The Best (And Worst) Questions To Ask An Interviewer

Interviews can be a nerve-wracking time for even confident people with plenty of experience. Many people get so caught up trying to showcase their abilities that they forget to think about what to ask the interviewer. There are various best and worst questions to ask an interviewer that can help make or break your interview. 

At HiCounselor, we help our clients prepare for interviews by holding detailed sessions with them. To help you prep for your upcoming interview, we’ve created this guide on the best and worst questions you can ask an interviewer. If you’d like more help in acing interviews, contact us and let one of our experts guide you!

Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer

If you want to impress the recruiter, you should ask the sort of questions that reveal your abilities, preparation, and insights. There are many questions that can help you do that. We’ve broken them down into sections to make the information easier to digest. 

Job Role

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?

• Who is your ideal candidate?

• What’s a typical work week like?

• How often does the role require overtime work?

• What are some of the challenges of the role?

• Will I have to travel?

• Can I work from home if required?

• Why did the previous employee in this role leave?

Culture

• What’s the management style of the top executives?

• Is there an open door policy here?

• What sort of benefits does the company provide?

• Can you tell me about the company’s mission and values?

• What are the plans for growth and development?

Team/Department

• How many people are part of the team/department?

• Who will I report to? Will I get to meet them before a final offer?

• How do you onboard employees?

• Is there a designated person to help newcomers figure things out?

Advancement

• What are the prospects for career advancement in this role?

• Has anyone been promoted from this position?

• Are there any professional development opportunities?

• Does the company assist employees who upskill?

Interview Clarification

• Do you want any clarification about my qualifications?

• Would you like me to expand on anything mentioned in my resume?

• If I’m selected for the role, how soon would you like me to start?

• By when will you make your final selection?

Worst Questions to Ask an Interviewer

If the best questions help you put your best foot forward, the worst ones do just the opposite. They make you look unprepared and make you seem like the wrong fit. Try not to ask the following questions during an interview.

• What kind of work does the company do?

• How many leaves are permitted each year?

• Do you allow casual wear in the office?

• Do you penalize workers for frequent tardiness/absenteeism?

• Can I do the work according to my own schedule?

We hope this list of the best and worst questions to ask an interviewer helps you pass the interview! If you need help finding a job or preparing for an interview, get in touch with us at HiCounselor and have a chat with one of our friendly experts. The best part about working with us is we only take payment after we’ve found you a job!