Ten clever questions to ask the job interviewer

So you’re in an interview and know you should be asking that hiring manager some critical questions, but you need to figure out what they are. In this article, I will share ten clever questions to ask the job interviewer.

As a corporate recruiter, I’ve talked to hundreds of hiring managers during the recruitment process. And they universally share that they like when a candidate asks good questions.   Because it shows they are engaged in the role.  

You should be interviewing the company too!

As a job seeker, you want to ensure that you’re asking those questions during the interviewing process.  Not only will you show more interest, but it also allows you to screen them.  

I’m a big proponent of being selective with the roles you accept because a lousy job can set your career back. 

That’s where asking interview questions comes into play. 

Remember, we want to be interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing us. It’s not supposed to be a one-way street. The best candidates I’ve interviewed in my career felt like they were interviewing me more than the other way around. 

Remember, these are just some ideas that are a starting point. Select which ones you feel are the most appropriate for you. 

Ok, let’s get to the questions you should ask during your job interview.  

READ: How to be more confident in job interviews

Why is this position open? 

It will give you a good insight into the department dynamic you’re considering joining. 

If the previous employee got terminated, laid off, fired, or quit, that gives you some idea of what’s happening behind the scenes. Is there a deeper problem? Are expectations reasonable? Knowing why the position is open can help you decide if the role is a good fit for you.

Why did they quit their job?

If they did quit, probe the interviewer and say, “I’m just curious; why did they quit the job?” 

If they left because they weren’t satisfied with the type of work they’re doing, make sure you’re also happy. And if they got terminated, that would be another question for them. 

Ask why they get terminated.  Why weren’t they successful? 

You’re trying to gather data points to make the best possible decision for yourself.  If the position is an added headcount, that could be a good sign the department is growing.

What is your vision for this role? 

I always want to know why the position was created. If you can sneak this question in early in the interview, you’ll have an advantage throughout the interview.  Cater your answers to ensure you hit on why you’re the best fit.

What’s your biggest weakness? 

Watch: how to answer what’s your biggest weakness. 

So you can flip the script and ask the interviewer, what’s one weakness that you currently have in your department? And if you want to take it a step further, you can ask them what strengths they have in their department, but again, you’re looking to get an idea of where you could fit in and if your skill set aligns with the position.  

You can also reverse this question by asking about the department’s strengths.  How would this position complement it?    

How Does this role contribute to solving those weaknesses? 

Take it further and ask how this role addresses some of those weaknesses – or accentuates those strengths. You can then decide whether or not you align well with what they say. 

How do you measure success?

You want to make sure that you’re walking into a good situation. 

Ask how success is measured in the first 30, 60, and 90 days.  Because we want to make sure expectations are realistic. If the hiring manager isn’t well aligned with the realities of the position, it’s a chance for you to push back and ensure you get those questions answered. 

You might find yourself dealing with a red flag employer.

Watch: red flags in your job interview. 

I also made a video about that, so check it out if you’re wondering if you’re dealing with one of them. 

But these questions will help you determine whether or not it will be an excellent cultural fit for you. Because we all know you’re more likely to fail if you come in with unreasonable expectations.

What made the previous person successful?

The next question assumes that the previous employee was promoted or recognized in this role.   

Ask why that person was promoted and what made them successful.  Listening closely to what the hiring manager is saying will give you an idea of what you need to do to succeed. 

Take note, and you’ve already got a roadmap to duplicate what they did. 

What potential growth opportunities do you see?

The next question will be important if you intend to climb the corporate ladder. Where do you see potential growth opportunities in the long term? 

LEARN: things you shouldn’t say in an interview.   

In a video, I mentioned that you should wait to ask about promotional opportunities. I was referring to appearing overly anxious to move onto a more prominent role too soon.  But it’s very reasonable for a candidate to understand possible career paths. 

Ask the hiring manager to clarify their long-term vision for the role. You want to ensure that you’re not going to be at a dead-end company.  You also want to ensure the hiring manager has the ability to develop and promote their team.

But be careful to show plenty of interest in the role you’re interviewing for. 

Describe your leadership style

Now, the following questions have you vetting your boss, which you should be doing. You need to know whether or not you’re going to align well with their leadership style. Ask, “how would you describe your leadership style?” 

Or you can go with a spin-off version, which is more fun. 

If I were to go out into your department and ask some of your direct reports how they would describe you as a leader, what would you think they would say? 

And then we get a chance to see if the manager is truly self-aware. 

Of course, they’re probably not going to admit they’re a terrible boss, but it’d be interesting to hear how they view their leadership style. 

In many cases, maybe they haven’t even thought about it before, but it’s always good to understand the type of boss you’ll be working for and whether or not that would be a good fit for you and your career. 

How is the company planning to stay competitive?  

The final questions are about the strategy of the organization. You don’t want to join an organization with no strategic direction or one you don’t buy into. 

And we need to know that there’s some stability in the position.  You want to avoid leaving a solid situation for a new opportunity and getting laid off immediately. 

Research the company before the interview!

I recommend doing some homework before the interview to determine their biggest competitors. And if the competition has a new technology or product that seems to be industry-shaking, you’ll want to ask about it.  

Say, “I noticed that one of your competitors came out with an intriguing new product process or idea. How is this company planning to address that and stay in front of the market?” 

Any respectable company will already know what its competitors are doing and have at least some idea of their strategic direction. And if they don’t, that’s a red flag, and you should ask more questions. 

What’s your most significant concern?  

The final question I ask is a fun one for the hiring manager.  It gets them to think strategically and gives you a better insight into their minds. 

Ask, “if you have one concern that keeps you up at night, whether in your department or with the company, what would that be?” 

And listen very closely to what they say because you’ll get some good insight into what’s happening behind the scenes. 

Ask your interview questions early! 

Remember to ask questions early in the interview.  Engage the interviewer with the goal of a two-way dialogue. That’s always the best way to ace the interview. 

But if you need more help getting through the interviewing process, I created a training course to help navigate each step.   Check it out if you’re ready to land your dream job! 

Remember, if you’re getting interviews, you’re doing something right. So keep doing what you’re doing, and we will get you across that finish line!

---

Learn how to write a resume that gives you the best chance of getting the job interview with Resume Rocketfuel! Templates included!