Use this list of questions that we at founderactivity have prepared as a guide. These questions to ask at the end of an interview will help you find more information about the company and job position that you applied. Such information may not have been available to you before when doing your research. Choose the ones that will be most beneficial for you to ask in your specific situation. It’s going to be worth it.
The questions you ask at the end of an interview serve several purposes. For example, they can help you and the hiring manager gather valuable information. Secondly, they exhibit that you are career-driven and take initiative in your professional development.
Questions to ask at the end of an Interview
At the end of the interview, almost every interviewer gives you the option to ask questions. It is critical that you have prepared at least two or three questions that demonstrate your interest while also demonstrating that you have done your homework by studying the firm ahead of time. The following are the most important questions to ask at the end of your interview:
Company-specific questions
The following questions are directly related to the firm and are useful to ask in almost any interview.
1. What do you consider to be the best aspect of working here?
The Swiss Army knife of interview questions is this one. Just think about all the things it accomplishes:
- helps you establish a rapport with the interviewer (keep in mind that most people prefer talking about themselves to other topics)
- demonstrates your interest in the company as a whole, not just the job,
- And demonstrates a lot about the business: Despite being just one person’s opinion, the response can reveal a lot about whether or not the job is a good fit for you.
- enables you to ask follow-up questions about the interviewer’s challenges or how they came to work for the company, for example.
Sample Answer- “I really like the open-door policy here. It’s so refreshing to be able to talk with someone who works in this department every day and not just get a corporate overview of what your responsibilities would be. I also love that you can walk right into anyone’s office and ask questions if need be. That kind of access is invaluable, especially when you’re new on the job.”
2. What would you say about the corporate culture?
By posing this query, you convey to the interviewer your concern about finding your next job’s ideal cultural fit. Additionally, you can learn more about the company’s philosophy regarding the importance of employee satisfaction.
Sample Answers – “Our company’s culture is one of collaboration, respect, and integrity. We work hard to create a friendly atmosphere where employees feel like they are part of something bigger than just themselves. We value each person here and want them to succeed at our organization.”
3. What do you like best about your job at this company?
You can gain a better understanding of the company’s culture and establish a rapport with the interviewer by getting more information about their personal experiences. Additionally, this query might give you a behind-the-scenes look at the best aspects of working for the company.
Sample Answer – “I like best about this job is that I would be able to work closely with senior management to help develop strategic initiatives, but there is some overtime required on occasion.”
4. Over the next five years, how do you envision this business changing?
By posing this query, you demonstrate to the interviewer your interest in the company’s future and how your professional development will complement its anticipated growth.
Sample Answer – I see my knowledge and experience growing as I work alongside the more experienced employees at this company. In time, I hope to become a valuable member of the team and help drive future growth through my expertise in sales and customer service.
5. What contribution would the incumbent make to the mission?
Show the interviewer that you are considering the job’s broader responsibilities and that you intend to work for the company in the long run.
Sample Answer as a Sales Manager – “When I was promoted to join the traveling sales team at my previous company over the past year, I realized how much I love sales. I received the Top Regional Sales Award for acquiring new clients after the first six months. Even though the challenges of traveling to meet customers in numerous locations were enjoyable, I am looking forward to getting to know some local contacts and giving them my full attention. I have used your company’s products for years, so I can speak with confidence.”
6. What do you think the company means when it says it upholds certain values?
This shows the interviewer that you have done your research on the business and are interested in how its values will mesh with your own. Additionally, it demonstrates your proactive efforts to become somewhat familiar with the organization’s internal operations prior to joining it.
Sample Answer as a salesman – “I was a member of a team that had to present ideas for fresh sales tactics at a previous job where I worked in sales. We met at a predetermined time each week to discuss the project, with each of us having our assigned roles within the team. We all had excellent communication, and our employer took a number of our suggestions into consideration.”
7. What traits and characteristics define a successful employee in the workplace?
This query demonstrates to the interviewer your drive for success and desire to make sure you’ll be a good fit for the organization.
Sample Answer as an HR manager – “I would collaborate with the HR department and recruitment team to develop an onboarding program that combines team-building exercises with lessons on the company’s history, facts, and values.”
8. Who do you see as your main rival, and why?
While your research will have given you a general idea of the company’s main rivals, it can be helpful to ask the interviewer for their perspective to gain additional information that isn’t available elsewhere.
Sample Answer – “According to my investigation, Competitor A is currently outselling your product because of the more functional nature of their line. However, I would anticipate that you’ll regain a sizable amount of market share given the improvements you’re working on for the next generation that will be released this fall. You will be functionally ahead and more affordable thanks to your planned upgrades. I’d love to be able to use my expertise in increasing productivity to support this business in keeping costs down and maintaining its competitive edge.”
