Questions to ask the interviewer at the end of an interview
When an interviewer asks "Do you have any questions for us?", saying no wastes your best chance to learn about the job and show you think carefully. Prepare four or five questions, ask two or three, and choose ones the job post or website cannot already answer.
At a glance
- Always ask something. "No questions" reads as low interest.
- Prepare five, expect two or three to be answered during the interview.
- Ask about the work, the team, success and next steps.
- Keep pay, leave and perks for the recruiter or the offer stage unless they raise them.
- Write the answers down; they help you compare offers.
Questions about the role
- What would a successful first 90 days look like for this role?
- What does a typical week involve, and what takes up most of the time?
- What is the hardest part of this job?
- How is the role measured, and how often is feedback given?
Questions about the team and manager
- Who would I work with most closely?
- How does the team make decisions and handle disagreement?
- How would you describe your management style?
- Why is this role open? Is it new or a replacement?
Questions about growth and the company
- What have people who did well in this role gone on to do?
- How does the team learn new skills: courses, mentoring, conferences?
- What are the company's priorities for the next year, and how does this team contribute?
Questions to close the interview
- Is there anything about my background that gives you pause? I would like to address it.
- What are the next steps and when should I expect to hear from you?
- Who should I contact if I have questions afterwards?
The first closing question is bold, but it gives you a chance to correct a misunderstanding before the decision is made.
Questions to avoid
| Avoid | Why | Ask instead |
|---|---|---|
| "What does your company do?" | Shows no research | A specific question about a product or customer group |
| "How soon can I get promoted?" | Sounds like you are leaving already | "What does growth look like in this role?" |
| "Can I work from home?" (first thing) | Fine to ask, but order matters | Ask after the work questions, or check the posting first |
Tips for asking well
- Listen first. Cross out questions that were already answered.
- Follow up on what the interviewer said ("You mentioned... could you say more?").
- Tailor each question to the person: a hiring manager, a peer or HR.
- Take notes, and thank them in your follow-up email.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions should I ask? Two to four, depending on the time left. In a short phone screen, one or two.
Can I ask about salary? If the posting shows no range, ask the recruiter early in the process what the range is. See how to negotiate salary.
What if my questions were all answered? Say so, and ask a follow-up on one answer, or ask about next steps.
Next step
Pick your best five from the lists above, add one that is specific to the company, and practice saying them aloud.
This page is general career information.