The end of an interview is your chance to shape how they remember you. A weak “No, I think you covered everything” wastes it. A good question shows curiosity, and it also helps you decide whether you want the job.
Pick questions that fit the person in front of you. Group them by purpose, and choose one or two from each group.
What should you ask about the role itself?
These show you are thinking about doing the work well.
- “What would success look like in the first six months?” It tells you what they expect, and it lets you speak to those goals later.
- “What does a typical week look like in this role?” The real job is often different from the advert.
- “What is the biggest challenge the person in this role will face?” An honest answer reveals pressure points, and you can say how you would help.
- “What happened to the last person in this role?” Ask gently, for example “Is this a new position or a replacement?” It tells you about growth or turnover.
What should you ask about the team and manager?
You will spend most of your time with these people.
- “How would you describe the team’s working style?” Look for words like “collaborative” or “independent” and check they suit you.
- “How does the team give feedback?” You learn how often you will get support, and how.
- “What do you enjoy most about working here?” People answer this honestly, and the pause tells you plenty.
- “How do you like to manage?” Useful when you are speaking to the hiring manager.
What should you ask about growth?
- “How do people usually develop in this role?” It shows ambition without sounding impatient.
- “Is there training or support for learning new skills?” Good for early-career candidates.
- “Where have people in this role gone next?” A clear answer suggests a real path.
What should you ask about the process?
Always ask one question about next steps. It is practical and nobody minds it.
- “What are the next steps, and when should I expect to hear?” Write the answer down. It tells you when to follow up, as covered in our guide on how long it takes to hear back.
- “Is there anything about my background you would like me to clarify?” This gives you a chance to deal with a doubt before they close the file.
What can you ask a recruiter?
Recruiters know the process better than the role, so ask about that.
- “How many stages are there, and who will I meet?”
- “What is the pay range for this role?” Employers do not always list it, and a recruiter will often share it.
- “What is the timeline for a decision?”
- “What does the hiring manager value most?”
- “Is the role office-based, hybrid or remote, and is that flexible?”
A recruiter is on your side if you are the right fit. Treat them as a source of useful context.
What should you ask in an internship interview?
Interns and graduates often feel they have nothing to ask. These work well.
- “What would I be working on in the first few weeks?”
- “Who would I be working with day to day?”
- “How do interns get feedback?”
- “What do people who do well on this programme have in common?”
- “Is there a route to a permanent role afterwards?” Ask it plainly. Employers expect it.
These show enthusiasm and help you judge whether you will actually learn something.
Which questions should you avoid?
- Anything the company website or job advert answers. It suggests you did not prepare.
- “What does your company do?”
- Pay, holiday or benefits as your very first question, if the conversation has not reached them.
- Anything that sounds like you are looking for a reason to leave early.
- Negative comments about your current employer.
If pay or flexibility matter to you, ask them calmly and later, when the employer has shown interest. Our guide on negotiating salary after a job offer explains when that conversation fits.
How do you make your questions sound natural?
Do some research first, then link your question to something you learned. “I read that you are expanding the [team]. How does that change what this role will do?” works far better than a generic question.
Prepare more questions than you need. Cross off the ones answered along the way. Keep a notebook or phone notes handy, and say, “I have a few questions written down, if that is all right.”
Finally, listen to the answers. If one is vague or worrying, ask a follow-up. An interview goes both ways, and your questions are how you find out whether this is the right place for you.