Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview (and Which to Avoid)

Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview (and Which to Avoid)

Almost every interview ends the same way: "Do you have any questions for us?" Saying "No, I think you've covered everything" is a missed opportunity.

Good questions show you've thought seriously about the role. They also help you decide whether you actually want the job. Here are the questions worth asking, grouped by what you want to learn.

Why your questions matter

Interviewers notice how you think about the job. A thoughtful question suggests you're imagining yourself in the role already. It's also your best chance to spot red flags before you accept an offer.

Prepare five or six questions, then pick two or three depending on what the interview already covered.

Questions about the role

• What does a typical week look like in this role?
• What are the most important things this person should achieve in the first 90 days?
• What's the biggest challenge someone in this role will face?
• How has this role changed over the past year, or is it new?

Questions about success

• How will you measure success in this role after six months?
• What separates someone who's good in this role from someone who's excellent?
• What did the last person in this role do particularly well?

These questions show you care about results, not just about getting hired.

Questions about the team

• Who would I work with most closely day to day?
• How does the team share work and give feedback?
• How does this team work with other departments?

Questions about the company

• What are the company's main priorities for the next year?
• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• How do people usually grow from this role?

Questions about next steps

• What are the next steps in the process?
• When can I expect to hear back?
• Is there anything about my background you'd like me to clarify?

The last one is bold but useful. It gives you a chance to address concerns before the interview ends. And knowing the timeline tells you when to follow up. Our guide on how to follow up on a job application has templates for that.

Which questions to ask at each stage

• Recruiter screen: Best questions to ask: Next steps, timeline, team structure.
• Hiring manager interview: Best questions to ask: First 90 days, success measures, biggest challenges.
• Team or peer interview: Best questions to ask: Day-to-day work, collaboration, what they enjoy.
• Final interview: Best questions to ask: Company priorities, growth, anything to clarify.

Questions to avoid (or save for later)

• Anything answered on the website or in the interview. It shows you weren't listening or didn't prepare.
• "What does your company do?" Research this beforehand.
• Salary and benefits in a first interview, unless the interviewer brings it up. Many recruiters discuss pay during the first screen, so it's fine there. For later stages, read our salary negotiation scripts.
• "Did I get the job?" Ask about next steps instead.
• Yes or no questions. Open questions start better conversations.

Write down what you learn

The answers you get are useful later, for your thank-you message, the next interview round and your final decision. Save them right after the interview with the application in the JobStacky Job Application Tracker, along with interviewer names and the promised timeline.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions should I ask?

Two or three is usually right. If time is short, ask one strong question about the role or success.

Is it okay to bring written questions?

Yes. Bringing a short list shows preparation. Just don't read them word for word.

What if all my questions were already answered?

Say so, and ask a follow-up: "You mentioned the team is growing. How will that change this role?"

Can I ask about remote work?

Yes, especially if the job post isn't clear. Ask neutrally, for example "How does the team usually split office and remote work?"

Never lose track of an interview

Save interviewer names, questions and next steps for every application in JobStacky.