Key Questions to Ask Potential Employers

Every job interview has a Q&A. But 99% of job seekers skip it or don’t ask good questions. Here are 9 unique questions that will help you land more job offers: 1/ "Fast Forward One Year, You're Looking Back On This Hire. What Did They Do To Exceed Every Expectation?" This shows the interviewer that you're results-focused. You want to know exactly what success looks like so you can create a plan to make it happen. 2/ "What Is The Most Unexpected Thing You've Learned While Working Here?" Most interviewers aren't prepared for this and it encourages them to share unique experiences they've had. That combo leads to some really unique stories and insights about the team and the company. 3/ "Why Is This Role Open?" Is the company expanding to capitalize on a new market? Did the previous employee quit? Were they laid off? It's critical to understand why the company decided to open this role in the first place. 4/ "Who Would Not Be A Good Fit At This Company?" Many people are focused on finding a good fit. But flipping the script can give you a lot of insight too. This question pushes the interviewer to think of traits that wouldn't fit with their culture. 5/ "What Goals Has Your Manager Set For You Over The Next 6 Months? How Can This Hire Help You Achieve Them?" Everybody wants to look good in front of their manager. Showing that you understand this and that you'll prioritize it is a great way to make a strong impression. 6/ "How Many People In This Role Have Been Promoted To More Senior Internal Positions?" Growth trajectory is something that every candidate should factor into their decision. Do people in this role get promoted internally? Or do they need to go elsewhere to move up? 7/ "Can You Tell Me About A Time When Someone Was Encouraged To Step Outside The Confines Of Their Job Description?" This is a 2-for-1 deal. If the stretch project was to help them grow? Awesome. If it was forcing them to do extra, unnecessary work? Also great to know. 8/ "Can You Walk Me Through The Roadmap And Projections For The Next 12 Months?" Before you jump into any job, you should know where they stand and where they're going. They should be able to provide you with current #s plus projections and a clear vision for the future. 9/ Make A Prioritized List Most interviews only offer 5-10 minutes for questions. That gives you time for 2, maybe 3 questions. Before your next interview, review this list and choose 3 "Must Ask" questions along with 2-3 "On Deck" questions that you can ask if you have time.

15 Must-Ask questions during your job interview (and why they are important) A job interview is an opportunity to evaluate if the company is the right fit for you. Asking insightful questions shows your preparedness and enthusiasm. It also helps you make an informed career decision. Here are 15 must-ask questions to ask and why they matter: 1. How would you describe the company’s culture? ↳ Culture impacts job satisfaction, collaboration, and long-term success. 2. What are the company’s biggest goals for the next 12 months? ↳This gives insight into the company’s direction, priorities, and potential challenges. 3. How does this position contribute to the company's goals? ↳ A role with clear alignment to company objectives often has more impact and growth. 4. What are some projects/initiatives the team is working on? ↳ This gives a sneak peek into your potential workload and the team’s focus. 5. How does the company support employee growth? ↳ Knowing if they offer training or advancement helps you assess long-term potential. 6. What’s one thing that makes working at this company unique? ↳ This helps reveal what sets the organization apart and if it is important to you. 7. What is the team’s biggest challenge that I can help to solve? ↳ It helps the interviewers envision you as already part of their team. 8. What sets this company apart from its competitors? ↳ The company’s market position shows you the stability and growth potential. 9. Can you tell me about the team’s biggest recent win? ↳ This shows company culture and what the company values and celebrates. 10. What qualities do you value most in your team members? ↳ Knowing the key traits they appreciate helps you determine if your work style aligns. 11. How does the company support work-life balance? ↳ A healthy work-life balance leads to better well-being and productivity. 12. How does the company celebrate employee achievements? ↳ This tells you if employees’ efforts are valued and celebrated and how. 13. What are the KPIs and metrics for this position? ↳ Understanding how success is measured helps to ensure you can meet them. 14. How do employees describe their experience working here? ↳ Hearing about employee experiences gives an authentic view of the workplace. 15.  What’s the next step in the hiring process, and when can I expect to hear back? ↳ This ensures clarity on the timeline and keeps you informed about the next steps. An interview should be a two-way conversation. Asking strategic questions helps you gather the information to make the best decision. PS: If you are currently looking for a job and frustrated with the current job market, sign up for my Job Search Program. ♻ Repost this to help fellow job seekers ➕ Follow Anna Chernyshova for more

