What Questions Should You Ask in an Interview & What to Avoid

One of the best feelings in the world is applying for your dream job and being called for an interview.

The jitters, the excitement, followed by the stress—an interview is an interaction that is looked forward to the most.

Worrying about the questions the interviewer would ask is natural.

But have you thought about what you would say if they ask, "So, do you have any questions for me?"

Some would choose to answer that with a simple “No.”

Some would think that it’s safer that way.

But in reality, it isn’t.

If you don’t ask questions during or after the interview, and you really want that job, you’re taking a huge risk.

What you’re missing out on, is one of the most important opportunities to leave a mark during the interview.

Asking questions during an interview is almost as important as answering the interviewers' questions.

Why?

✅ It shows you are interested and invested in the company and the job or position.

✅ Your questions reflect your research about the job and the company.

✅ It shows you are willing to learn more and understand the company culture.

Interviews are a mutual discussion of your future with the company and the company's future with you.

It also partially depends on you whether you get the job or not.

Asking questions to employers will definitely enhance your chances of getting selected.

But do you know what to ask? And also, what NOT to ask?

In this blog, I'll give you a list of questions that you should ask your interviewer and what you should avoid.

So, the next time you're in this situation these are the good questions to ask in an interview.

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Tips for asking questions in an interview

Here are some basic things for you to keep in mind.

Our top HR and behavioural mentors totally recommend you to read these basics before you go for any interview.

🎯Ask one question at a time

Asking long questions divided into subparts would only confuse the employer.

Try to ask clear and short questions that will resolve your doubts.

🎯Show interest in the role

This is your opportunity to showcase how you will benefit the team and the company.

Be curious about what you can bring to the table and how.

Let the interviewers know that you are actually interested to learn more about the position and the organisation.

🎯Explore various different topics

Move across the spectrum of office life, a typical work day, the company’s processes, and team structure, work styles of your potential teammates and managers, feedback cycles, etc.

🎯Ask questions that demand comprehensive answers

Mostly, basic questions with a "yes" or "no" or a one-word answer can be answered by looking at the company website.

Choose questions that will create a meaningful conversation between you and the interviewer.

🎯Be patient

Questions like "did I get the job?" or "when will I hear back from you?" makes you look impatient.

They would probably tell you this information towards the end themselves.

Be curious about the selection process instead of putting the employers on the spot.

Questions to ask in an interview: The specifics

Once you know what your strategy for asking questions is, you should know some common questions you surely SHOULD ask during your interview.  

These questions may leave a remarkable impression and show how eager you are about the position.

Have your questions ready so that you can start with yours as soon as the interviewer asks if you have any questions.

This will show that you have done your research and are confident.

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✔️Responsibilities of the position

It is not always necessary for the job description to provide the minute duties of your role.

Hence, asking what your responsibilities will be would give you a better understanding of your role.

It will further provide a chance for dialogue between you and the employer.

✔️The company and its culture

This type of question takes the interview a step ahead.

The employer gets a chance to explain how things work in the organisation, company values and vision.

You get to see a bigger picture of the company.

You can ask about the departments, company policies, opportunities for learning and upskilling, etc.

✔️Expectations from you as a new joinee

As a new team member, there must be some expectations that the employers would have from you apart from your qualifications and experience.

A question regarding this would be "what is expected of me as a new employee within the first two months?" or "how is my performance going to be evaluated?"

Knowing what the organisation expects from you for the first few months would make things easier for you.

✔️Teammates and people you’ll be collaborating with

It is essential for you to have a good understanding of what each person does in your team.

Write down their names and the role they play in this team.

This will certainly come in handy during the first few days of your job.

You may also ask about the managers and senior managers you will be reporting to and seeking guidance from.

This puts forward your expectations in a subtle manner as well.

✔️Next steps in the hiring process

Asking about the next steps in the hiring process will help you brace for the next rounds.

So, if there are any more technical rounds coming up, you can prepare better and make sure to crack those.

✔️What else should you know

Another great question to ask towards the end of the interview is if there is anything else for you to know.

It can be about the company, role, or other things.

Is there anything that you should have asked that you haven't yet?

Always ask if they have any more questions from you as well.

