Interviews are a two-way street. While you’re there to showcase your skills and expertise, it’s also crucial to assess whether the company aligns with your career goals, values, and work style.

Having the right questions to ask in an interview can help you gauge the company's culture, expectations, and opportunities for growth.

In this article, we'll explore good interview questions to ask potential employer, empowering you to make a well-informed decision about your next career move.

What questions to ask in an interview

Why do questions for interviewer matter?

One of the most important reasons to ask questions is that it shows your genuine interest in the company and the role. Employers want to hire individuals who are excited about the opportunity, not just someone looking for a paycheck.

Preparing good questions to ask in an interview will send a signal to the employer that you’re not afraid to take initiative and are actively considering what your future with the organization would look like.

Interviews often focus on your qualifications, but they don’t always delve deeply into the day-to-day expectations of the role. By asking specific questions about the responsibilities and goals of the position, you can gain a clearer picture of what will be expected of you.

Understanding the company’s culture in terms of their approach to work-life balance, collaboration, and employee development will help you assess whether you’d be happy and productive in that environment.

Questions to ask an interviewer about professional development opportunities, promotions, and future goals will help you determine if the company is invested in the growth of its employees. This can also give you a sense of whether the role offers a clear path to advancement.

Good interview questions to ask the employer

Here’s the list of questions to ask the interviewer with brief explanations of why each one matters. These clarifications can help you prioritize which questions to ask in an interview based on what’s most important to you.

Company culture

What values are most important to your organization?
Understanding core values helps assess if the company’s principles align with your personal beliefs.
Can you describe the company culture?
Learning about the culture provides insight into the work environment and if it's a good fit for you.
How does the company support diversity, equity, and inclusion?
This shows if the organization values creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
What does work-life balance look like here?
Helps gauge whether the company prioritizes employees’ well-being or expects excessive overtime.
How does the company celebrate employee achievements or milestones?
Reveals how employee contributions are valued and rewarded.

Team dynamics

Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
Understanding the team dynamics can help you visualize your potential day-to-day experience.
How do team members typically collaborate—both in-office and remotely?
Helps determine the communication and collaboration style you’ll need to adapt to.
What is the team’s biggest current challenge?
Identifies potential obstacles and helps you assess if you can contribute solutions.
How would you describe the management style of the person I would be reporting to?
Knowing the management style helps you determine if you’ll work well with your supervisor.
Can you share an example of a recent successful project the team worked on?
This gives insight into the kind of work you might be doing and what success looks like for the team.

Job expectations & responsibilities

What are the immediate priorities or objectives for this role in the first 6 months?
Understanding expectations helps you hit the ground running and prioritize your efforts.
Can you describe a typical day or week in this position?
Gives you a clear picture of the daily tasks and rhythm of the role, helping you evaluate fit.
What are the most important skills needed to succeed in this role?
Allows you to align your skills and identify areas where you may need additional development.
How will my performance be evaluated, and how often?
Clarifies how success is measured and what benchmarks you’ll need to meet.
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of this job?
Identifies potential difficulties so you’re prepared and can evaluate if you’re up for the challenge.

Career growth & development

What are the opportunities for professional development?
This shows the company’s investment in employee growth and learning.
Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?
Reveals whether the company promotes from within and offers long-term career paths.
Does the company provide any training or educational resources?
Understanding the training options shows how the organization supports skill development.
Can you share an example of someone who advanced their career within the organization?
This provides a real-life example of potential career progression at the company.
How do you support employees looking to explore different roles or departments within the company?
Shows whether the company is flexible in allowing employees to move laterally or grow in new areas.

Company performance & strategy

What are the company’s biggest goals for the next few years?
Learning about future goals shows the company’s direction and stability.
How has the company adapted to changes in the industry recently?
This reveals how adaptable and forward-thinking the company is in a changing environment.
Can you tell me more about the organization’s long-term growth strategy?
Helps you assess whether the company is on a positive trajectory and worth investing in.
What are some of the company’s biggest competitors and what sets your company apart from them?
This shows how well the organization positions itself in the market and what gives it a competitive edge.
How has the company responded to economic challenges, such as the recent global pandemic?
Helps you assess the resilience and ability to navigate crises.

