questions to ask after interview, killer questions to ask at the end of an interview, Company-specific questions, Role-specific questions

Discover the best smart questions to ask at the end of a job interview to impress hiring managers and show you’re the right fit for the role.

“Do you have any questions for us?” Most candidates heave a sigh of relief on hearing this question. It signals that the interview is drawing to a close. However, this moment is a golden opportunity to impress the interviewer and stand out as a promising candidate. Asking relevant questions at the end of an interview shows you’re genuinely interested in the role.

Based on the interviewer’s response, you can also assess how likely you are to get the job. The sooner you clarify your doubts, the faster you can decide if the opportunity is right for you—especially if you are considering another offer from a different company.

However, you should decide carefully as to what questions to ask at the end of the interview and what not to ask. In other words, you need to ask smart questions—including company-specific questions and role-specific questions at the end of a job interview—that allow you to build rapport and get the information you seek.

In this blog, we’ll uncover:

  • The best questions to ask after an interview

  • Company-specific questions to ask after interview

  • Role-specific questions

  • How to choose which questions to ask after an interview?

Role-specific questions

Why Asking Smart Questions Matters

Interviews are a two-way conversation with both parties wanting to understand if they are the right fit for each other. Asking questions shows that you have been thinking deeply about the role and that you are curious about how the team works on a day-to-day basis. The quality of your questions indicates your industry knowledge and helps recruiters understand how you could contribute to the growth of the organization.

Employers today look for strategic thinkers who proactively offer solutions rather than merely following established norms. So it is worth investing time in thinking about questions to ask at the end of the interview.

smart interview question

What Makes A Smart Interview Question?

A smart interview question can be:

  • Company-specific

    These questions relate to company policies, structure, business goals, or factors like salary and benefits, retirement, insurance, leave policy, and so on.

  • Role-specific

    Identifies how the company defines success for your role. For example: performance metrics, promotion opportunities, learning and development resources, work schedules, etc.

Top Company-Specific Questions

Company-specific questions relate to the short-term and long-term plans of the company:

What are the biggest goals for the business in the next 12 months?

This question helps you better understand how your performance impacts the team and overall business growth

What is the company culture like?

This question helps you understand whether the company culture or team environment is right for you.

What learning and development resources are available?

Shows you are committed to professional development and upskilling

What are some social initiatives the company is a part of?

This question shows curiosity about the company’s broader mission and values. It helps you assess if they align with your personal values

Does the company support health and wellness programs for employees?

This question can nudge the interviewer to provide information about benefits and incentives. It can be a good way to segue into a salary discussion.

What do you like best about working at this company?

This question gives you a first-hand perspective on the work environment and team dynamics at the company.

Top Role-Specific Questions

Closing an interview with role-specific questions can give you a better understanding of the job profile.

What are the top three priorities for this role in the next three to six months?

This question shows you have a deep interest in the role and want to contribute right away.

What does a typical day on the job look like?

This question helps you understand day-to-day responsibilities. It indicates to the interviewer that you have a proactive attitude.

What qualities or skills have made others successful in this role?

This question indicates you have a curious mind and are willing to learn new skills to perform well in the role.

Can you tell me about the team I will be working with or who will be reporting to me?

This question shows eagerness to learn about the team structure and work environment.

Killer Questions to Ask At the End of an Interview

Make a list of questions to ask at the end of an interview, but choose only a few good ones——it is your final chance to make a positive impression. Here are some questions you can use:

How does this role impact the company’s overall performance?

With this question, you show that you can think in terms of big picture goals and align them to your role

Based on our conversation so far, is there anything that you would like me to clarify or expand on for you?

This question is an opportunity to cover any doubts or apprehensions the interviewer may have.

Do you have any feedback for me based on our discussions so far?

This shows you are open to feedback and value the interviewer’s opinion about your performance

What does your ideal candidate for this role look like?

By asking for objective feedback on the best-fit candidate, you can address any perceived shortcomings and increase your chances of being shortlisted.

How to Choose Which Questions to Ask?

Find out who the interviewer is in advance. If you will be speaking with:

  • HR

    In most cases, HR managers are the best people to ask company-specific questions related to work culture, learning and development, or social initiatives. Read up on the company’s mission, values, and social impact programs before the interview.

  • Hiring Manager or Operations Manager

    Senior managers can provide a great overview of business goals, growth prospects, and business priorities.

  • Team Leader

    Team leaders are very familiar with the day-to-day roles and responsibilities, work schedules, and performance metrics. They can also familiarize you with aspects like appraisals, increments, and so on.

    Company performance: Based on your research, you should also ask questions related to its products or services, and recent news featuring the company. This information can be gained from annual reports, public notices, company press releases, stock market disclosures, investor updates, and so on.

    To decide which questions to ask at the end of an interview, assess the overall flow of the interview. If you think there’s a good chance you might get the job, you can ask questions about the interviewer’s experience working at the company. Otherwise, it is best to stick to company or role-specific questions that indicate your interest in the role.

Tips on choosing the right questions to ask for better insights

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common questions you should never ask interviewers at the end of a job interview.

Salary and benefits

it is best to wait for the interviewer to bring up salary and benefits—asking a salary-related question upfront could indicate money-mindedness. Ideally, you should focus on the role and the impact you hope to make. Vacation, perks, and benefits should all be discussed only after they make you an offer.

Personal questions

Never ask the interviewer questions that are not strictly related to the company or your role. Questions relating to age, gender, community, or marital status can be offensive and result in outright rejection.

Promotion or advancement

Asking about promotions at the outset indicates you may jump ship in case you find a better opportunity.

Negative questions

Avoid questions related to recent layoffs, business downturns, or legal matters involving the company.

Build a fool-proof plan to ace your next interview with expert tips from GroYouth

Build a Fool-Proof Plan for Acing Interviews with GroYouth

Customizing resumes for different job descriptions is not enough. You also need to prepare for interviews by researching the employer and understanding their business. Rehearsing answers to common interview questions based on generic internet information can also result in disappointing results.

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