5 Great Ways to Answer “Do You Have Any Questions For Me?”

“Do you have any questions for me?” That’s likely one of the most cumbersome questions that come up during a job interview. 

The interview usually includes introductions, discussions about yourself and the company, and how you and your talents will mesh with the team and the role in question. By the time the conversation is over, you know everything about the job, the company, and whether the position is a good fit for you.

And then they pop the question: “Do you have any questions for me?”

You’ve already gone through all the details with your interviewer. At this point, you probably just want to go home and wait for that email that says the job is yours. 

After a long day of preparing mentally, getting dressed for your interview, and sitting through hours of conversations, you might be itching to reply that you’re good and have all the information you need. But while your interviewer might simply be asking the question to make sure that they didn’t miss anything, this could also be a test to see how you respond. 

Even if it’s not a test, if you’re well-prepared, this opening gives you the opportunity to ask questions that will leave the interviewer with a good impression. Plus, maybe there are some questions you should ask to get useful information about the company.

So what type of questions should you ask? Here are some ideas:

1. What Do You Enjoy Most About Working Here?

It can be tough to learn all about the company culture before you actually start working there. Fortunately, this question is a great way to get some insider insight into what life is like as an employee.

So, go ahead and ask your interviewers what they like most about working there. If they can’t stop raving about the amazing leadership, the supportive culture, and the numerous perks? Well, that’s a great sign. But, if the best answer they can come up with is the average vacation policy, you might want to proceed with caution. It’s difficult to stay at a job when you’re unhappy, so you definitely don’t want to get involved with a company if you know there’s an issue from the get-go.

2. What Is the One Key Thing That Someone Needs in Order to Be Successful in This Role?

Sure, you’ve read the job description backward and forward numerous times. But, sometimes, it’s nice to hear directly from the hiring manager about what they think makes the perfect candidate.

Perhaps you need to be an expert in something technical like Photoshop or Excel. Or, maybe the ideal applicant possesses a certain soft skill, such as being extremely organized or an excellent communicator.

Pose this question to your interviewer, and you’re sure to gain some added insight into what it takes to be the best fit for that position.

3. What Are Your Expectations for This Role in the First 60 Days?

The job description likely clued you in to some of the day-to-day responsibilities associated with that position. But, you’re still pretty out of the loop regarding the goals for the person that will take on that role.

Is there a certain metric they will use to measure that person’s success? Or, is there a large project they’re hoping that person will get moving on almost immediately?

If you end up accepting an offer, you want to do so knowing that you both have the same expectations. So, this is a great question to ask to ensure you’re on the same page right from the get-go. Even if further details come out after you officially start the job, you’ll at least begin operating with a common understanding.

4. How Would You Describe the Leadership Style at This Company?

Company culture trickles from the top down, so it’s good to know what the company’s leadership style is like. Is it rigid and formal, or do the higher-ups pride themselves on having an open-door policy? Are leaders more hands-off, or do they prefer to work closely with employees?

Ask this question to get the down and dirty on how things work at this company. Whether you’re interviewing for a leadership role yourself or simply want to know what the people you’ll be working under are like, this is important information for you to gather. If you like what you hear, that’s great. If not, you’ll know to continue your job search.

5. What’s Next in the Hiring Process?

Sometimes you’re caught off guard and you simply can’t think of an amazing, thought-provoking question to pose to your interviewer.

In those cases, go ahead and ask about what’s next in the hiring process. Will there be second interviews scheduled? Will they get in touch with everybody—even if they aren’t moving forward? When can you expect to hear from them?

Not only is getting the lowdown on what’s next a great way to cap off the interview, but it also ensures that you exit the office with the information you really want and need.

Don’t Miss the Opportunity—Ask Questions!

Most job interviews end with the hiring manager asking if you have anything you’d like clarified or answered. The last thing you want to do is reply with an off-base question or a quick, “Nope, I’m good!” 

Instead, have one of these five questions ready to go, and you’re sure to end that interview on the right note.