9. How have you improved?
The interviewer will be able to tell that you are considering how you can assist the business in expanding and achieving its long-term objectives.
Sample Answer – “My current department’s employee onboarding procedure was lengthy and challenging when I first started working there. Instead of learning on the job and interacting with their new team, new hires would spend their time watching training videos. I proposed giving each new hire a team mentor. The mentor and new hire established a twice-weekly meeting schedule, and the mentor assisted the new hire with the onboarding procedure. Because of how effective this change was, our new hire retention increased by over 15%.”
10. What are the biggest opportunities that the business is currently being offered?
This query demonstrates your eagerness to seize the chance to contribute and can teach you more about the areas in which the business.
Sample Answer as a copywriter– “With doctors in my family, I’m passionate about assisting people in addressing their health challenges and making informed decisions regarding their bodies and their lives, which is why I want to work here. I also enjoy copywriting, delving into editorial strategy, particularly in relation to social media, and working with colleagues to generate the most original ideas. When I consider the requirements of this position and the morality of the company’s mission, I feel incredibly inspired and see myself making a significant contribution.”
11. What are the biggest problems the business is currently facing?
What could you learn from this question and what does it reveal about you to the interviewers? The strategy behind the question, “What Has Been a Challenge for This Team in the Past?”
By inquiring about challenges, you can learn about the industry’s current trends and issues, perhaps identifying areas where your skills could be put to good use.
Sample Answer – “In my most recent position, a former coworker abruptly quit her job. She was the team leader for a significant new project at the time. My boss asked me to take over after she left. I had prior leadership experience, even though I had never before carried out her job responsibilities. I moved the project along, inspired the rest of the team, and finished both my and her tasks using my leadership and problem-solving abilities. We were successful in completing this project on time.”
12. How is the business tackling these difficulties?
The interviewer’s response may reveal more about the goals of the company and may naturally elicit additional inquiries.
Sample Answer as a businessman – “I was successful in negotiating repayment plans with several vendors during a trying financial time. I created a barter program and mutually beneficial payment plan that suited the vendor requirements at the time, my company’s revenue flow, and the project schedule. Additionally, I worked very hard to establish a good rapport with the vendor over the course of the months that we had been working together, which made it simpler for me to obtain the agreement. I gained insight into the value of creative problem-solving from this experience. I also discovered how crucial it is to create and preserve a strong rapport with vendors.”
13. What is the rate of staff turnover at your company, and how are you attempting to lower it?
This is a good question to ask because it demonstrates your understanding of the value of job security, and their response can reveal the fundamental character of the business.
14. What keeps employees at this business?
This question complements the first well because it can give you a more comprehensive understanding of the company’s culture and how you’ll fit in.
Sample Answer – “I had a senior staff member assigned to me as a mentor at my previous job. However, he didn’t seem to have time for me and didn’t train or teach me. I made the decision to wait six months to see if things would not get better. When it didn’t, I requested a meeting with him and calmly explained why I didn’t feel like I was learning anything. He assured me that he recognized my perspective and that he would involve me more in upcoming projects.
However, nothing like that happened. I waited a few more weeks before calling a meeting with my direct manager and the subject because I value candor and open discourse. My manager gave me a new mentor after the meeting, and I learned a lot from him during my five years there.”
Specific to role questions
The following questions are specific to the position you’re interviewing for, so do your research before you ask them and make sure you’re not asking them in a way that a quick Google search could provide the answer.
15. Can you describe the daily duties of this position in more detail?
If the position is cross-functional or is part of a team, this question can help to clarify the various facets of the job. Hopefully, you’ll gain a better understanding of the duties of the position to aid in your decision as to whether or not it’s the best fit for you. Additionally, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the particular abilities and strengths needed.
Sample Answer as a web developer – “As a web developer, it is my responsibility to make sure the business’ website is user- and customer-friendly. Any issues with the website will be reported to me by staff, and I will use my coding expertise to fix them. I regularly check the website for any user issues, and I’ll offer updates and improvements as needed. When I meet with the creative team, I also use collaborative skills to make sure that their front-end design complements my back-end design.”
16. To whom would I be accountable?
There could be one boss or several. In either case, you should be aware of your obligations and what to anticipate.
Sample Answer – “Accountability to me entails accepting responsibility for my deeds and being prepared to own up to my errors. I need to hold myself responsible if I want to perform to the best of my ability.”
17. Will the interview process give me a chance to meet the person I’d be reporting to?
A professional interviewing process requires the opportunity to meet with your potential managers. Try to learn the reason why they don’t give you that chance.
