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99 Best Questions to Ask in an Interview

As your job interview comes to a close, one of the most common questions you'll be asked is "Do you have any questions for me"? The hiring manager will expect you to have some inquiries. If you don't ask questions, you can come across unprepared or disinterested which can be a red flag.

Just as you'd use the STAR method to prepare for behavioural interview questions, we recommend planning ahead and having your own interview questions you want to ask. Asking questions is not only a great way to dig into the company culture, but it also helps you get an idea of what a typical day may look like.

Remember, you're not only trying to get a job, but you're also making a decision about what it might look like to work there and whether you're a good fit.

Guidelines for asking questions

While you don't have to ask every question listed below, nor could you, having a few good questions will make you look informed and prepared for the interview process. With that said, keep the following things in mind when preparing your list of questions.

• Avoid only asking self-serving questions: Otherwise known as "me" questions. These include questions about salary, health insurance, vacation time, work hours per week, benefits, and other concessions. Remember the main point of an interview is to demonstrate that you're a good fit for the company. With that said, it's also about assessing whether you want to work there.
• Ask a question at a time: Avoid complex, multi-part questions. They're hard to follow and even harder to answer. Try to keep each question focused on a specific point.
• Avoid "Yes" or "No" questions: Most one-word answer questions can easily be answered by the company's website or Google. Instead, stick to questions that open up the dialogue and let you learn insider information that isn't easily accessible.
• Ask questions about multiple topics: Avoid asking questions about a single topic. Don't only ask about the job responsibilities for example. Hiring managers want to know that you're interested and ideally passionate about the company, not just your role. Asking questions about a variety of topics is also a great way to determine whether the company is a good fit for you.
• Don't ask what the company does: This is a big red flag and shows you haven't done any research ahead of time. Show respect to yourself and the company, invest a bit of time getting to know the company before your interview.

17 questions to ask about the job

First, make sure you get a handle on what exactly the day-to-day responsibilities of the job are and will be in the future, as well as things that weren't necessarily clear in the job description.

1. What does a typical day look like?
2. Can you talk me through an example project I might work on?
3. What are the biggest challenges I would face in this job?
4. What are the skills and attributes you're looking for in an ideal person?