This will show your willingness to open up.

Some commonly asked questions

There are a few other questions to ask the interviewer at the end. These would give a better impression of your interest in the position:

👉 Is there anything you would like from my end to help you make your decision?

👉 In your opinion, what does an ideal candidate for this job position look like?

👉 Is there any clarification you might need about my qualification or experience?

👉 What is your favourite thing about working with this company or this team?

👉 How soon would you like me to start if I get the job?

👉 What does the career path look like for this position?

👉 Is there anything else you wanted to know about me?

👉 Is there anything about my candidature or profile that might keep me from getting shortlisted for the next rounds?

Usually, you would not have much time to ask all of the questions in the small duration you would get, and asking too many questions might overwhelm the interviewer.

Hence, you must prioritise and have your set of questions ready beforehand.

Also, focus on your tone and choice of words. Be polite and amicable.

It’s easy to get misunderstood, especially during online interviews.

So, make sure you are being absolutely clear throughout the conversation.

These were the things you should definitely do. ✔️

Now, let’s look at some of the mistakes candidates often make during an interview.

Never ask these questions during an interview

There are many questions you can ask the employer, but you should avoid questions that might leave a negative impression.

There will be another round to ask questions about the salary package, vacation time, health insurance, and employee delight.

These questions can be asked once you have been shortlisted for the last round is usually the salary negotiation round.

Following are some of the things you should NOT ask during the interview. 

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❌"What does the company do?"

If you ask this question, it means you have not done any research on the organisation or the position before or after applying.

It would imply you are not interested in the job enough, and you would lose all that you have gained throughout the interview.

Go through the website at least once before the interview.

❌"What are the employee benefits, paid leave or increment policy?"

You are showcasing your skills and how you would benefit the company.

The company benefits and salary should be asked once you have secured the position, not during the interview.

❌"Will there be flexible work hours?"

Another question you should ask once you have secured the position.

Even if you are expecting a flexible work schedule, asking this question during an interview would imply you don't prioritise your work life enough.

❌"Have I cleared this interview or did I get the job?"

The employers will let you know if you got the job or when you will hear back from them towards the end of the interview.

Do ask for feedback, but wait till after the interview process is complete.

Do not imply you are too impatient to wait for their call.

❌Any personal questions

Never ask any personal questions to your interviewers.

It shows unprofessionalism and disrespecting someone's boundaries.

Know what you shouldn't be asked during an interview

Many candidates do not realise this.

But this is a very important aspect for an interviewee to know.

There are specific questions that no interviewer should ask you.

These questions are known as 'illegal questions'.

Questions about your race, age, gender, marital status, etc., are off-limits and should not be asked during an interview.

Employers should not be asking personal questions, just like you shouldn't ask the interviewers any personal questions.

If they do, you can politely deny answering those questions by saying:

"I don't think this will be an issue for my job performance."

"This question does not affect my performance."

"I am confident I will be able to perform my responsibilities for the position."

"This would not be an issue for my ability to fulfil my responsibilities."

Summing Up

Being nervous before an interview is normal.

Channel that nervousness into preparation and confidence.

It is essential to show how suitable you are for the job position you applied for.

The best way to do that is to use the opportunity of asking questions and having relevant questions to ask the interviewer at the end.

Do not let your nervousness hold you back from asking the questions that you might have in your mind.

Use this chance to show how invested you are in the organisation and the job role.

How 1:1 interview preparation can help you?

Asking the right questions at the right time comes with a lot of practice.

Practically, you would not get much time to ask all of the questions we have discussed.

So, it requires you to prioritise and prepare your questions while you prepare for the interview.

Giving one on one mock interviews can give you a better grip over this critical aspect of your interview.

Having a mentor in your preparation journey can also give you feedback over your questions.  

That's why Preplaced has built a community where you can:

• choose your mentors,
• practise your interviews,
• and, become more confident with abundant guidance.

So, never say no when the interviewer asks, "do you have any questions for me?"

Because that is your time to shine! 💫

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Also read: 

Is It Worth Having a Career Mentor: 5 Things You Must Know

Top 5 Websites for Mock Interview Practice - Detailed Analysis