Always have a couple of great questions to ask at the end of an interview. Have 2 or 3 ready. These questions are most appropriate for a hiring manager. 1. What is the company culture like, and how would you describe the ideal employee at your company? This question helps you assess whether the company's values align with yours and whether you'd fit in well. 2. What is the typical day-to-day work in this role, and what are some of the most immediate projects I would be working on? This provides concrete details about the job's responsibilities and helps you see if the work aligns with your skills and interests. 3. What opportunities are available for career development and advancement within the company? This shows your interest in long-term growth and can help you understand the company's investment in its employees' futures. 4. What are the company's key challenges, and how can I contribute to overcoming them? This demonstrates your proactive approach and interest in contributing to the company's success. 5. How would you describe the team I'd be working with, and what are the team dynamics like? Understanding the team environment helps assess if you'd be a good fit and if you'd thrive within that social context. 6. What is the onboarding process like, and what support will I receive as I get up to speed in my role? This question shows your interest in making a smooth transition and highlights the importance of effective onboarding. 7. Can you describe your management style and how you foster a collaborative and supportive work environment? Understanding the management approach helps determine if you'd be comfortable working under that style and if the team environment suits your work style. 8. What are the key metrics for success in this role, and how will my performance be measured? This clarifies the expectations for your role and helps you understand how your contributions will be recognized. 9. What do you enjoy most about working at this company, and what are some of the biggest strengths of the company? This question shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you get a sense of the positive aspects of working there. 10. Is there anything else I can do to show my enthusiasm for this opportunity, and what are the next steps in the hiring process? This expresses your commitment and provides closure to your questions while clarifying the next steps in the hiring process.

The questions you ask in an interview matter more than you think. Most job seekers focus on answering interview questions but hiring managers pay close attention to the questions you ask, too. In fact, I've seen candidates win over employers simply by asking thoughtful, strategic questions. If you're still relying on, "What's the company culture like?" or "What are the next steps in the hiring process?" it's time to level up. I asked my LinkedIn network for the BEST questions a candidate has ever asked in an interview. The responses were incredible. Here are 5 questions of those questions: 1️⃣ “I’ve understood X, Y, and Z about the company and role from my research, but could you provide more detail so I know I have the full picture?” 🍊 Why it works: It shows that you've done your homework, but also gives the interviewer a chance to highlight other key information that you couldn't find online / didn't realize was so important. 2️⃣ “Is this position to replace someone, or is it a new role?” 🍊Why it works: If it’s replacing someone, you can ask more specific questions about how this role was conducted in the past. If it’s new, you'll know this is an opportunity to co-create the vision for this role. 3️⃣ “By when do you expect someone to be fully up and running in this position? What would our working relationship look like during that time?” 🍊 Why it works: This helps you understand the expectations, onboarding process, and what kind of support you’ll receive. 4️⃣ “What's an example of some critical feedback leadership has gotten recently and the actions they took in response to it?” 🍊Why it works: This question reveals how open the company is to new ideas and whether leadership fosters a culture of improvement. 5️⃣ “Is there anything about my skills or experience that you’d like me to clarify for you?” 🍊Why it works: Instead of directly asking if they have concerns, this phrasing invites feedback in a way that’s less risky. I'll link the full list of all the great questions to ask in an interview in the comments. Be sure to ask questions in your interviews!

Don’t get to the end of the interview without at least ONE good question. How you end your interview is just as important as how you begin it. If you don’t have any questions, you risk being perceived as a candidate who is not interested. And that’s too big a risk to take. Here’s the thing. By asking questions, you: - Demonstrates interest and engagement - Gain insights into the company and role - Showcase your relevant experience The key is → Asking the right questions. Here are 12 Questions to ask in the interview that will set you apart: 1. In your own words, what would you say this role is really about? 2. How will success be measured in this role? 3. What projects or goals are you excited about this year/quarter? 4. What values do you feel like the company can focus more on that maybe don’t get enough attention? 5. What is the greatest challenge facing the company/team? 6. How do you invest in employee learning, growth, and education? 7. What common traits/skills do you look for in your employees? 8. What are the traits of your most successful employees? 9. What projects or challenges have come up that warrant the need for this role? 10. What would success look like to you for this role? 11. What gets you most excited about the company’s future? 12. How has the company changed since you joined?

