7. What are the daily responsibilities of this position?
The aim of this question is to find out exactly what you’ll be doing as an employee. Is it mostly admin work? Taking calls? Attending meetings? This signals to the interviewer that you’re really interested in the day-to-day, not just the title or pay. Plus, you’ll better grasp what the position actually entails and whether or not it’s what you want.
If the interviewer doesn’t get specific enough, or if they say that every day is different, follow up with another question: “what is the current person in the role doing now? What does the average day, week, or month look like?”
6. How do you measure success in this position?
The answer to this question will give you some incredibly important insight. It helps you better understand the benchmarks of the position, the goals you need to achieve, and which parts of your role are the most important to the company.
Another question you can ask is “what are the contributions and achievements you’d expect from me in the next few months/year?” This gives you more specific information about your KPIs and if you’ll be able to handle the work at your current level of experience/skill.
5. What are the most important qualities for someone in this position to have?
Similarly, “what differentiates a good [position] from a bad one?” Like the previous question, it will help you measure success—not in terms of tangible objectives, but in terms of the attitudes and behaviours necessary to do well in the position.
This shows ambition, drive, and a desire to be not just average but exceptional. It will also help you gauge whether or not you’re capable of delivering the performance they expect of you.
4. What are the challenges someone in this position will face?
The answer to this isn’t something immediately apparent from the job title or description. Ideally, the interviewer will be honest about budget limitations, communication issues, workload expectations, and other problems you’ll have to deal with right from the get-go.
3. What’s the work culture like?
When interviewing someone, hiring managers are trying to determine if you’re the right fit for the company. This question will do the same. Ask how they would describe the working dynamics, relationships within the company, and what kind of people thrive in their working environment.
There are no right or wrong answers because everyone is different. Some thrive in formal companies that value structure and hierarchy. Others want something more friendly, relaxed, and casual. Either way, knowing what to expect will save you a lot of stress in the long run.
2. Is there room for growth?
Alternatively, ask “what’s the career path like for someone in this position?” It demonstrates ambition (see a pattern here) and a desire to become a bigger contributor to the company’s success. It will also help you get a better sense of whether or not this is a company that will help you achieve your long-term goals.
1. What are the next steps?
Whether it’s the initial phone interview or the final step in the process, this is one of the typical questions you should not miss. Getting a timeline will set expectations and guide you with future communications.
You’re not spending weeks needlessly worrying about the job. And if the date comes and goes without an answer, you can follow up or move onto another prospect. Plus, this question signals that you’re really interested in moving forward.
Conclusion
Whether you’re going for a teacher job, nursing job, or a job in Wall Street, the final questions and answers portion is a crucial part of any interview. Ultimately, your goal should be to learn more about the company you’re applying for, not trying to look smarter or more capable. Ask questions that really matter to you, and get the information you need to make the best decision for your career.