How do you ask what the position is in a job interview?

“Have you got any questions for me?”

Although many candidates stifle a sigh of relief when they get to this point in a job interview, many others are filled with dread. After talking for the best part of an hour, their mind goes blank and they can’t think of any good questions to ask in their job interview. 

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Despite thoroughly researching and preparing for their interview, many candidates forget to prepare questions to ask their potential employer. Having killer interview questions ready can really help you stand out and set you up for success. 

Is it THAT important to think about questions to ask in a job interview?

In short, yes.

Great interviewees want to know what the company plans to do and how they will fit into those plans. A chance to ask questions at an interview allows you to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are thinking from the perspective of someone who is already part of the organisation. And, although you’re being interviewed, you’re also interviewing the company. This is your opportunity to find out if the company and the role you’re applying for are the right fit for you and whether or not it aligns with your goals. 

But what are the best questions to ask in a job interview? How do you come up with the right questions to ask a potential employer that somehow finds out what you need to know and shows that you’re the ideal hire? 

Take a two-pronged approach: think about your professional aims and what an ideal job and workplace would look like for you. Then conduct some research on the company to make sure the questions you’re asking are relevant to the company’s vision as well as your own. 

As a general rule, you should prepare more questions than you need because some of them are likely to be answered during the interview. Ideally, you’ll have two or three solid questions to ask your potential employer before the interview wraps up.

When it comes to what are the best questions to ask in a job interview, steer clear of overly personal ones (finding out your hiring manager’s favourite snack from the vending machine should probably wait until you actually have the job). Focus on asking open-ended questions, as these will give you a chance to further develop a rapport with the interviewer.

Asking the right questions at a job interview is what separates exceptional job seekers from the average, and shows that you're interested in the opportunity and company, not just the pay cheque.

What are good questions to ask in a job interview?

To help you stand out from the rest, here are our seven killer job interview questions to ask employers at your next interview. 

1. What do I have to do to succeed in this role?

Great professionals want to know what makes a difference in an organisation, as they understand that helping the company succeed means that they succeed as well. Asking this particular question will demonstrate that you are a dedicated, ambitious and focused worker who is keen to contribute to the company.

Furthermore, as an employee, you are an investment to your employer and will be expected to generate value for the company in return for your salary. One of the ways this is achieved is by exceeding performance indicators. Asking about those indicators is a great way to show that you don’t just want a job; you want to thrive in your position and make an impact. 

2. Do you think I will be a good fit for the company? 

As questions to ask in a job interview go — this one’s a real winner.

First of all, asking this will show an employer that you are eager to succeed in the role and are an individual who strives for success in whatever you set out to do. 

Secondly, asking for a subjective opinion shows your openness to constructive criticism, especially as the person who interviews you for a position will often end up being the person you’re working directly under. 

Thirdly, having your future manager’s opinion of you from the start is useful in forging that relationship down the line (and thriving in your new role). 

And, finally, true leaders at work embrace challenges and plan around tackling these challenges.

This question tells the interviewer that you are not afraid of a challenge, that you are serious about the job and that you are forward thinking in nature. That’s why it’s one of the best questions to ask in a job interview!

3. What are some of the challenges that the predecessor faced in this role? 

When you’re thinking about what questions to ask in a job interview, don’t be afraid to put the interviewer on the spot.

While the interviewer might not expect this question, the answer will be telling. A straight, direct and positive affirmation with an explanation would be a good sign, while a hesitant reaction should be taken as a red flag.

Remember, the interview is as much about you assessing the company as it is about the interviewer assessing you. Smart interviewees will always want to know what they are in for — understanding the immediate challenges of the job will help determine if it is a role in which you can truly excel.

4. What are you hoping to see from the next person to fill this role that was missing in the last? 

A question like this will demonstrate your ability to address and tackle possible problems before they even surface. The answer can shed light on what might have made the last person lose or leave the job, as well as tip you off on the path to success. 

In an interview, you are selling yourself as the perfect future employee, so it’s important to demonstrate that you are a team player who is not only interested in excelling at what you do but also in what your colleagues value.

And, as an added bonus, it will give you a few clues as to the kind of things your potential employer wants to hear, so you can tailor your answers as the conversation continues.

5. Do you have any reservations about my fit for the position that I could try to address? Is there anything that is missing from my CV that you need? 

Asking an interviewer if there’s something missing or any reservations or hesitations on your resume is a great opportunity to address any gaps before your potential employer makes a decision.

Not only does it give you a chance to resolve any hesitations the employer might have about you, but it also demonstrates that you can take constructive criticism and are eager to improve – valuable qualities in any new employee. 

This is also good practice even if you don’t get the job, as it can help you to make relevant adjustments to your resume based on these hesitations before your next interview, particularly if you’re applying within a specific industry.

6. What would you like to see this role producing in the future? Are there any roles similar to this one that you’re looking to fill soon?

Ask your interviewer where the role will be headed in the next month, six months, even up to five years. This shows you are ready to hit the ground running on any upcoming projects, and are already trying to see where you can fit in and what you will be expected to start working on.

If it’s a temporary or contract position, are there any other similar positions you can keep your eye on? If you know your contract is coming to an end soon and you would like to stay on board, you’ll already know what similar roles are available, and it’ll give you the chance to prepare to apply for another role at the company.

7. What is the company culture like? What is your favourite thing about it? 

It’s important to know the finer details, like the expected dress code and how the people in the company relate if you want to know how you’ll fit in with them. The social aspect of a company structure can be incredibly valuable to forming lasting and productive relationships and asking about this early on shows that you’re thinking long-term. It’s also useful to gauge from a current employee what they think of the company before you come on board; even if you’ve done your own research on the company, an insider perspective will give you a deeper understanding.

One question you should always try to avoid asking: What sort of salary are you offering?

Or something to that effect. Yes, you need to know whether you're wasting your time going after a role that pays significantly less than your previous (or current) one. And yes, it’s understandable that you have a mouth (or several) to feed and a roof to keep over your head. But just as you wouldn't ask someone on the first date if they're interested in having children, you hold off on this question until you're on firmer ground. The last thing you want is to be viewed as someone who values money over the new opportunities the role can bring. 

Of course, the exception to this rule is that if the interviewer raises the issue themselves, then it’s an indication that they are keen to discuss it. In which case, feel free to talk about your salary expectations whilst being respectful and realistic. Hopefully it goes without saying, but don’t be rude or dismissive if the figure is lower than you hoped for — keep the conversation going. If you really impressed them at the interview, there may be some wiggle room further down the track so it’s worth finishing the interview with the same enthusiasm that you started it with.

Nail your next job interview with these 7 killer interview questions 

Stand out from the crowd and show off your confidence with these 7 killer interview questions to ask employers. You won’t have a chance to ask all 7, so make sure you pick the ones that are most relevant to you, after all this is a chance for you to impress and also find out if the job is right for you. 

Looking for your next job or career change? Check out our Job Search page for a look at all of our current opportunities. 

Alternatively, you can give one of our specialist recruiters a call to discuss your next career move.