When the interviewer asks you questions about the future, you should provide answers that

1. Interviewing
2. 18 Great Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published 8 November 2021

An interview is for a potential employer to assess if you'd be right for the job, but it is also an opportunity for you to see if you are a good fit for the company. At the end of an interview, the hiring manager may ask whether you have any questions. Asking the right questions gives you insight into the company you are applying to work for and shows you are enthusiastic about the role. In this article, we explore 18 great questions to ask at the end of an interview.

Related: Video Interview Guide: Tips for a Successful Interview

18 questions to ask at the end of a job interview

There are three main aspects that you can draw questions from at the end of an interview. These include general questions about the company, questions that specifically relate to the role you are interviewing for and wrap-up questions that bring the meeting to a productive close.

The following sections provide examples of questions you can ask with an explanation of why they are helpful:

Questions related to the company

These are questions that give you an insight into the company you're applying to work for. If you use these questions wisely, you can pick up on the culture, values and vision of the organisation. Here are some exemplary questions:

1. How would you describe the culture of the company?

This question gives you an insight into the atmosphere you may work within. The answer can determine how the company treats its employees and outlines its values. It also indicates that you value finding a working environment that is a good fit for you and your skill set.

2. What do you love most about working here?

Asking for the interviewer's personal experience creates a connection between the two of you. More importantly, you can gain an inside perspective on the unofficial perks of working for the business. Asking this conveys that you value working at a job you love.

3. What changes do you see this company going through over the next five years?

An interest in the company's future shows that you are actively checking if your professional growth aligns with the business' development plans. Asking this question also implies you are planning to stay long-term. It also highlights your mindset of planning and strategic thinking.

4. For an employee to be successful in this company, what attributes and qualities would be good for them to have?

Asking this question shows the interviewer that you are ready to adapt and apply yourself to the position's needs. It displays a willingness to use your skills for the success of the company. The enquiry may also reveal if the business has realistic expectations of its employees.

Related: 9 Character Traits That Attract Employers

5. Who is the company's top competitor, and what makes them so?

If you have done your research, you probably already have a good idea of the answer to this question. The interviewer can give insights that might reveal more useful information about the company you hope to enter. Asking about the company's top competitor shows tactical foresight and highlights its objectives.

6. What makes this company better than the competition?

This question tells the interviewer that you are thinking about how to help the company meet its goals and grow. A keen interest in market trends highlights your broad-minded approach to the job. Their answer reveals the company's unique strengths.

7. What opportunities are currently open to the company?

Asking this shows that you are looking for opportunities to benefit the company. It conveys your interest in what the company's plans are for the future. This type of question suggests you have a strong work ethic.

8. What are the company's biggest challenges right now?

Finding out about the challenges that the company is facing helps you pick up on current business trends. This question exposes areas of concern in the industry. It also shows you where your skills could be of benefit if you were to get the job.

Job-related questions

These are questions that apply specifically to the position you are discussing. Some research before the meeting highlights questions that directly apply to the business. These are some of the questions you can ask relating to the job you're applying for:

1. Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

When you ask this question, keep in mind what the description of duties on the job advert stated. Tailor your question to address specific responsibilities you are unsure of. You can even refer to the responsibility section on the advertisement, which lets the interviewer know that you are enthusiastic about the role.

2. Who would I be reporting to?

Some positions report to one manager only. Other jobs require the employee to work for a management team. It is good to know which option applies to the role to have an idea of what to expect.

3. Is there an opportunity for me to meet my manager during the interview process?

Your potential manager may lead the interview, meaning this question is not applicable. If your manager is not present, consider showing your enthusiasm to make connections in the company. You may deliver this enquiry at the end of a second interview.

4. How would I collaborate with my manager?

The hiring manager's answer may reveal how closely you might work with the manager. It could also help you gauge the level of training you could receive from them. Asking about your potential manager with enthusiasm suggests you are open to contributing and are reliable.

5. What is the most challenging part of this job?

This answer can help you prepare for challenging aspects of the role in advance. Delivering this question implies your eagerness to embrace challenges and develop in the role. It also showcases your willingness to learn.

6. What skills or character traits would the ideal candidate for this role have?

This query helps you weigh whether your background, personality and skills align with the company's needs. You may experience greater job satisfaction if the job requirements match what you have to offer. The interviewer's answers may invite a positive conversation about your strengths and how they fit with the role.

Related: List of Weaknesses: 8 Things to Say in an Interview

7. Is this position new? If not, what made the previous employee leave this role?

This might seem like a forward question, but the answer could benefit your understanding of the position. If the person left due to a promotion, it tells you that there is room for growth and upward movement from the position. Alternatively, the position may be entirely new for the company, meaning you might have more freedom to adapt it to your working style. It may also highlight areas the company wants to improve.

8. How do you see the person in this role contributing to the company goals?

The hiring manager's answer may help you understand the short-term and long-term goals connected to the role. It can also determine how the manager measures success. For example, an interviewer may reveal the company's plan to achieve higher annual revenue. Therefore, your position may focus on maximising sales.

Wrap-up questions

As the interview closes, you can ask final questions about the recruitment process' next stage. Try to be mindful of the interviewers' time and ask brief or easy to answer questions. Here are two examples:

1. What are the next steps and is there a timeline?

Asking this question gives you a reliable timeline of the following steps. You may adapt this question to address when you can expect to hear from the interviewer. Also, factor in arrangements to relocate, figure out your daily commute or adjust to the new schedule.

2. What is your starting salary?

You might ask this question if the job description did not provide a salary bracket. The answer may be beneficial if income is an influential factor behind whether you accept a role or if you want to compare it to others you are interviewing for. The hiring manager may also disclose the possibility of commission or bonuses following credible work.

Tips for asking questions at the end of interviews

Aim to arrive at the interview with your questions prepared to show that you took time to research the company and the position you're applying for. Here are some tips to help you decide which questions to ask:

• Ask questions that encourage descriptive answers beyond 'yes' and 'no'.

• Ask questions that specifically address a particular element of the company.

• Aim for three questions, but come with a list of ten to choose from.

• It's better to ask your questions while you're still seated in the interview rather than when you're walking out.

• Wait until you're in the negotiation stages of the hiring process to ask a human resources (HR) representative about salary and benefits.