation range for this role look like?” Remember that in many states, including New York, Colorado and Nevada, employers are required by law to disclose compensation ranges to candidates. Also keep in mind that compensation may differ for remote, in-office and hybrid positions.

Indeed offers the following advice:

• Think about the forms of compensation that matter most to you. Compensation goes beyond salary to include monetary benefits like vacation pay, health insurance, travel allowance, work-from-home allowance, stocks and equity and retirement bonuses. 
• Use online salary resources to study the current compensation trends for this job in your city
• If asked about your requirements, give a range rather than a number.  Frame the conversation using market data
• Do not try to negotiate until you have a formal offer

The best advice to take away from this is to be prepared in advance. The last thing you want to do is be caught off-guard and have nothing to say or miss out on the opportunity to ask something you needed to know before moving on to the next steps of the hiring process.