Top interview questions for YOU to ask (and what to avoid)

By Dena Gouweloos | denagouweloos@gmail.com

The dreaded interview: a time for you to show your talent, charisma, personality, dedication and value to a complete stranger, all within an average 30 minutes. While curveball questions and pointed inquiries from your interviewer should cover all of the things your potential employer needs to know, your chance to truly shine comes after their list of questions, where you get to ask yours.

The dreaded interview: a time for you to show your talent, charisma, personality, dedication and value to a complete stranger, all within an average 30 minutes. While curveball questions and pointed inquiries from your interviewer should cover all of the things your potential employer needs to know, your chance to truly shine comes after their list of questions, where you get to ask yours.

A poignant or thoughtful question about the company or the role shows not only that you’re an engaged interviewee but also shows your genuine interest in the role. Conversely, an awkward or impolite question has the power to outweigh all of the great responses you’ve given. To help you shine your brightest, here are examples of great questions to ask — and ones to avoid at all costs — to solidify your candidacy for a new role.

Good questions

1. If there was one thing you could change about this company, what would it be and why?

Just like you’ve been asked what your worst qualities are, this is a polite way to see what challenges you might be facing if the company hires you. No organization is perfect, and it shows you look at things from a realistic perspective — you want to know exactly what you’re getting into before diving in headfirst.

2. How long have you been with the company?

It’s not uncommon for companies to have turnover, but the amount of time someone stays with a company, or in a specific position or department, speaks a lot about company loyalty and the existing work environment — committed, long-term staff means you’re more likely to join a great team, but if no one’s been there for longer than six months, consider it a red flag.

3. Can you give me an example of collaboration or teamwork (or creativity, problem-solving, etc.) within the company?

This kind of question shows what trait you value most; asking for specific examples shows you’re keen to dig deep into the company’s culture. Have the interviewee prove that the company has the right foundation and environment that you need to be set up for success.

4. I noticed some interesting things about X. Can you tell me a bit more about X project, work with X client, X specific case study?

Show you’ve done your research, and that you know your stuff. Find the company’s client roster or a recent major accomplishment and ask for specific details, like how the team came up with an exciting idea, or why they chose to activate in a specific market. This puts you in a unique position to prove your awareness of the industry and how the company fits into it while showing your enthusiasm to join an accomplished team.

Bad questions

1. Does the role/company allow working from home?

If you’re interested in the role, be wholly interested. Asking to work from home before landing the role implies that you’re eager to not be a part of this team. You may work more efficiently in the privacy of your own home, but if you’re already asking to stay home before you even start, you’ll likely be staying home to apply to new roles.

2. What’s the starting salary for this position?

Show your interviewer you’re looking for a career, not just a way to make ends meet, or take advantage of a company’s finances. Regardless of your current financial needs, the interview process is about getting to know you, your talents and your career goals — save the money talk for if and when they actually decide to hire you.

3. When can I start taking vacation?

Asking for time off before you even begin isn’t a great look. Depending on how you phrase this, it may come across as though you’re already looking for a respite from a job you don’t even have yet. However, if you do require time off for a trip/commitment that’s already planned and cannot be moved, then it’s worth flagging with your potential new employer. A little bit of flexibility can go a long way in securing a new job, but most employers are understandable and may be able to push start dates to accommodate.

4. Can you explain what the company does?

Companies are looking for someone excited to start working, with the right amount of experience and industry knowledge that can add value to the team. This question shows a serious lack of enthusiasm about the role and can also raise the question of whether you have any industry experience at all — especially if your interviewer is a reputable, well-known company with a record of success that speaks for itself.