3 Questions to Ask In A Job Interview

I remember attending an interview last year and the question I was asked by the interviewer was, “Do you have any questions for us?”

I had not invested in interview preparation coaching so I didn’t know the best way to respond but I believed that I had prepared well for the interview and so far, it was great as I had answered all the questions to the best of my ability.

So, when this question was posed to me, I decided to be truthful and answered “no” because I had researched thoroughly about the company and the role. Little did I know that responding “No, I have no questions,” was the worst mistake that I made as the interview came to an end

When asked this question, it is the best opportunity for you to ask not only the right but smart questions. Asking questions shows the interviewer that you are engaged and interested in the role. It also allows you to gather valuable information to help you determine if the job is a good fit for you.

What questions then should you ask your interviewer? Here are 3 questions you can ask that will make the employer know you are interested in the job and consider you for the opportunity.

1. What does success look like in this role?

This question gives the hiring manager a chance to define clear expectations and goals for the position. Getting a clear picture of what “success” means to the company allows you to determine if your skills and career goals align with the expectations for the role.

A generic response like “performing job duties well” isn’t very helpful. Push for more specifics like quantifiable goals related to productivity, customer satisfaction, sales figures, etc.

You want to leave the interview room knowing exactly what milestones and achievements you’ll be measured by if hired. Don’t just ask – follow up by explaining how your experience has led to success metrics similar to what they described.

For example, in my last role, I consistently met and exceeded weekly quotas, making me the top salesperson 3 quarters in a row.

Connecting past achievements to the definition of success shows you are truly focused on results. Statistics show over 80% of hiring managers rank work examples as one of the most influential factors in making a hiring decision, so be prepared to give concrete examples.

2. What is the company culture like and what are the opportunities for growth?

Company culture and potential for growth and development are huge factors in job satisfaction. Asking about culture allows the interviewer to expand on perks, work environment, company values, and how people interact.

Listen for words like “collaborative,” “fast-paced,” or “mentorship” which give you a sense of the work style and opportunities. You also gain valuable insights into potential mentors, networking possibilities, and chances to take on new responsibilities within the company.

You might follow up by asking about programs to earn certifications or the process for advancing to other roles.

Share your own goals and how the company culture seems like a good fit. For instance, “I’m really interested in expanding my leadership skills. It sounds like there are opportunities here to take on more responsibilities and mentorship programs to help develop new skills. Culture is really important to me and it seems like a great environment to grow in this role.”

3. What do you see as the biggest challenges for this role and how will I be supported?

No job is without its challenges. Understanding potential roadblocks allows you to demonstrate how your skills and experience position you to handle difficulties and overcome obstacles.

It also shows you are thinking strategically about the realities of the work, not just the perks. Asking about support signals that you value collaborative problem-solving rather than solitary success.

If I had asked a question like this, it would have expanded my knowledge of day-to-day challenges like tight deadlines, difficult clients, workflow issues, or technology problems. This would have emphasized my ability to take initiative and work well under pressure or as part of a team.

If asked about a past challenge, share how you addressed it, learned from mistakes, and were supported through the process. Leave the interviewer knowing you thrive when supported but can independently handle whatever obstacles may arise.

Any of these three questions demonstrate thoughtfulness, initiative, and self-awareness. Paired with examples of your relevant qualifications, they will allow you to guide the conversation to a successful close. Are you interested in being coached on more ways to pass an interview? Invest in our Interview Coaching Sessions today to understand how to respond to different questions.