Best Questions to Ask to Impress Hiring Managers

You’ve made it to the interview round of your job search — congratulations!

Now it’s time to seal the deal and land that job — and one of the most important factors in whether or not you get hired is your ability to ask questions.

So if you’re in the process of looking for a new job, keep reading to learn why it’s important to ask questions during the job interview process.

Why is it important to ask questions during an interview?

There are a number of reasons to ask the hiring manager questions during the interview process but ultimately by asking questions, you’re showing your genuine interest in the company and the role all while proving that you’ve done your research.

So for any interview be sure to come prepared with a list of questions from the suggestions below.

Questions you should ask during an interview

Questions about the job itself

Asking questions about the job itself shows that you’re interested in the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations of the role. This is important because it allows you to make sure that the job is a good fit for you and your skill set.

Some questions you can ask about the job itself include:

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?

• What are the first projects I’d be working on?

• What are some of the biggest challenges others in this role have faced?

Questions about the company

A role may sound like a dream from the job description but what good is the perfect job if you don’t like the company you’re working for? Finding out upfront if a company seems like a good fit is a great way to ensure long-term fulfillment in the role.

Some questions you can ask about the company include:

• Can you tell me a little bit about the company’s history?

• What are the company’s core values?

Questions to ask about the culture

The company’s culture is what defines how employees interact with each other and management as well as the overall feel of the workplace. And if the Great Resignation has taught us anything, company culture is a huge component of employee satisfaction.

So, if you’re looking for a laid-back environment where you can be your full self, you’re going to want to ask about company culture.

Some questions you can ask about the company culture include:

• What does work-life balance look like at this company?

• What is the company’s stance on providing resources for mental health?

• What is the company doing to ensure diversity and equity?

Questions about professional development

Asking the hiring manager questions about professional development shows that you’re interested in continuing to grow and develop within the company. This is important because it allows you to make sure that there are opportunities for growth in the role.

Some questions you can ask about professional development include:

• What are the opportunities for professional development at this company?

• What resources are available for employees to develop new skills?

• What mentorship opportunities are available at this company?

Questions about the team

If you’re going to be spending 40+ hours a week with this group of people, you want to make sure that you actually like them and that they seem like good team members.

Asking questions about the team allows you to get a feel for what it would be like to work with them on a daily basis.

Some questions you can ask about the team include:

• Can you tell me a little bit about the team I’d be working with?

• What is the team’s dynamic like?

• How do team members typically communicate with each other?

Questions about how success is measured

Asking your potential employer questions about how success is measured in the role allows you to get a better understanding of what is expected of you and what you need to do to be successful. This is important because it allows you to set yourself up for success from the start.

Some questions you can ask about how success is measured include:

• What are the metrics used to measure success in this role?

• What are the expectations for this role in the first year?

• How is performance reviewed?

Questions about compensation

While this can feel like the hardest part of the conversation, it’s important to make sure that you’re being compensated fairly for your work. Asking about compensation shows that you value your time and skill set and that you’re not afraid to negotiate for what you deserve.

Coming prepared and knowing the average salary ranges for roles within your industry ahead of time is a good way to know if the company plans to pay the industry standards.

Some questions you can ask about compensation include:

• What is the salary range for this role?

• Are there opportunities for bonuses or commission?

• What are the benefits and vacation policies like?

Questions about the hiring process

If you feel like the interview is going well and all of your other questions have been answered to your satisfaction, it’s time to ask about the hiring process.

Asking about the next steps shows that you’re interested in the role and that you want to move forward in the process.

Some questions you can ask about the hiring process include:

• What are the next steps in this process?

• What is the timeline for this process?

• When can I expect to hear back from you?

Leave a lasting impression on your interviewer

Asking common interview questions is an important part of the job interview process because it allows you to get more information about the role, the team, and the company. It also shows that you’re interested in the role and that you’re prepared for the interview.

Remember to ask questions that are relevant to you and your situation. Don’t be afraid to ask about things that are important to you, such as work-life balance or compensation.

The most important thing is to be prepared and to ask questions that will help you determine if this is the right role for you.

After all, you’re not just there to answer interview questions, you’re there to interview the company as well.

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