The key to a successful interview is doing proper preparation. The preparation you would have to make doesn’t just have to deal with performing well, but also interview questions to ask your employer so that you can have an idea if the job is right for you.

What does this mean: It is important that you have interview questions to ask also – questions about the position, the company, the department and team you would work with etc.

To help you with this task, we have curated a list of 50 top interview questions that you can go to your interview armed with. When the interview starts, do not barrage your interviewer with all the questions at one – because some of these questions might be brought up during the course of discussion.

At the end of most interview sessions you would most likely be asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” Check out the list of interview questions

Interview Questions to Ask Concerning the Nature of the Job

What does a work’s day look like?

This would give you an idea of how a typical day would look like and if you would enjoy working here. From this question, you would be able to access the company culture. You wouldn’t want to work in a place where you are frustrated and unhappy most of the time.

What are the most pressing projects at hand now?

It would do you a whole lot of if you know if there are any immediate projects that need to be addressed. Why do you need to do this? You can prepare yourself mentally for the tasks before the job. Sometimes, you might need to brush up on some skills so that you can be very effective.

Can I see some examples of projects I would be working with?

These examples would serve as a guideline on what the job would require of you. Knowing the demands of the job, would give you an edge over your colleagues and help you to resume better prepared.

What skills and experience should an ideal candidate have?

There are two possible outcomes from any job interview, you either get the job or you don’t. These questions helps you to access your chances after the interview. It also gives you a chance to work on developing your skills and experience so that your chances of getting a job is optimized.

For someone to become successful in this job or position, what characteristics should they possess? Are they skills that your team is missing that you are looking for in a new hire?

These question gives you a chance to show your soon to be employer how important an asset you can be to his team. It might increase your chances of getting a job.

What are the challenges that would come with the job?

You would want to know the challenges you are likely to face in the position you might be working in. This would help you get mentally prepared for the job.

What budget would I be given to work with? Is this role a new one in this company?

This would allow you know if there is a precedence that has been set before you or if you are among a new branch being created in the company. If the role is old, you would have examples to guide you. If it is a new role, you would have to do more research so that you can give your best.

The responsibilities that I would be taking now, would I expect them to change within a period the next six month to a year?

You would want to know how dynamic your responsibilities would be. It is best to have this in your contract so that you won’t be taken advantage of. Some employers might want to add more work to your job description without an increase in pay.

Read More:

Interview Questions to Ask Concerning Training and Professional Development

How would I be trained?

Some companies offer trainings to to-be employees. Knowing this might help you ascertain how much the company value its workers and the steps you can take to improve your skills.

What are the training programs that would be available to employees?

The industry you work in would continue to develop and undergo changes. It would be a bad idea if you work in a company where conscious efforts are been made to ensure that their worker keep up with the advancement in the fields. A company that offers training programs is more likely to be competitive and have a better chance of having profits.

What opportunities would I get to advance professionally?

You might have just a bachelor’s degree and want to get your masters or doctorate, it would be good if you can know whether the company would give you the opportunity to improve yourself professionally even as you work with them. Some companies are generous enough to sponsor you for further degrees as long as you agree to work with them for a stipulated amount of time that would be stated in your contract/

Does the company send representatives to industry conferences and would I be able to attend?

If you are interested in attending industry conferences, you want to find out if the company attends at all and what your chances of been a representative are.

The last person that held this job, where is he moving to?

This question is very crucial. You need to know why they need a replacement for the previous person. Was the person promoted? Were they transferred or fired? If the individual was fired, you would want to know the mistakes the person made that caused their termination so that you can avoid making the same mistakes.

Where have successful employees that held the position I am about to take moved on to?

It would be nice to know what future waits you when you eventually do a successful job.

Read More:

Interview Questions to Ask About Your Performance

In the first month, second month and third month on the job, what are the important things you would like to see someone accomplish?

This would serve as a guide when setting mission goals. When you know what is expected of you, it becomes easier to perform optimally. Your productivity increases also because you already know what to do and what not to.

In the first year, what would my performance be graded on?

