Congratulations, you’ve landed the interview! Now you are in the ever-so-stressful preparation phase. Of course it’s extremely important to show up with your resume, to be well-versed in your field, and have a great attitude, but it is also very important bring some inquisitive and thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewer as well. By doing so, you will not only gain valuable answers, but you will also end up distinguishing yourself from the competition as well.
Of course, there is a time and a place to ask your interviewer questions. Remember, you are being interviewed, so make sure that you do not end up dominating the conversation. Usually you will be asked if you have any questions towards the end of your interview, so use this time to ask the questions that have not already been answered.
Here are 10 of the best questions to ask your interviewer:
What are your expectations of this hire?
How do you see the department growing and evolving in the next 1,3,5 years?
What are some of the challenges that I would experience in transitioning into this role?
What duties would I be performing in the first 3-6 months?
Is there room for growth or career development in this position?
Can you tell me about the team dynamics in this department?
What are the day-to-day responsibilities?
What percentage of my job will be spent doing ____ versus ____? (for example marketing versus underwriting)
Who does this position report to and what is the department’s reporting structure?
Why is this position open?
Now you are probably thinking, how will I ever remember all of these questions on top of everything else? If you prefer to bring a notebook to your interview to take notes, you can always write these down before the interview and fill in your answers as you ask. Most hiring managers will not find this strange, if anything, it will give you some organizational points!
