Do you have any questions for us? (6 types of smart questions to ask an interviewer.)

By winfieldteam

Why should we ask questions?

You want to know what you’re getting yourself into. You want to have an insight beforehand. You need to know about the environment, the culture, the values, and the code of conduct. That’s why you should have questions to ask an interviewer.

Why should we ask these questions?

We have gathered six smart questions to ask an interviewer so you get a better insight 

When was the last time you had no questions to ask an interviewer when they asked you “Do you have any questions for us?”.

How did you go through the silence of no words? Some people prefer not to have any questions so that, they wouldn’t get into trouble if asking something wrong or the question makes no sense to the interviewer.  

Why we don’t ask any questions? Maybe we’re scared these are wrong questions to ask an interviewer or think that the questions we ask make us look dumb, or sometimes we are just so anxious and nervous that our minds go blank. 

That’s why it’s always better to be prepared and have a couple of thought-out questions in our pocket.

These are some tips for questions to ask an interviewer that can help you answer the question “Do you have any questions for us?”

The first types of smart questions to ask an interviewer

You want a better insight into the role, so you want to find out exactly what they’re looking for. Ask one of these questions, take notes, and pay attention to which requirements they emphasize over others. You can use this information in the interview or future interviews or the “Thank you” email. 

  •  Can you explain the job in your own words? (can be used at the beginning or the end)
  • I had a chance to review the job description, but it would be really helpful to hear it from your lore and perspective. How would you explain the duties of the role?

The second types of smart questions to ask an interviewer

You want to show the interviewer that you’re planning on staying and working for them for many years. You want them to know you’re not just interested in money, but how the company moves forward and evolves you with it. You genuinely want to help them be successful in the future, and that’s 100% appealing to any hiring manager.

  • How do you see the company evolving over the next five years?
  • What could I do in this role to help you achieve your vision?

The third types of smart questions to ask an interviewer

You want to show the interviewer that you are aware of how vital a positive workplace culture is to the success of a company. You want to show that you are a forward-thinking employee. 

  • What’s the culture like within the company?
  • How would you describe the company culture?
  • What are your company values?
  • How would you describe the work environment?
  • What kind of events do you attend outside of work hours?

The fourth types of smart questions to ask an interviewer

You want to understand the situation you’re getting into, such as the reason why the last person left.  Helps you to get more context around one of the top drivers of satisfaction in job growth. It also signals to employers that you are focused on responsibilities rather than just promotions and title changes. The response will provide you with the exact information you need to ace the interview question, “Why should we hire you?”, and so much more information to lock this offer down. Here also take notes, and pay attention to which requirements they emphasize over others.

  • What makes this role available?
  • What kind of additional responsibilities can be gained over time in this role?
  • What do you want this role to accomplish in the first 90 days?

The fifth types of smart questions to ask an interviewer

These questions show that you’re data-driven, results-oriented, and have a strong work ethic. It also helps you understand whether their definition of success matches yours. 

  • How do you measure success in this role?
  • How do you define success?
  • How Do You Determine Or Evaluate Success?

The last types of smart questions to ask an interviewer

You want to know what the employer’s top-of-mind pain points are so that going forward you can focus your interview answers on how you will address that pain. Ultimately, employers hire those they know will make their life easier. So make sure you can clearly communicate how you will help them in the areas where they need it most. 

  • What have been the biggest challenges in this role?
  • How did you overcome the biggest challenge of this role?

I hope this piece can help you in your future interviews. 

If you have any questions about” questions to ask an interviewer “ or any other questions for us or had a similar experience please let us know in the comment section below.

Thank you for your time and attention.