Toward the end of the interview, the interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask questions. You MUST ask a least three questions; if you are unprepared with questions this signals the interviewer that you aren’t interested in the position or the company. On the other hand, do not ask questions where the answer is obvious or readily available – or when the topic has already been thoroughly discussed in the interview. We recommend preparing 10-15 questions prior to the interview. This way, you will have way more than you need and will not have a problem asking at least three. Finally, never ask about salary and benefit issues until those subjects are raised by the employer.

Questions for HR professionals

• How do you describe the philosophy of the organization?
• How would you describe the work environment?
• Can you tell be about the people with whom I’ll be working most closely?
• If I were hired for the position, what would be my priorities during the first 6-12 months?
• What are my prospects for growth?
• If I do a good job, what is a logical next step?
• I have enjoyed the opportunity to interview you with you and your team and I am very interested in this opportunity. I feel my skills and experience would be a good match for this position. What is the next step in the interview process?

Questions for hiring managers

• What are the organization’s three most important goals?
• What are the department’s goals and how do they align with the company’s mission?
• Can you explain the company’s organizational structure?
• What do you see as the most important opportunities for improvement in the area I hope to join?
• What attracted you to working for this organization?
• What are the major concerns that need to be immediately addressed in this position?
• What is currently the most pressing business issue or challenge for the company/dept.?
• What is the organization’s plan for the next five years, and how does this department or division fit in?
• Will we be expanding or bringing on new products or new services that I should be aware of?
• What is the company’s policy on attending professional development activities such as seminars and workshops?

Questions about the hiring manager’s management style

• How would you describe your own management style and the type of employee who works well with you?
• What are the most important traits you look for in a direct report?
• What personal qualities or characteristics do you most value?

Questions about general business objectives

• What are the organization’s primary financial objectives and performance measures?
• What metrics are used to monitor the planning process as well as the results?
• What kinds of strategic planning systems, if any, are in place?
• Is the company more of an early adapter of technology or content to first let other companies work the bugs out and then implement a more mature version of the technology?
• How does this position contribute to the company’s goals, productivity or profits?

Questions for headhunters, recruiters and staffing agencies

• How did you find me?
• Are you dealing with the client’s HR people, or do you have direct contact with the hiring manager?
• When will I find out the name of the principal or client company?
• May I have a written job description?
• Where is the position located?
• Where is the company headquartered?
• To whom does the position report?
• Why is the position open?
• What can you tell me about the person who will be interviewing me?
• What is his or her position, title, management style?
• Who will make the final hiring decision?
• After you present my resume, when can I expect to hear from you regarding the status of this position?

Questions for private companies

• How is the company funded?
• Who are the investors?
• How are corporate decisions made?
• Has the company considered filing for an IPO (initial public offering?)
• Has the company been approached for a merger or acquisition?

Questions about information technology

• Do developers have little contact with the business unit or significant contact?
• What are the biggest technical challenges ahead for this department/company?

Source: “201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview” by John Kador