Post job interview- you may be asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” and if so, you should always try to reply with a “yes”. This gives you a chance to address any questions you may have regarding the position, the company, etc. You should be prepared and your questions should be relevant and intentional. Here are some examples of questions you can ask following the initial interview.

Address Doubts

Any inquiries you have relating to the position that has not yet been discussed should be asked during this time. These questions should be specific and would not be found on the company website or in the job description. Some examples would be asking, “What are some challenges that someone in this position faces?”, “What does a typical day look like for someone in this position?”, “Is it mostly collaborative, independent. etc?”  “What does the training look like for someone in my position?” These inquiries will give you a better understanding of what to expect in this role.

Clarify Your Background

Use this opportunity to address any topics that you feel may not have been clearly portrayed or understood in relation to you, your skills, or experience. Sometimes your answer may be perceived differently than how you intended – and this will be the perfect opportunity for the hiring manager to address their own concerns or questions they have for you. You can ask “What types of skills are you looking for with a new hire for this role?” “Do you have any concerns regarding my background for this role?” Of course, only ask them if it seems relevant and appropriate in the conversation and you may feel you need to specify some things.

Inquiry About What’s Ahead

You can also inquire about the future of the company. However, be careful about these types of questions that you ask (we’ll touch on that at the end of this blog). Some questions you can ask for example are, “Where do you see the growth of the company in a few years?”, Or “What do the training programs look like for employees?” if this has not yet been discussed, or you can also inquire here if there are opportunities for advancement or growth in your position.

Questions Regarding the Company

Asking questions regarding company culture, retention or growth can save you from hesitations, or stress in the long run. Certain questions you can ask relating to these topics could be, about the company culture and what that’s like. If you’re working with a team – you can ask what that would be like. Or what the career progression looks like for their successful employees or the career path in the department you will be working in. Getting a better idea of where the company is currently and how you fit into play – will help you better understand and grasp the atmosphere and if it’s something you’d be open to.

Briefly Inquire About the Interviewer

After the above questions are asked (if any), take some time to get to know the person conducting the interview if it seems appropriate. You can ask questions such as, “Why did you join this company?”, or what their favorite part about working at that company is.  Or how long they have been with the company. Not only will this give you a better understanding of their reasoning, but could also give some insight into the company and how it’s operated.

Conclude the Interview

Once all additional questions are asked, conclude the interview by wrapping up the conversation. Some ways to end the conversation on your end is by asking, “Is there anything else you need from me?” Or “What are the next steps in the interview process?” – Asking in this manner avoids being too bold and allows you to understand what to expect going forward.

What to Avoid

There are some topics you should stray away from when asking questions in an interview. Topics such as salary and benefits (this is something that can be discussed if there’s interest going forward and may have been acknowledged on either end briefly before the interview). Also, avoid questions like, how do your employees have fun in the office, topics on pets or children, and also asking too many questions in general. Ask the few that are very important to you.