“Do you have any questions?” This part of the interview can feel awkward, but it’s actually a great chance to learn more about the job and show you're really interested.
An interview isn’t just the company asking you questions — it’s a two-way conversation. It’s your chance to ask about the role, the team, and what your future might look like if you join. In other words, it’s how you find out if the job is really right for you.
And that matters — a lot. Recent studies found that 46% of young professionals leave their first job within a year. Most of them choose to leave because they find a better opportunity or realize the job wasn’t what they expected. So, asking the right questions isn’t just polite — it can help you avoid a bad fit.
Best Questions to Ask
Interviews are not just about answering questions — they’re about asking them too. The right questions help you better understand the role, the company, and whether the opportunity aligns with your goals and values. Here's a quick overview of the best questions to ask, grouped by topic:
| Category | Question |
|---|---|
| The Job Itself | What qualities do you think are important for someone doing this job? |
| Are there any skills missing in your current team that you'd like to add? | |
| What’s the biggest challenge someone in this role would face? | |
| If there’s a budget involved, do you know how much I’d be responsible for? | |
| Is this a brand new position? | |
| Skill-Building & Growth | Will there be any training when I start? |
| Are there opportunities to grow in this role or take on more responsibility later? | |
| About the Company | I’ve read a bit about how the company was founded, but could you tell me more about it? |
| What are the company’s main goals right now? How does my team help achieve them? | |
| The Team | Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with? What’s the vibe like? |
| Who would be my manager, and what do they do day-to-day? | |
| Company Culture | What’s the overall work environment like? Is it more team-based or independent? |
| Do you have any team events or activities during the year? | |
| Performance & Expectations | What would you like the person in this role to achieve in the first 30, 60, and 90 days? |
| What are the main goals for the first six months? | |
| How do you review performance? | |
| What will you be looking at to measure how well I’m doing? | |
| What Happens Next | What are the next steps in the hiring process? |
| Is there anything about my background or experience you’d like me to explain or add to? |
Ask about the job itself
Start by making sure you understand what the job involves and what your daily tasks would be — both at the beginning and later on.
Here are some good questions to ask:
- What qualities do you think are important for someone doing this job?
- Are there any skills missing in your current team that you'd like to add?
- What’s the biggest challenge someone in this role would face?
- If there’s a budget involved, do you know how much I’d be responsible for?
- Is this a brand new position?
Ask about skill-building and growth
Every job is a step in your career, so it's smart to ask how the company supports learning and growth.
Try questions like:
- Will there be any training when I start?
- Are there opportunities to grow in this role or take on more responsibility later? (This one’s more relevant for a full-time job, not an internship.)
Ask about the company
You won’t just be working for one manager or team — you’ll be part of the whole company. So it’s good to understand what the company is all about.
You could ask:
- I’ve read a bit about how the company was founded, but could you tell me more about it? (Only ask this if the info isn’t easy to find online.)
- What are the company’s main goals right now? How does my team help achieve them?
Ask about the team
The people you work with make a big difference in your day-to-day experience. Try to picture what it would be like to join the team.
Helpful questions might be:
- Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with? What’s the vibe like?
- Who would be my manager, and what do they do day-to-day?
Ask about the company culture
Is the office more formal or relaxed? Do people work mostly alone or together? These things matter a lot when it comes to feeling comfortable and fitting in.
Some good things to ask:
- What’s the overall work environment like? Is it more team-based or independent?
- Do you have any team events or activities during the year?
Ask about performance and expectations
No matter the job, it’s important to know what’s expected and how your work will be measured. Talking about this early helps you start off on the right foot.
Some useful questions:
- What would you like the person in this role to achieve in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- What are the main goals for the first six months?
- How do you review performance?
- What will you be looking at to measure how well I’m doing?
Ask what happens next
Before the interview ends, make sure you understand the next steps. That way, you won’t be left wondering when you’ll hear back or what to expect.
Try asking:
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
- Is there anything about my background or experience you’d like me to explain or add to?
Questions to Avoid
While it’s important to ask questions, avoid things that might seem too personal, self-centered, or easily searchable. For example:
- How much vacation time do I get? (Wait until later in the process.)
- What does the company do exactly? (Do your research first.)
- How soon can I get promoted? (Focus on learning and contribution first.)
Conclusion
Asking smart questions in an interview isn’t just about impressing the recruiter, it’s about making sure the job is the right fit for you. The right questions can help you understand the role, the team, the culture, and what success looks like. They show that you’ve done your homework, that you’re thoughtful, and that you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity.
So before your next interview, take a few of these questions with you. Choose the ones that matter most to you and adapt them to the role you’re applying for. A good interview goes both ways — and when you ask the right questions, you’re one step closer to finding a job you’ll love.
