What Questions Should You Ask at the End of an Interview?
20 questions to ask the hiring manager, grouped by topic, the ones to avoid, and how to tailor them to whoever you're talking to.
“Do you have any questions?” That phrase comes at the end of almost every interview, and answering “No, everything is clear” is a missed opportunity. The questions you ask show your interest in the role, your preparation, and how you think. They also help you check whether the job is really right for you.
Here are 20 questions to ask the interviewer, organized by theme, plus the ones to avoid and how to choose them.
How many questions should you ask?
Two or three is enough. Prepare five or six, because some may have been answered during the interview. Write them down: pulling out a notebook with your questions shows you came prepared.
20 questions to ask the interviewer
About the role
- What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
- What would my priorities be during the first three months?
- How will you measure the success of the person you hire after one year?
- What are the main challenges of this role today?
- Is this a new position or a replacement?
About the team
- Who would I work with on a daily basis?
- How is the team organized?
- How would you describe the team’s working style?
- How does onboarding work for a new hire?
About the company
- What are the company’s key projects for the coming year?
- I read that you’re opening a new office: how will that affect the department?
- What do you like most about working at this company?
About growth
- What are the opportunities for growth in this role?
- Is there training planned for new hires?
- How do annual reviews work?
About next steps
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
- When do you expect to make a decision?
- Is there anything in my background you’d like me to go into more detail about?
- Do you have any concerns about my application?
- Can I follow up with you if I have a question in the meantime?
The last two are bold but very useful: they give you a chance to address a doubt before the interview ends.
What your questions reveal
A question about the role’s goals shows you’re results-oriented. A question about the team shows you see yourself as part of a group. A question about training shows your desire to learn. On the other hand, questions only about vacation, hours, or remote work give the impression that your priorities lie elsewhere. So choose your questions based on the impression you want to leave, and save practical topics for the end of the process.
Do your research to ask better questions
The best questions build on what you’ve learned about the company: a new office opening, a new product, a news article, a job posting on their website. “I saw that you’re opening an office in Austin: would this role be involved with that?” shows your preparation far better than a generic question. Ten minutes of research is enough to find one or two.
Questions to avoid (in a first interview)
- Questions whose answers are on the company website: they show you did not do your research.
- Salary first thing, unless the interviewer brings it up.
- Vacation, remote work, and schedule before you have talked about the role: save those for the end of the process.
- Closed questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
How to ask your questions
Write down three or four questions before the interview, and keep them in your notebook. During the conversation, some of them will get answered: don’t ask them again, that would show you weren’t listening. Instead, go with a question that builds on what was said: “You mentioned a new software platform: who will support the rollout?” A question like that is worth more than a prepared one, because it proves you were paying attention.
Sample end of an interview
Thank you for the explanation. I have two questions. What would a typical day look like during the first month? And what would tell you that the person you hired has successfully settled in, six months from now? Finally, can you tell me what the next steps in the hiring process are?
Three questions: the day-to-day, the expectations, the next steps. It’s a simple structure that works for almost any role.
Tailor your questions to your audience
| Who you’re talking to | Questions that fit |
|---|---|
| Recruiter | Process, timeline, company culture |
| Future manager | Role priorities, challenges, how the team is organized |
| Executive | Strategy, projects, mid-term vision |
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to ask no questions at all?
It won’t automatically disqualify you, but it’s often read as a lack of interest. One good question is enough to make a better impression.
Can you ask about remote work?
Yes, preferably toward the end of the interview or during a second conversation, phrased in an open way: “How does the team handle the split between the office and remote work?”
Should you write down the answers?
Can you ask about salary in a first interview?
It’s better to let the interviewer bring it up. If they haven’t by the final interview, you can ask.
How much time should you spend on questions?
About five minutes. If the interviewer seems rushed, ask your most important question and ask about the next steps.
Preparing your questions also means reviewing your resume: with CVZeno, make sure it’s up to date and print it before the interview.