Sample Answer virtual assistant – “At my previous job, I frequently received calls about a colleague who was improperly managing our client’s accounts. I scheduled a meeting with him to discuss the problems because I wasn’t sure if he was aware that he was handling the accounts improperly. I quickly came to the conclusion that he was not aware that his improper use of the software had resulted in errors on the accounts. He was able to cooperate with IT to find a solution, and once the problems were solved, we credited our clients’ accounts.”
18. In what ways would I work with my boss?
In order to determine whether a manager will enable you to utilize your strengths to contribute to the success of the company, it is important to understand how they interact with their staff.
19. What do you consider to be the most difficult part of the job?
This demonstrates your understanding of the role’s challenges and provides you with an idea of what to anticipate.
Sample Answer- “One of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make at work is deciding whether or not to fire a team member. I appreciate the contributions that each person makes while we are working together, and before considering firing a team member, I always look at other options and mentor them to help them perform better. I also recognize the value of treating team members fairly when they achieve their performance goals, and I hope to be able to devote my time to the entire group in a beneficial way.”
“In the past, whenever I had to think about firing an employee, I was always upfront with them about how to improve and what would happen if they didn’t. This made the choice simpler because I felt confident in upholding my own accountability regarding the circumstance and giving them the resources they needed to continue working with the team. Additionally, it demonstrated to the team that I value them and treat all dismissal decisions seriously.”
20. Who would make the best candidate for this position?
If your skills and background match what the company is looking for, you can tell from the response to this question.
Sample Answer- “I have put a lot of effort into developing the precise soft skills that are required for this position at my previous jobs. I am very well-organized, so I would be a fantastic choice to handle an executive’s calendar. Being incredibly affable, I feel comfortable handling calls and email correspondence. I can change my mind quickly. I’ll handle all the schedule changes for the executive if they have an unexpected change of heart quickly and with assurance.”
21. What traits do you believe are most critical for someone in this position to have?
The answer to this query may reveal important details about the company and how you would fit in that are not included in the job description.
Sample Answer customer care- “I’m a compassionate individual who excels at connecting with others and making them feel heard. One particular incident from earlier this year stands out in my mind: I was on a support call with a client whose contract we had ended. Her rates would have significantly increased if the service agreement had been reinstated. Because she needed car insurance for herself and her family, she was understandably upset and felt trapped.
We quickly realized that we couldn’t satisfy her needs, but I still wanted her to think highly of the support we had given. I went over some of her alternative options with her and even informed her of other providers who might be able to give her a better deal so she wouldn’t experience a lapse in coverage. She specifically stated in the feedback form following that exchange that she would continue to advocate for our services to others. I’ve had a lot of complex interactions like this in my career providing customer service, but they always come to a happy conclusion.”
22. What soft skills, in addition to the technical ones needed for this position, do you believe will be most beneficial to the business and position?
The company’s valued skills can help you gain a deeper understanding of its management values and culture, which will help you decide whether you would fit in.
Sample Answer a human resources assistant – “I’m a good fit for the position of human resources assistant because I can make anyone feel at ease in a strange setting. A new hire at my previous job approached me and confided that she didn’t feel she fit the company culture. After chatting with her for a while, we discovered that she felt excessive pressure to take part in company events. She quickly became more at ease with her team as I introduced activities with fewer competitions and more relaxed settings.”
23. Is this a newly created position? If not, why did the person in this position before me leave?
Even though it seems direct, it’s a good question to ask. It makes sense to wonder why someone might have been dissatisfied with their job. If they quit, there may be another factor at play that will help you decide whether to pursue this position further. If they left the position due to a promotion, that information is helpful.
Sample Answer as a marketing executive – Over the past two years, I’ve worked to assemble a capable group of marketing experts. Over the previous fiscal year, my team’s campaigns increased sales by 37%. But I had to take advantage of the chance when I saw your offer. I want to work for a larger company that has more iconic and diverse marketing projects. I’m prepared to advance in my career in that way. Additionally, XYZ Company would be the ideal match. I would think about quitting my current job because of this.
24. How have people in this position previously been successful?
You can get an idea of the company’s success metrics from this query. The query will return the company’s revenue, profit, and number of employees.
25. How has this job changed over time?
This question begs the obvious question of whether there is room for advancement in this position or if it is a dead end. It is important to know if there is potential for growth in a position before accepting an offer so that you can make an informed decision about your future.
26. What do you hope to accomplish in the first 30 to 60 days in this position?
When asked, “Why is the team looking to fill this role?” The strategy behind the question, as well as what you might learn and what the interviewer will learn about you.