The Interview Questions That Got John Hired ⤵ When John reached out to me, 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝. He had experience. The work ethic. The drive. Yet interview after interview, he kept walking away with the same sinking feeling—𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭, another candidate managers would forget the moment he left the room. Each time, he’d ask the questions he thought he was supposed to ask: ⚫️ “What’s the culture like?” ⚫️ “What do you love about working here?” And every time, he got the same rehearsed answers: “We’re like a family!” or “It’s a great place to work!” But what did that actually mean? John wasn’t just looking for a job. He was looking for a company where he could grow, make an impact, and build a career. But he kept coming up short—𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. He called me feeling defeated. “𝐼 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡, 𝐽𝑒𝑏𝑏. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑚 𝐼 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔?” John wasn’t getting rejected because he lacked experience or talent. He was getting rejected because he was 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧. Hiring managers weren’t walking away from his interviews thinking, “This is the guy we need.” So we changed his approach ⤵ Instead of vague, surface-level questions, John started asking the kind that made hiring managers 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤— questions that demanded real answers. Here are 3 examples: ▪️What do new employees typically find surprising after they start? → Instead of fluffy answers, this gave John a realistic look at what to expect—and showed hiring managers he was thinking beyond the interview. ▪️ Can you share a recent example of how you supported an employee’s professional growth? → This forced the hiring team to prove they invest in their people. If they struggled to answer, John knew it wasn’t the right place for him. ▪️ How does the company handle and implement feedback from employees? → A great company listens. A bad one pretends to. This question revealed the difference. When John walked into his final interview ⤵ He wasn’t just hoping to be chosen. 𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎. Two days later, the offer came in. A Top 20 medical device company. Incredible benefits. A huge step forward in his career. All because he stopped acting like a candidate—and started thinking like a top performer. <><><><><><><><><> ▪️ Are you asking the right questions in your interviews? Let’s talk.

IMPORTANT—don’t accept a job until you’ve asked these questions! Every interview is a two-way street, and you’re not just being evaluated but also assessing if this is the right fit for you. Here are 6 powerful questions to help you make an informed decision: MANAGEMENT: • Can you share a story that illustrates how you like to manage your team? • Can you give an example of a recent team conflict and how it was handled? COMPANY CULTURE & FIT: • What are the top 3 personality traits that thrive in this company? • How do your company values show up day to day? ROLE & GROWTH: • How is performance evaluated, and what systems are in place to support success? • What professional development opportunities are available in this role? Asking these questions will help ensure you choose the right opportunity, not just the first one offered. If the interviewer avoids answering, consider it a red flag about the work environment. Follow Sports Business Ventures, where we champion having your career in your hands, so don’t be afraid to take control of the conversation!

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is not asking any questions. You should interview the company you’re applying to as much as they’re interviewing you. Techtrust hired an interview expert and put together a hiring & interview guide. Here are the top 5 questions candidates should ask (and how the interviewer should answer): ✅ Question 1: Can you tell me about the company and the team this position is a part of? → Interviewer: Be ready to provide a snapshot of the company, its core values, and the specific team dynamics. ✅ Question 2: How does this role contribute to the success of the company? → Interviewer: Discuss how the role contributes to the broader company goals. Candidates who see the value and impact of their work are more likely to be engaged and productive. ✅ Question 3: What is the company's approach to professional development and career advancement? → Interviewer: Explain the company's commitment to employee development, training opportunities, and career progression. Career advancement opportunities are a top priority for 70% of job seekers. ✅ Question 4: How would you describe the company culture and work environment? → Interviewer: Provide insights into the company's culture, values, and work environment. This allows candidates to test whether they would thrive in the organization's atmosphere. 83% of Gen-Z job seekers consider a healthy work environment key to their job satisfaction ✅ Question 5: What is the timeline for the hiring process and next steps? → Interviewer: Communicate a clear timeline and inform candidates about next steps including extra interviews, assessments, or reference checks. Transparency in the hiring process can increase candidate satisfaction by up to 40%. - - - - - Interviews are a two-way street—so ask the interviewer questions! ♻️ Liked this content? Repost this to your network And follow Techtrust for more hiring & interview guides #interviewtips #jobseeking #fintech #engineering #freeguides

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 have done more than 150 interviews and 300+ mock interviews in my career The next time you go to an interview ask these questions. The answers will help you decide if you want to work there, or not. ↳ How often have you had to work outside regular hours? ↳ What are the biggest risks to the company achieving success? ↳ Have you been promoted in this role? What was the process like? ↳ How does the company invest in their employee’s professional growth? ↳ What does collaboration look like across teams and departments here? ↳ How does the company define success for this role in the first 90 days? ↳ What are the next big projects or initiatives the team will be working on? ↳ What tools, technologies, or processes does the team rely on the most? ↳ How does the company celebrate or reward individual and team successes? ↳ Can you share an example of a recent challenge the team faced and how it was resolved? I hope it helps. Follow me, Jaret André for more interview tips.