5 Best Questions to Ask at the End of the Job Interview

As a job seeker, it’s important to remember that interviews are for you just as much as they are for the company you’re interviewing for. Job interviews are likely the only chance you have to ask direct questions before the onboarding process, if you are successful. It’s important to use the opportunity wisely to ask your interviewer the right questions. And by asking the right questions, the interviewer is forced to go “off script” and provide a more authentic view into the organization (and you might impress them with your thoroughness too!)

So, what questions should you ask your interviewer? Here’s five great questions to ask at the end of an interview to help you get a closer look into the company you are applying for. 

1. What does a typical day in this role entail?
Asking this question helps you gain insight into your actual day to day schedule, responsibilities, and expectations. You can compare your expectations for the role with the interviewer’s and assess the role’s fit. 

You can also glean more information on the potential work-life balance in the role. For example, if the interviewer says, “you’ll work late nights,” this may mean you could be expected to work overtime often. If you are not comfortable working outside of your posted hours, the role might not be right for you. Conversely, if the interviewer raves about vacation benefits, flexible scheduling, or other benefits, you may be inclined to accept the eventual job offer!

If the interviewer is knowledgeable about your role and responsibilities, this can be a green flag as well. If an organization is properly organized, an interviewer should have a good understanding of what you’re being hired to do, and how your role fits into the wider company.

2. How would you describe your company’s culture?
This is another great question to assess the company’s internal operations and determine whether they fit your personality and work ethic. If a company has certain values you are interested in, they would likely be discussed by the interviewer here, and you can learn more about their initiatives. 

Workplace culture also includes the attitudes and personalities within the company. If the interviewer talks positively about the internal organization of the business, you may be more confident that your experience will be the same. 

3. Do you have career development or further learning opportunities for this position?
As you move forward in a career, it’s important to focus on how you can develop new skills to move up the ladder. Asking about further learning opportunities is an effective way to determine whether the company you’re interviewing for has the capacity to further your career in the long run. 

4. How do you (or your organization) manage problems, or work towards turning a project around?
It’s likely you will run into road-bumps in any position, especially when meeting deadlines or working on complex projects. As a candidate, you should ask about how you’ll be supported when those problems arise. This question can help you understand what procedures (if any) the company implements to properly support your development during the difficult moments you may experience. 

5. What are the characteristics of a successful candidate in this position?
By asking this question, you can understand how the company will define your personal performance. Your interest in being successful in the role is a green flag for the interviewer, too: it shows you are passionate about contributing to the team or wider company. They may be able to tell you more details on performance metrics, like expected sales numbers or completed projects. This better helps you prepare your goals to work towards before performance reviews, to ensure your long-term success.