{"id":114863,"date":"2019-01-03T21:32:59","date_gmt":"2019-01-03T20:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=114863"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:34:12","slug":"best-interview-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/best-interview-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Best questions to ask before leaving your next job interview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-116790 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/job-interview-career-2-700.jpg\" alt=\"job interview\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/job-interview-career-2-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/job-interview-career-2-700-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Interviews are more than an opportunity to dazzle a new potential employer with a pristine resume and your quick wits, it\u2019s a two-way street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">While the interviewer is there to ask questions that help them understand you and what you bring to the table, you need to be prepared to ask the questions that will help you understand if the job is right for you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">That said, many of us dread that final interview question \u2014 \u201cso, do you have any questions for me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The answer should always be &#8220;yes,&#8221; regardless of the position or how well your interviewer explained the role. It\u2019s one of those weird unwritten rules\u2014like how you have to say &#8220;good&#8221; or &#8220;fine&#8221; anytime someone asks how you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Recruiter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/any-questions-what-to-ask-in-an-interview\"><span class=\"s1\">Angela Smith told The Muse<\/span><\/a> that if an applicant doesn\u2019t have any questions, it\u2019s a red flag. She says it makes her think that they either didn\u2019t do their research or don\u2019t care whether they get the job.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Additionally, asking smart questions can give you a leg up on the competition. This is a chance to show that you\u2019re smart and engaged \u2014 as well as help you identify red flags of your own and get a sense of what your new daily routine might look like.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Here are some high-level questions that can help you wow your interviewer and clarify some things that\u2019ll help you make a decision, too.<\/p>\n<h2>Best questions to ask a prospective employer in a job interview<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-116792\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/job-interview-career-700.jpg\" alt=\"job interview\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/job-interview-career-700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/01\/job-interview-career-700-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">&#8220;Describe the perfect candidate for this role&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\">This question can uncover some valuable information about the role that you might not find in the job description. You might learn more about which skills the company values most, how the ideal candidate fits into the culture, and potential expectations.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">&#8220;What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">This question is an important one to ask if the description wasn\u2019t 100% clear. More so if you\u2019ll be working with a small team or the company itself is small \u2014 as in these cases, there may be more cross-functionality than you were expecting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Additionally, it\u2019s worth pointing out that this question isn\u2019t appropriate for every role. A marketing manager or a consultant may have responsibilities that look different from company to company.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">In a sales position, this may make it seem like you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing\u2014as chances are, you\u2019ll be connecting with prospects and clients day to day. In this case, a more appropriate question might be something like, \u201cHow much time do sales reps spend in the field or traveling vs. in the office?\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/11\/freelancer-worker-woman-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">How to use social media to find your next job<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-use-social-media-to-find-your-next-job\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-use-social-media-to-find-your-next-job\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">&#8220;What is the company culture like?&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">A question like this is a good one, especially if you\u2019re concerned about turnover or the company\u2019s approach to creating growth opportunities for their employees. The interviewer, of course, will be trying to make the position sound as appealing as possible, but feel free to build on this question after they give an initial response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Follow-up questions might include the following:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">What activities are offered to employees? If there are a lot of game nights, sports leagues, and so on, there\u2019s likely an expectation to participate in extracurriculars.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\">What career paths are available?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Do people have flexible schedules?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What\u2019s the dress code?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What do <i>you<\/i> like about working here?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/work-woman-laptop-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">These are the highest-paying online careers<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/these-are-the-highest-paying-online-careers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/these-are-the-highest-paying-online-careers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">&#8220;What metrics do you use to determine success?&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p>Another way to identify any potential red flags here is to ask about how the company measures performance.<\/p>\n<p>Gaining some insight into how this company measures success will help you understand what you&#8217;ll be judged against, which may add some weight as to whether this position is a fit or not. Does the interviewer have unrealistic standards or follow a system that seems fair and easy to grasp?<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, if the interviewer doesn&#8217;t have a sense of what success looks like in the context of this role, that might be a sign of frustration to come.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/telecommute-facetime-job-interview-worker-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">How to prepare for a FaceTime job interview<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-prepare-for-a-facetime-job-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-prepare-for-a-facetime-job-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">&#8220;What are the biggest challenges the company is currently facing?&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Challenges stand to help you identify the key issues affecting the industry, and the organization itself. Asking this question could identify areas where your particular expertise stands to help the company overcome weak areas \u2014 i.e. a great place to gain an edge on the competition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/work-woman-laptop-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">Now you can search for jobs directly on Google<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/now-you-can-search-for-jobs-directly-on-google\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/now-you-can-search-for-jobs-directly-on-google\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">&#8220;What are the next steps?&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Don\u2019t leave without asking what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">For one, this question allows you to make certain that the interviewer has all of the information they need to make a decision.<\/p>\n<p>Two &#8212; it gives you a timeline, so you won&#8217;t be waiting by your laptop refreshing your Gmail obsessively. And three, this question indicates interest about the position &#8212; which, of course, is always a plus.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">And&#8230; we&#8217;ll leave you with a few things to avoid<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">First of all, don\u2019t ask any questions that you should already know the answer to.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Think, \u201cWhat does this company even do?\u201d A small misstep will make it look like you haven\u2019t bothered to prepare.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Additionally, you shouldn\u2019t ask about salary in an interview. If they like you, that conversation will happen in time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">We\u2019re not completely on board with this norm, as you might waste your time jumping through hoops when something might not work for your lifestyle. Indeed recommends<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/career-advice\/interviewing\/how-to-talk-about-salary-in-a-job-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> providing a range<\/a>, as opposed to a set amount. The Muse says\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/10-interview-questions-you-should-never-ask-and-5-you-always-should\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">skip it<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, tread lightly here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">If you\u2019re working with a recruiter, it might be worth asking them at the outset and doing some research behind the scenes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During the actual interview, your job is to build trust and demonstrate your competency. And, the best way to do this is by asking smart questions that dive deeper. 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Keep these questions in mind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9161,"featured_media":116793,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":6},"categories":[2518,2441],"tags":[],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-114863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","category-how-to"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9161"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114863"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":326821,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114863\/revisions\/326821"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114863"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=114863"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=114863"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=114863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}