● Module 2– Which questions should I ask?
Which questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Learning Objective:
Learners will be able to apply a three-prong questioning strategy during interviews by selecting questions about success expectations, team culture, and interviewer feedback.
The questions
should I ask?
Which questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Asking questions is crucial because it demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you figure out if the company is actually a good fit for you.
The “three-prong approach”.
While you should prepare four to five questions before the interview, you should aim to ask about three. A highly effective strategy is to use a “three-prong approach”, selecting one question from each of the following categories so that if the interviewer naturally answers one during the conversation, you have backups ready:
Forward-Thinking & Success
1. Forward-Thinking & Success Questions These questions show that you are already visualizing how to be successful and add value to their team.
- “Imagine you’re looking back on this hiring decision in a year.
What did the person you hired do to exceed your expectations?”. - “What would you love the new hire to accomplish in the first 90 days?” or “What would my onboarding and 30-60-90 day plan look like?”.
- “Can you tell me some characteristics of someone who has been really successful in this role before?”.
- “What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges facing the person who accepts this position?”.
Culture & Environment
2. Culture & Environment Questions These questions help you perform a gut-check on whether you will actually enjoy working there.
- “Can you tell me about a typical week in this role?” It is better to ask about a typical week rather than a “typical day,” as this gives you a much more realistic picture of the regular meetings, schedules, and workflows.
- “Can you tell me about the department culture?” (Note: Ask about the department rather than the overarching company culture, which you should have already researched online).
- “Can you tell me a little bit more about the team I would be working with?” or “Who are some of the key people I would be collaborating with, and what does that relationship look like?”.
The Feedback Question
3. The Feedback Question This is a bold, highly strategic question to ask at the very end of your interview.
- “Based on our conversation, is there anything leaving you with hesitancy in further considering me for the position?”.
While this question can feel intimidating to ask, it is incredibly powerful for three reasons: it proves to the interviewer that you are highly receptive to feedback, it gives you an immediate read on your chances of getting the job, and most importantly, it opens the door for you to instantly address and clarify any hidden doubts they might have about your experience before you leave the room.
Bonus Tips:
- Be Specific: If possible, pull a specific line or requirement directly from the job description and ask a targeted question about it. This proves you read the description thoroughly and are thinking critically about the work.
- Next Steps: It is always a good idea to wrap up by asking, “When do you plan on making a hiring decision?” so you know exactly what to expect regarding their timeline
Lessons selected for you.
