Best questions to ask in an interview
At the end of a job interview, the interviewer will often ask if you have any questions for them. Asking questions may seem challenging to some job seekers. But it's a great opportunity to impress the hiring manager further. Knowing which questions to ask at an interview helps you determine whether the job is right for you. It also lets you show the interviewer you're the best person for the role.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, poor communication is the main factor preventing public university graduates from landing jobs. Preparing a list of good job interview questions can help you demonstrate strong communication skills throughout the hiring process. This is also a great way to stand apart from other job applicants.
Questions you ask in an interview can address a wide range of topics. For example, you could ask about the role and its responsibilities, performance expectations, career advancement opportunities, or the company's culture.
Read on to learn the right questions to ask in a job interview. Here's what we'll cover:
- Common questions to ask during an interview
- Tips on asking questions during an interview
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Common questions to ask during an interview
Most hiring managers offer you an opportunity to ask questions during an interview. It's essential to prepare several questions that express your interest in the job and show that you've researched the company. Let's take a look at some good questions to ask at the end of an interview.
Questions about the role and responsibilities
Asking questions about the role during an interview gives you a better understanding of its day-to-day duties and responsibilities. It allows you to clarify anything the interviewer discussed earlier and uncover potential hurdles you may face to succeed in the role. This information can help you decide whether the job is a good fit for you.
Sample questions:
- What are the responsibilities of this position on a typical day?
- What are the biggest challenges someone in this role might face?
- What important skills or qualities might I need to succeed?
- What are the expectations for the first 30/60/90 days?
- How does the company measure success in this role?
Questions about the team and company culture
When choosing questions to ask in a job interview, you may want to include some about the existing team you'll join if the company hires you. Understanding the team dynamics can give you a better idea of the team members you work with regularly and how your role interacts with theirs. It's also important to ask questions about the company culture to determine whether you can thrive in the workplace. These questions show the hiring manager that you care about integrating as a team member and being the right cultural fit for the company.
Sample questions:
- Can you describe the team culture here?
- What are some of the company's core values, and how does the daily work reflect these?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth?
- Can you tell me about my direct reports? (if applicable)
- How does this team collaborate with other departments?
Questions demonstrating your interest and initiative
You shouldn't only ask questions that you think might impress hiring managers. This opportunity allows you to learn about the things that interest you about the job and the current company, such as work-life balance policies, new products, or plans for growth. Such questions can help demonstrate all the skills you need and your eagerness to work for the organisation.
Sample questions:
- What are the biggest challenges or opportunities facing the company right now?
- What are some of the long-term goals for this position?
- Why is this position currently open?
- In what ways does this company help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance?
- What do you enjoy most about working in this company?
Questions about career growth and development
When you apply for a job, it's essential to know whether the role offers opportunities for career advancement. You want to know if the company provides training to help you stay up to date, develop new skills, or follow potential career paths that excite you.
Sample questions:
- Does the company offer professional development opportunities, such as conferences or training programmes?
- How does the company promote from within?
- Can you describe a typical career path for someone in this role?
Questions about performance
Knowing how your prospective employer measures employee performance or success is vital to understanding their expectations and management style. Knowing your manager's expectations can help you understand what it takes to do well in your job and advance your career.
Sample questions:
- How does the company provide performance feedback?
- How often can I expect to receive feedback on my work?
- How does the company help employees improve their skills?
Tips on asking questions during an interview
Coming up with thoughtful and relevant job interview questions is a great way to make a positive impression on a potential employer. The best questions demonstrate your interest in the role to hiring managers and show that you've spent time preparing for the interview. Follow these tips to compile good interview questions to ask:
Personalise your questions
When you're putting together a list of questions to ask at an interview, make sure that you phrase each one correctly. Avoid asking generic questions. Research the company and the position beforehand. Ask questions that relate specifically to you. For instance, rather than asking, “What does a typical workday look like?” you could ask, “What would my typical workday look like?” This encourages the hiring manager to visualise you in the role and see you as the right person for the job.
Build off earlier conversations
Start by paying attention to the information the hiring manager shares throughout the interview. Then, ask questions that build off the earlier discussion. You should prepare situational job interview questions. For example, you could follow up on a project the interviewer said the team is working on. Or, you might ask about a responsibility that the job description didn't mention. Try to make this part of the interview a continuation of the conversation. This technique can create engaging dialogue and help showcase your critical-thinking skills.
Prepare questions in advance
Having a list of interview questions to ask the employer makes you look interested, engaged, and enthusiastic. It also gives you a final chance to highlight your qualities and experience. Try to prepare four or five questions for each interview. Preparing several questions gives you backups if the interviewer addresses some questions in the earlier discussion. Ideally, you should have at least one question for each of the categories we mentioned above. If you're applying for a creative job, you may want to have some unique interview questions to ask the employer.
Focus on open-ended questions
Avoid asking questions that require only a “yes” or “no” answer. The answers to such questions are likely available on the company's website. Open-ended questions demand a full explanation. They often lead to a more engaging and richer conversation that helps you build rapport with the interviewer. They also provide more insight and information that can give you a deeper understanding of the job and the company.
Conclusion
Securing employment can be challenging in Malaysia's competitive job market. To increase your job prospects, make an extra effort to set yourself apart from other job seekers during an interview. In addition to preparing your responses, you should create a list of job interview questions to ask the hiring manager. These questions allow you to gain a better insight into the role and the company. They give you an opportunity to showcase your soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
To make a good impression on the interviewer, try to personalise your questions and make them feel like a part of the conversation. Refrain from asking questions that the interviewer can answer with just a “yes” or “no.” Focus your questions on important topics such as job responsibilities, work performance, company culture, and career advancement opportunities.
FAQs
- What are good questions to ask about a job in an interview?
Asking questions about the job can help you determine if the role is right for you. It's also a great way to show the interviewer your interest in the job. Some examples of good questions to ask about a job include:
What are the daily responsibilities of this role?
What are the biggest challenges I might expect to face in this role?
What are the most important skills or qualities I need to do well in this role?
How will the company measure my performance in this role?
- How do you ask smart questions in an interview?
Asking smart questions during a job interview can give you deeper insights into the role and the company. These questions can help you make a positive impression on the hiring manager. Here are some examples:
Why is this position open?
What do you like most about working for this company?
How will you measure my success in this role?
What can I expect in terms of support and development?
How would you describe the company's management style?
- What's one unique interview question to ask an employer?
Asking unique job interview questions can help you make a stronger impression on the hiring manager and stand out from other job seekers. Examples of such questions are, “What are the core objectives of this company?" and "How does this role contribute to company initiatives?"
- Is it okay to ask about salary and benefits early in the interview?
Generally, it isn't a good idea to ask about salary and benefits in your first interview. It could give the interviewer the impression that your interest lies more in how the job benefits you than what you can contribute to the company. You should wait to ask about salary and benefits until the hiring manager thinks you're a good fit and worth investing in. That's usually after at least two interviews.
- Should I ask questions about the interviewer's experience at the company?
It depends on what you want to know about your potential employer. Asking questions about the hiring manager's experience at the company can give you an inside view of working there. It also helps you build rapport with your interviewer.
- Is it okay to ask about company culture in a remote work environment?
Asking about remote work arrangements too early isn't usually advisable. It can give the interviewer the impression that you want a job that allows you to work remotely instead of the specific job opportunity your interview covers. It's best to ask this question later in the interview process.
- How many questions are too many to ask in an interview?
Try to avoid asking more than three questions at the end of an interview. If you need crucial information, you can ask one or two more questions.
