Closing strong: Top questions to ask in an interview

Choosing smart questions to ask in an interview

“Do you have any questions for me?”

As the interview draws to a close, you can count on this last question from recruiters and hiring managers. It may seem like an easy question, a natural closer with no real expectations, but treating it like an opportunity to continue highlighting your fit for the role can set you apart from other candidates.

So, what should you ask? The following questions are favorites from our own recruitment experts because they help reveal company culture, role expectations, and your own value. While you don’t need to cover every one, even just a couple can leave a strong impression.

First, know your goals

Before asking your questions, remind yourself what you're trying to achieve at this stage. You're using this moment to work out if the role is right for you, but you're also still making the case for why you're right for it.

Pre-interview, pick two or three key messages about your suitability for the role. If you haven't covered them yet, this is your last chance before you move on to your own questions.

Pro-tip: Don’t feel like you have to save every question for the end. A quick “can you tell me more about that?” throughout the interview turns it into a two-way conversation.

Make the questions your own

Treat the following questions as a starting point, not a script. The strongest candidates take the idea behind each one and shape it around their own experience and the role they’re interviewing for.

For example, “While at my last job, I earned my Azure certification, and it opened doors I didn’t expect. What does growth look like for someone in this position?” is stronger than the question on its own. The more specific you get, the more the interviewer learns about you, and the more it shows you've done your homework on the job.

Questions about the job

These questions get you closer to what the role actually involves day-to-day, and where it can take you. Look at the daily tasks, goals, and resources on offer to determine if the job matches what you’re looking for.

• Can you walk me through a typical day or week in this role?
• What are the short-term and long-term goals for this position?
• How does success in this role contribute to the team or department's wider objectives?
• What resources or support will be available to help me do well here?
• How has this role evolved within the company?

Questions about the team

Asking about the people you’ll be working with frequently will give you a good idea of how you’ll fit in.

• How would you describe the dynamic and collaboration within the team?
• What are the team's greatest strengths, and where do you see room to grow?
• How does the team celebrate wins and support each other through challenges?
• Can you tell me about a recent project the team worked on, and what this role's part in it would be?
• What opportunities are there to work across other teams?

Questions for your potential boss

These questions are best saved for the interview with the hiring manager. They’ll give you a clear read on how they lead, what they expect, and whether that suits how you like to work.

• How would you describe your leadership style and how you communicate?
• What are your expectations for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How do you give feedback and support your team’s development?
• What do you see as the biggest challenge for whoever steps into this role?

Questions about the company

These questions help you understand where the company is headed, and whether that's a direction you want to be part of. Tailor them to the organization. What you'd ask a non-profit is different from what you'd ask a multinational corporation.

• How does the work in this department connect to the company's wider vision?
• What sets this company apart from its competitors?
• How does the company stay innovative as the industry changes?
• What opportunities are there to grow within the company?
• How does the company approach corporate social responsibility and community involvement?

Questions about the company culture

Our Page Pulse survey found that almost half (49%) of workers do more than expected without recognition, like a bonus or extra time off (51%). Asking about culture, in the right way, tells you a lot about how a company handles reward and recognition.

• How would you describe the company culture in three words?
• Can you give an example of the company's values showing up in day-to-day work?
• How does the company support diversity and inclusion?
• What's in place to support employee well-being and work-life balance?
• How does the company recognize people who exceed expectations?

However you use these questions, come prepared, ask with intent, and treat this part of the interview as the two-way conversation it's meant to be.

What's next?

Hope for the best in your current interviews, but keep your job search active too. Staying open to other opportunities keeps you moving toward the right role for you. Explore our live jobs or more interviewing tips.