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20 Smart Questions To Ask During An Interview

Read about the most popular 20 smart questions to ask during an interview.
Submitted by Mehak Aggarwal, on December 30, 2022

At some point in our lives, we all wonder how we should conduct ourselves during interviews. Since almost everyone sits in one interview or more during our lives, we can never be too prepared. The first ones are always the hardest, considering we don't know the best ways to conduct ourselves. Today we'll talk about some smart questions that you should ask during interviews, to make a better first impression in front of the interviewer.

During any interview, the interviewer asks "do you have any questions?" By asking this, they expect you to ask some worthwhile questions to gauge your interest and passion for the job opportunity. Asking questions will not just make a good first impression, but you will also get to know a lot about the company you'll potentially work for. However, the most important thing is for you the ask relevant and apt questions.

Some things you could learn by asking questions are:

Your job/ role in the company
The company's environment
Your daily tasks
How to company operates, and it's values
The kind of people that work for the company

What kind of questions should you ask during an interview?

1) What would my responsibilities be for this job position?

By asking this, you will get a better understanding of what your day-to-day responsibilities would be. This would help you get a better understanding of the position you're getting hired for.

2) Does your company provide on-job training?

This will help the interviewer understand your mindset, and that you are keen to learn anything and everything that is coming your way. It will also help in enhancing your skills further.

3) What are some challenges that the person in this position might face?

This will help create a situation for you to talk about some of the challenges you might have faced in your previous company. It could help you get an understanding of how to face potential challenges that might come your way during your time in the company.

4) What does a typical day or week look like in the company?

The answer to this question will help you visualise how your days will look like if you were to be a part of the company. It will also help you understand whether you're walking into a chaotic situation or if it will be calm and sorted.

5) What are the possibilities of career growth in this job profile?

This will give you a long-term vision of your time in the company, and it will help the interviewer understand how you envision yourself in the team if you were to be a part of the company. Not just that, you'll also better understand your future career opportunities and the opportunities you will get within the company long-term.

6) What kind of leadership skills do you require in the company?

This would help the interviewer notice that you are looking to stay long-term in the company and that you are serious about the job. It also shows that you want to use your skills for the betterment of the company.

7) What are you looking for in a candidate?

By asking this question, both you and the interviewer will better understand if you're suitable for the position being offered or not. There is a possibility that you're not ready to offer what the company is looking for or vice versa.

8) Is relocation a possibility?

Whether you are looking to move and relocate for a job or not, you should ask this question before you start working. If the company expects you to relocate after a couple of months or years, this should be discussed beforehand.

9) Is overtime required for this role?

Although some people might think this is a negative question, it implies your interest in completing any job that is given to you. Apart from this, it will also give you more clarity about the role you will be expected to play and your importance to the team.

10) How many people work in this office or department?

This question will pass the impression that you're excited to be a part of the team and you are a team player. It also shows that you are interested in learning about the people you will potentially be working with. It will also tell you more about the work culture of the office.

11) What is the best part about working for this company?

This shows that you are very keen to be a part of the company, and you are looking forward to whatever is coming your way. It also leaves a positive impact on the interviewer.

12) What are the future goals of the company?

You will get the opportunity to let the interviewer know about your prior research on the company and its prospective growth. You will also get important information about the future goals of the company.

13) How do you evaluate the performance of the employees?

You can learn about crucial performance measures and key performance indicators that the company works on. Additionally, it will give you an idea regarding the job profile and how you could advance in the company.

14) Does the higher management interact with existing employees and new hires?

By asking this question, you will project yourself as a team player and a social person. It also shows that you are interested in taking part in different activities that take place in the company, rather than just finishing your work and leaving.

15) Would you like me to clarify more about my resume, qualifications etc?

Since the interview is still going on, you will get a chance to impress the interviewer further by elaborating on some things that you have not mentioned in your resume. You'll be able to showcase your strengths and skills. This would also be helpful for the interviewer to come to a conclusion about whether you would be an asset to the company.

16) Do you have any reviews for me based on this interview?

This shows that you're willing to learn and grow, and you don't consider yourself a "know it all". It helps create a better professional connection between you and the interviewer. You will also get worthwhile suggestions or advice that will play a critical role in the job or other career opportunities in the future.

17) What would I be expected to accomplish during the first month or year?

This will give you a true picture of your potential role and other important insights. It will also help you understand what your employer expects from you, and how you can grow in this field. Lastly, it will show the interviewer that you are not afraid to put in the hard work and meet any goals that have been set.

18) How has the company changed over the past few years?

You would want to be in a company that aims for growth, not just for the company but also for the employees. This question will help you understand how the company has changed or progressed over the years, and what potential changes it will go through in the coming years.

19) If I am offered the job, how soon would you like me to start?

This shows two things. 1, you are keen to be a part of the company, and 2, you don't shy away from work. You want to understand what the company expects from you and in return, you will be able to show what you have to offer.

20) How would you describe the company's values?

It is very important to understand whether your values are in line with the values of the company you want to work for. This will help you better understand what the company believes in and also how it treats its employees.

There are a lot of other questions that you could ask your potential employer. Some examples are:

What other departments will I be required to work with?
Does this position offer other company visits or off-site training?
Aside from my job profile, will I also get an opportunity to be a part of a different project?
What is the onboarding process for new hires?
Would I need to travel in this job profile?

While asking questions during an interview is recommended, it is important to avoid certain questions that might not sit well with the interviewer. Some questions could showcase you in a negative light.

Some questions to avoid asking:

How much salary would I get, and are there any additional benefits?
Don't ask questions that start with a "why".
How often do we get reviewed?
Can I arrive early and leave early, after I finish my required job hours?
Can I work from home instead of coming to the office?
Would you be interested in seeing my references?
How soon do you promote employees in your company?
Will my social networking profiles be monitored?
Who are your main competitors?
What exactly does this company do?
How soon can I start taking vacations or sick leaves after joining?

Final Thoughts

To make a positive impact in the interview, you must always ask the right questions. There are many other things you can ask apart from this based on the kind of job you are applying for or by reading the situation with the interviewer. However, always make sure that the questions you ask are relevant and specific to your job profile. If you keep quiet and don’t ask any questions, you will leave a negative impact on your interviewer. Those who are willing to learn, always ask questions.

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