It’s critical to understand what would be required of you if you were hired for this position. It will be simpler to tailor your qualifications to show that you are a good fit for the position the more you are aware of the requirements and success metrics.
27. How do you measure success?
If you are aware of how the company defines success, it will be easier for you to understand what it would take to advance in your career. Success may be defined differently from company to company, so it is important to be aware of what your company’s definition is. Once you know what is required to be considered successful within your company, you can better map out a plan to advance your career.
28. Is there a “typical” career path for a person in this position?
You can infer that the company promotes from within if the response is positive. By posing this query, you demonstrate your desire to advance within the company. This shows that you are ambitious and willing to work hard to get ahead.
29. How do I stack up against the other applicants you interviewed for this position?
The answer to this question can help you determine if there are any concerns or issues that you could address to assuage their hesitations about putting you into the role. This can be awkward unless things are going well and you’ve developed a strong rapport with the interviewer.
30. Do you have any reservations about my credentials?
This query places you in a precarious situation, but it also demonstrates your confidence in addressing your weaknesses. In addition to giving you feedback on where you stand, their response may also give you the chance to clarify any questions the interviewer may have while you have their full attention.
31. Have I addressed all of your concerns?
Ask the interviewer if there is anything they would like you to go over again. They’ll appreciate the offer, and their response might allow you to gauge your effectiveness.
Wrap-up questions
When the interview is winding down, these are excellent questions to make:
32. What is your schedule and what are the following actions?
Asking this question will help you understand what to anticipate from the interview’s subsequent steps. You can also use this time to discuss any urgent matters they should be aware of, such as whether you’re considering other offers or whether you need to make plans for a move, transportation, or simply adjusting to a new schedule.
33. Do you require any additional information from me regarding my qualifications for the position?
The interviewer will appreciate it if you offer to go into more detail about any of your responses or anything on your resume.
34. Is there anything else I can offer to aid in your decision-making?
This is a nice way to guarantee that there are no questions that might have an impact on your candidacy. Additionally, it will demonstrate that you have done everything within your power to demonstrate your suitability for the position.
35. Has this company altered the course of your initial career?
Give the interviewer the chance to talk about their own experiences because most people enjoy discussing themselves.
36. Which of your recent projects has been the most intriguing?
You might be able to get a clearer understanding of what the job entails and how each role’s function contributes to the overarching objectives by asking for a specific example.
37. What has been your best experience with this business?
This is a fantastic question to ask at the end of an interview because it forces the interviewer to think back on one of their favorite company experiences and how it improved their overall experience.
38. In five years, where do you see yourself?
As a potential employee, you’ll want to know where the interviewer is headed in their career, so this is a good question to ask.
39. Should I schedule a meeting with anyone else?
It will be clear that the company values teamwork and a cohesive workplace if they want you to meet the team. Additionally, you’ll have a better idea of the anticipated timeline if the interviewer mentions that there will be three additional interviews.
40. Have we neglected to mention any other crucial facets of the job?
This is a good questions to ask at the end of an interview because it gives you the chance to learn the answers to some crucial questions you didn’t even know to ask.
To add a little more advice other than what we have provided, check out the video below.
Tips for questions to ask at the end of an interview
Prepared questions demonstrate to the interviewer that you did your homework on the organization and the position, and they also give you access to information you might not have otherwise discovered. To make sure you’re asking the right questions and avoiding any mistakes, try using these suggestions.
- Ask questions that call for more than a simple “yes” or “no,” but be careful not to ask ones that are too general to have a clear answer. Additionally, avoid asking questions that have obvious answers or ones that you could learn by browsing the business’s website.
- Try to limit the number of questions you ask to three, but have up to ten ready so you can pick the best ones based on the direction the conversation is taking.
- Make an effort to ask less obvious questions about the role and business.
- If possible, try to ask your questions while seated. You may come off as unsure or timid if you ask questions as you leave.
- Talk about what you had planned to ask and that you have already received the answers if all of your questions are addressed during the interview and you are at a loss for any more. This can be helpful in resolving any misunderstandings or questions that may have arisen.
- According to best practices, you should refrain from posing queries about your potential advantages from taking the job.
- Wait until you’re in the negotiation stage of the process with an HR representative before bringing up salary or benefits.
In conclusion, asking the right questions at the end of an interview can not only show your interest in the role and company, but it can also provide valuable insight into whether the role and company align with your career goals and expectations.
Asking smart and thoughtful questions can also help you leave a lasting impression and increase your chances of landing the job. So don’t be afraid to speak up, ask the important questions and gather the information you need to make the best decision for your career.
