Creating a List of Questions for the Interview Panel

I've interviewed thousands of candidates in my professional career and one of the biggest missed opportunities for candidates is asking the interviewer thoughtful questions. Asking questions not only exhibits your interest in the role and your level of curiosity, but it gives the interviewer a sense for how you think. It's an opportunity to stand out against other candidates. In my experience, the best questions are the ones that show the candidate is truly assessing what it's like to work there and whether the company/role is the right fit for them, vs. just trying to land the job. No matter how many interviews you've had as a candidate, it's critical to come prepared to every interview with at least 2-3 thoughtful questions that ideally are specific to that interviewer. Some generic questions that most candidates ask: ❌ What is the culture like? ❌ What is work/life balance like? ❌ What do you like about working there? These questions are better than no questions at all, but you can generally get the answers to these questions from reading Glassdoor reviews, and they aren't a great use of the time you have with the interviewer. Instead, ask more detailed questions, like: ✅ What are some of the most interesting challenges the team has worked through recently? How did you collaborate with other teams to get the best outcomes? ✅ What does success in this role look like 6 months, a year, 3 years from now? ✅ I understand the company's values are X, Y, and Z. Can you share with me how those values have showed up in decision making recently? ✅ What has caused previous people in this role to be successful or unsuccessful in the role? What advice would you give a new hire to set themself up for success in this role? These are just a few examples, but what's really important is putting thought into the questions and showing your interest and curiosity. What are some of your favorite questions to ask interviewers?

This is the one thing interviewees often miss the mark on during interviews: (based on my years of experience interviewing and hiring at major tech companies and now my own company!) They don’t ask the right questions at the end! The questions you ask can be one of the biggest differentiators between you and another candidate. Here are 7 questions that I’ve found to be particularly effective: ✅ “Can you describe a typical day in this role?” → Gives you a sense of the role’s variety ✅ “How is success measured for this position?” → This shows you’re already putting yourself in the shoes of this role — and wanting to do well. ✅ “Can you share a time where your teammate gave you feedback and how you implemented it?” → Having your hiring manager be open to feedback is MAJOR! ✅ “What does a typical career progression look like in this role?” → This allows you to see how thought our career ladders are and how you might grow there. ✅ “How does this role contribute to the company’s overall goals?” → Always be thinking about company goals. It shows you’re strategic. ✅ “What are the biggest challenges facing the team/department right now?” → You can use this information for future interview projects and prepare ahead of starting, too. ✅ “What opportunities for professional development does the company offer?” → Shows your dedication to self-improvement. Remember, interviews are a two-way street. The questions you ask can reveal as much about you as your answers do. So, prepare thoughtfully and use this opportunity to assess if the role is the right fit for you. 💬 What are some questions you’ve used during interviews? Share them in the comments!

I got hired in 5 weeks. Here are the 7 interview questions that helped me stand out... (and why they work) 👉 Note: DON'T save these questions until the end. You should sprinkle them throughout your interview. Here's why: 1️⃣ "What is the biggest problem you're trying to solve with this hire?" 💡 I always start with this one. This tells me what to focus on with the rest of my answers. 2️⃣ "This role seems to involve X and Y skill. How would you say these are split? 50/50? 70/30?" 💡 Again, this will help you figure out which skills to focus more on. 3️⃣ "Who else is on the team? What would you say they're looking for help with the most from the person taking on this role?" 💡 Every person has a different agenda. Find out what each is (especially helpful for passing the Team Interview stage). 4️⃣ "What is your management style?" 💡 Studies have shown when people talk about themselves, they have a positive impression of the person they're talking to. Get them talking. 5️⃣ "What's your favorite thing about the team?" 💡 This helps drive the conversation in a positive direction. I like to use this one at the end to leave on a positive note. 6️⃣ "What learning & development opportunities are there?" 💡 This alleviates two of their big concerns: ↳ Is this person adaptable? ↳ Will this person leave after a year? 7️⃣ "Is there anything I didn’t cover in our conversation today that you would have liked me to touch on?" 💡 I always end on this one. It allows you to cover any blind spots that may have occurred during the interview. 👉 Studies show that the questions YOU ASK have a bigger influence on hiring decisions than the questions you answer. Sprinkle these 7 questions throughout your next interview and you'll see your next offer is much closer than you think! 👉 P.S. Do you have any favorite questions? Any that I missed? _

🚨 Do NOT accept a job until you have asked these questions! 🚨 In my job search and interview prep, I’ve compiled a list of insightful questions that have helped me dig deeper into company culture, management styles, and expectations. These questions are key in determining if a company is the right fit for me — and if you’re job hunting, they should be essential in your process too. Here’s my go-to list of questions to ask before accepting a role: 1️⃣ Can you tell me a story that illustrates how you like to manage members of your team? 2️⃣ Can you give me an example in the past 6 months of a conflict in your team and how you dealt with it? 3️⃣ What are the top 3 personality attributes required to thrive and do well here? 4️⃣ I understand that (insert company value) is really important here. Can you give me an example of how that shows up on a day-to-day basis? 5️⃣ How will my performance be evaluated and what systems are in place to help me meet those expectations? 6️⃣ What are the professional development opportunities available in this role and department? 7️⃣ How can I be guaranteed to be involved in projects critical to the strategic future of the organization? 8️⃣ What does it take to be successful here? These questions can help you assess the company culture, management approach, and long-term growth opportunities — ensuring you're not just accepting any job, but the right job. 💬 What other questions do you ask in your interviews to ensure you’re making the right decision? Drop them in the comments below! #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #InterviewTips #TalentAcquisition #JobHunt #CareerAdvice

I've interviewed 100s of people for 6-figure roles. (Here's what nobody tells you...) It's not the most qualified candidate who gets the job. It's the best prepared for the interview. How to prep like the top 1%: 1. Research the company like you already work there. ↳ Know their challenges, victories, and latest news. 2. Practice your answers out loud. ↳ What sounds good in your head may not when spoken. 3. Prepare 3 specific stories that showcase your skills. ↳ Focus on your adaptability and leadership. 4. Study the job description. Find the top 3 skills they want. ↳ Then craft examples proving you have them. 5. Do a mock interview with a trusted person. ↳ Someone who will give you honest feedback. 💡 And 7 questions to ask that make YOU stand out: 99% of candidates ask basic questions at the end. Don't waste this opportunity to impress! Ask these instead: ➟ What does success look like in the first 90 days? ➟ What are the biggest challenges facing the team that I could help solve? ➟ How would you describe the management style of the person I'd be reporting to? ➟ What distinguishes your top performers from everyone else? ➟ How does the company support professional development and growth? ➟ What made YOU decide to join this company, and what keeps you here? ➟ What do new employees find surprising after they start? The best candidates don't just answer questions. They create meaningful conversations. Remember: Interviews are a two-way street. You're evaluating them just as much as they are you. You spend 90,000 hours of your life at work. Choose a company and manager that support your growth. Your career will thank you. P.S. What's your best tip for nailing your interview? Share in the comments to help others prepare. ♻️ Valuable? Repost to share with your network. 🔖 Follow Justin Wright for more on career success. Want my 80 best cheat sheets? Get them here for free: BrillianceBrief.com