What questions should you ask interviewers

Job interviews are not just about giving good answers. They are also about asking your interviewer smart questions. Get the conversation going and learn more about your future job with these great questions to ask interviewers, no matter what their role.

Your video interview with a potential employer has gone very well and is about to wrap up, and then your interviewer inevitably asks, “Do you have any questions?”

The interviewer has provided you with an opportunity to learn about the role, the team, and the company from an insider’s perspective. Now would be an excellent time to seek insights and information to help you decide if the job and the company align with your career goals.

Job interviews are a two-way conversation—not an interrogation. As stressful as it seems, going through a series of interviews with the company helps both the job seeker and the employer decide if there is a good fit. Just as your future employer would want to know more about you and what you have to offer, you are likely curious about the company’s culture and what your job really entails.

To stand out from candidates who would otherwise take a long pause and reply, “No,” prepare for your interview with a short list of insightful questions you can ask. Select one or two from each section below, and tweak your list according to whom in the organization is interviewing you. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask all your interviewers the same question to get a clearer picture of your prospective employer.

What to ask Human Resources

Your initial interview is oftentimes with a human resources (HR) specialist or with the HR manager. Ask broader questions, such as current work-from-home arrangements and how employees are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and remote working. Questions may include:

1. Why is the position vacant?
2. What are the work hours and arrangements amid the pandemic? When are we expected to report to the office?
3. What personal growth and professional development opportunities do you provide?
4. Tell me more about your employee engagement activities.

What to ask a colleague

Some businesses arrange for an interview with a potential coworker or supervisor to see if you would work well with the team. Take this opportunity to ask about the team and work environment. Try any of the following questions:

1. How many people work in the department?
2. How would you describe the team culture?
3. What would a typical day look like for the role?
4. What does a typical work week look like for the team?

What to ask your hiring manager

The interview with the hiring manager—your future boss—is one of the most critical. Leave a lasting impression with very specific or technical questions about the role you’re applying for. Here are a few ideas:

1. Who will I closely work with?
2. What do you consider the biggest challenges in this role?
3. What would I be expected to accomplish in the first six months?
4. How is success measured in this role? At the department?

What to ask an executive

Don’t be intimidated by a senior executive or business leader. Look at your scheduled interview as a great way to learn more about the company and its long-term strategy. Smile and ask more intriguing questions, such as:

1. What has your career path at this company been like?
2. What are the company’s key priorities over the next five years?
3. What is (the relevant department)’s role in driving the company’s growth?
4. What type of people succeed at this company?

What to ask everyone in the organization

To get a clearer picture of the company culture and its influence on employees, ask one or two of these questions across the board.

1. What is your favorite office tradition?
2. Why did you choose to work for this company?
3. What do you enjoy most about working here?
4. Is there anything about my resume that makes you question if I am a good fit for this role?

Interviews aren’t just about giving the right answers—they’re about asking the right questions. Before you leave, make sure the interviewer has all of the information they need and that you’re clear on the next steps.
Ready for your next interview? Register at Kalibrr and apply for hundreds of job openings now.

Kalibrr is a technology company that aims to transform how candidates find jobs and how companies hire talent. Placing the candidate experience at the center of everything it does, the company continues to attract the best talent from all over, with almost three million professionals and counting. Kalibrr ultimately connects these talents to companies in search of their next generation of leaders.

The only end-to-end recruitment solutions provider in Southeast Asia, Kalibrr is headquartered in Makati, Philippines, with offices in San Francisco, California, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Established in 2012, it has served over 19,000 clients and is backed by some of the world’s most powerful start-up incubators and venture capitalists. These include Y Combinator, Omidyar Network, Patamar Capital, Wavemaker Partners, and Kickstart Ventures.

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