Interview questions to ask a potential employer

Interviews are a two-way street. Your potential employer is asking you questions to learn about you and your skills. In return, you need to prepare questions to ask your potential employer about the position, your boss and the company in order to be sure that this is the right job for you. Here are 8 open-ended interview questions to consider when you are in front of your potential employer.

Top 8 interview questions to consider

1. Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

This is your chance to learn as much as possible about the role so you can decide whether this is a job you really want. By learning more about the day-to-day tasks, you will also gain more insight into what specific skills and strengths are needed and you can address any topics that haven’t already been covered.

2. What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it?

It’s crucial to have a deep understanding of how a company measures success. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the role? How, and how often, are they measured?

3. What do you see as the most challenging aspect of this job?

Knowing the good is just as important as knowing the not-so-good. You want to understand the scale of the problems you’ll be dealing with.

4. What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?

This question can often lead to valuable information that’s not in the job description. It can help you learn about the company culture and expectations so you can show that you are a good fit.

5. Describe the culture of the company.

Are you a good fit for this organization? Make sure you are comfortable with the culture and the dynamic of the company.

6. Are there opportunities for professional development? If so, what do those look like?

When asking this question, you’re looking to key into whether there are opportunities for growth and whether the company has a Learning & Development program. Stagnation is a big red flag, so be alert!

7. Who do you consider your top competitor, and why?

You should already have an idea of the company’s major competitors, but it can be useful to ask your interviewer for their thoughts. Naturally, they will be able to give you insight you can’t find anywhere else.

8. What are the next steps in the interview process?

This question shows that you are eager to move forward in the process. It will also help you gain important information about the timeline for hiring so that you can follow up appropriately.

Interview questions not to ask too soon

Don’t ask about salary or benefits just yet. Wait until you are in the final steps of the interview process to negotiate with the hiring manager or an HR representative. Good luck!