Compensation & benefits

Can you provide more details about the salary range for this position?
Ensures the compensation aligns with your expectations and industry standards.
What benefits does the company offer beyond standard health insurance and retirement plans?
Provides a fuller picture of the total compensation package and perks beyond salary.
Does the organization offer any performance-based bonuses or incentives?
Helps you understand if there are opportunities to earn extra compensation for high performance.
Can you tell me more about the vacation or PTO policy?
Clarifies how much time off you’ll get and the company’s approach to work-life balance.
Is there flexibility in the work schedule, such as the option to work remotely or to have flexible hours?
Helps determine if the job can accommodate your personal needs for flexibility.

Work environment

What tools and technologies does the team use?
Ensures you’re familiar with the technology stack and tools needed for the job.
How does the company support remote work, if applicable?
If you’re interested in remote work, this helps gauge how well the company handles it.
What is the work environment like during the busiest times of the year?
Helps you anticipate the workload and stress levels during peak periods.
How does the company foster collaboration between teams or departments?
Understanding interdepartmental collaboration gives insight into the teamwork dynamics.
How does the organization handle conflicts or challenges among employees?
This reveals the company’s approach to conflict resolution and employee well-being.

Leadership & decision making

How does the leadership team communicate with employees?
Helps determine how transparent and accessible leadership is.
What is the decision-making process like within the company?
Shows whether decisions are made collaboratively, top-down, or somewhere in between.
Can you tell me more about the leadership’s vision for the future of the company?
Understanding leadership’s vision helps you assess if it aligns with your own career goals.
How does leadership approach innovation and change?
Gives insight into whether the company is open to new ideas and adaptable to change.
What qualities do you think are most important in a good leader here?
Shows what leadership traits are valued, which can help you understand the company’s culture.

Company stability & reputation

How has the company grown or changed in the past few years?
Assesses the organization’s recent history and growth trajectory.
Can you tell me about the company’s reputation within the industry?
Helps you evaluate the their standing and credibility in its field.
What do you see as the biggest risk for the company right now?
Gives insight into potential vulnerabilities that could impact job stability.
How has the company maintained financial stability?
Understanding financial health is important to assess job security and organization's longevity.
What do employees say they like most about working here?
Offers a peek into employee satisfaction and company strengths from an internal perspective.

Onboarding & training

What does the onboarding process look like for new employees?
Helps you know what to expect when starting and how well the company supports new hires.
Is there formal training provided for this role?
Clarifies the level of support and resources provided to help you succeed in the role.
How long does it typically take for new hires to get fully up to speed?
Provides a realistic view of the learning curve for new employees.
Will there be a mentor or support system in place during the onboarding period?
Ensures you have the guidance you need when starting out in the role.
How do you ensure that new employees feel integrated into the company culture?
Shows their effort in helping new hires feel part of the team and culture.

Questions to ask after an interview

Below are examples of good questions to ask at the end of an interview.

Is there anything else you think I should know about working here?
This open-ended question allows the interviewer to share anything important you might have missed.
What are the next steps in the hiring process?
Clarifies the timeline and process going forward, so you know what to expect.
Is there anything about my background or resume that concerns you in relation to this role?
Gives you a chance to address any potential issues or concerns before leaving the interview.
Do you have any concerns about my fit for the position that I could address?
This provides an opportunity to clarify any misunderstandings and alleviate doubts.
Can you tell me more about what you love most about working here?
Offers a personal perspective on the company’s strengths and can reinforce positive aspects of the job.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Here are mistakes candidates often make:

  • Avoid questions with easily found answers, like “What does your company do?” It shows lack of preparation.
  • Don’t ask about pay or benefits too soon—it can seem like you're more interested in perks than the role itself.
  • Refrain from questions that imply problems, like “Why is this position still open?”.
  • Limit inquiries about vacation or flexible hours until later in the process.
  • Stay away from overly critical queries, like “Why hasn’t your company innovated?”.
  • Always ask at least one question to show interest and engagement in the role.

Conclusion on questions to ask your interviewer

Having thoughtful questions to ask during an interview not only shows your interest in the company but also helps you determine if it’s the right fit for you.

Remember, an interview is as much about you evaluating the company as it is about them evaluating you. By asking these key questions, you’ll gain valuable insights that can help you make an informed decision about your future employer.