Like the previous question above, this would help you set long term mission goals. This would be bigger goals that would now be broken into smaller bits to be handled throughout the year.

How often would I have to undergo a formal performance review?

You do not want to be caught slacking on the job. Know when the company does their performance review would allow you to stay on top of things – always alert and prepared.

What are the metrics that my performance would be measured against?

You want to be a smart worker, not a hard worker. You can be doing a lot of things, being busy and still miss the mark. You need to know what the goals and metrics that your performance would be evaluated against so that you don’t miss the mark.

Interview Questions to Ask About the Interviewer

For how long have you been working in the company?

As the interviewer questions about themselves shows your interest in them and it’s a good way to build rapport. People are drawn closer to you when you show genuine interest in them plus it helps boost your chances of getting the job.

Since you’ve been working here has your role changed?

This would help you understand how long it might take you to get things like promotions and benefits. The more your role changes and you climb up in ranks, the sweeter the pay.

What did you do before you started working here?

Like I said earlier, showing genuine interest on help to improve your chance of getting the job.

Why did you come to work here?

This would give you an inclination towards the work culture and principle of the company. You shouldn’t work in an organization just because of money, but also because of the passion that they exhibit. A company that is passionate about their motto is more likely to treat employees better so that they can get the best out of them.

What do you enjoy most about working in this company

Read More:

Interview Questions to Ask About the Company

I read about the founding of this company, can you tell me more about… (Sensible question)?

Asking a question like this shows that you have done your research and differentiates you from the other job seekers. It shows that you pay attention to details and would go the extra mile to get the job done.

Where is the company projected to be at in the next couple of years?

This would allow you to know the company goals, the scale at which they want to grow and their plans for the future. This would allow you to understand how you would fit in the grand scheme and if there would still a position for you down the line.

What can you tell me about your growth plans and the products that you are developing

This would help you know what you are about to work with and if there is a need, improve your skills to meet the demands of the job.

What are the goals or product that the company is working on currently and how does the team I am about to be part of support the company in reaching those goals? What gets you most excited about the future of the company?

This would give you an insight about the company’s plans and how well you would fit into it.

Interview Questions to Ask About the Team

Can you tell me something about the team I would be working with?

This would give you an idea about the individuals in your team, their skill set, attributes and behaviours.

Who would I be working with closely in team?

Within teams, there could be partners. If you can get to know your partner on time, you can try to build a good working relationship with the individual.

Who would I be reporting to directly?

This could be your team leader, a general supervisor or company manager depending on the company structure.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the team? What challenges do they face?

Knowing this on time would give you an idea of the team dynamics and how you would fit into the team. Your goal would be to strengthen the team and make them more efficient.

Would you be hiring more people to the team or department within the next six months? Which departments work closely with my team? What are the most common career paths that people in this team usually take?

Interview Questions to Ask About the Company Culture

What’s the company and team culture like?

The company culture goes a long way to determine how happy you would be working there. Ask this so you would know if they fit your ideal of how a work place should feel like.

How is the work environment like? Would you describe it as mostly independent or does it entail collaborative efforts? What was the last team event that was organized for the employees by the company? What is the mission statement or company values?

Before you ask this question make sure that you can’t find it on the internet.

What office tradition is your favourite? What is lunch time around here like? How is the relationship of the employees outside the office – do they hang out? Do departments within the company joint events amongst themselves or with other companies? What would you say is the difference between here and the other places you have worked? Since you have joined the company, how much have they changed?

Interview Questions to Ask About the Next Steps to Take

Do you have any concerns about my background or my fitness for the role?

This questions helps you to clarify any misgivings that the interviewer might have had during the period of the interview.

What are the next steps I should take after this interview?

50 Are they any final questions that I could answer for you?

We come to end of this article. I hope it would be helpful to you when going for your next interview. Like I said at the beginning, preparation is the key to a successful interview. Now that you have an arsenal of questions to ask, you can go ahead and wow the interviewer.

Good luck and I hope you get the job of your dreams. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in comments and also share with your friends.

Follow Marvellous Aham-adi on Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/dikachi_