What questions should I ask?

Hooray, you have just been invited to a job interview. But now what? As in many other situations in life, good preparation is half the battle. You show curiosity and interest and stand out from the crowd by asking smart and different questions. In addition, you will be able to figure out whether the vacant position and especially the company and its culture are a good fit for you This means: It is important that you come up with a few questions in advance. What do you want to know about the job? About the company? The department? The team? You can recognize high potentials not only by the answers they give but by the questions they ask. To get you thinking, we've compiled a list of important questions to ask in an interview. We definitely don't recommend asking all of the questions listed as some of them will certainly be answered during the interview. Other questions you can use when needed or when you find suitable. Do however make sure, that when the inevitable "Do you have any questions for us?" comes up, that you do not answer that question with a simple “no” but with well-prepared questions.
 

• What does a typical day at work look like?
• What are the most pressing projects that need completion?
• What are the biggest challenges someone in this position might face?
• Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?
• Have successful employees who previously held this position been promoted or were able to advance their career?
   

• What are the most important things someone should accomplish in the first 90 days in this position?
• What are the performance expectations for this position in the first 12 months?
• What is the performance review process here?
• How exactly / how often / from whom do I get feedback on my performance
• What KPIs will be used to evaluate my performance?
   

• I read about the company's history and formation ... but can you tell me more about...? ...?
• Where do you see the company in the next few years?
• What can you tell me about your new products or growth plans?
• What are the company's current goals, and how is the team working to achieve them?
• What excites you most about the future of the company?
   

• Can you tell me about the team I will be working with?
• Who will I be reporting directly to? Can you tell me about my direct reports?
• What are their strengths and what are the team's biggest challenges?
• Will you be hiring others in this department in the next six months?
• What are the common career paths in this department?
   

• What is the company and team culture like? How has the company changed and evolved over the past few years?
• How would you describe the work environment here - is the work typically collaborative or more independent?
• Can you tell me about the last team event you held together?
• How do you and your team typically spend lunch breaks?
• Do you sometimes do joint events with other companies or departments?
   

• What are the next steps in the application process? What is your timeframe to complete the application process, make your final decisions, and reassign the position?
• What does the onboarding process generally look like at your company?
• From your perspective, is there anything I could work on to better qualify or prepare for the vacant position?
• Is there anything else I can provide that would be helpful to you?
• Can I answer any final questions you may have?

Still not sure what questions to ask? Contact us now, we are happy to help!