The interview process is a two-way street. The hiring manager is trying to figure out if you’re a good fit for the role, and you’re trying to figure out if the job and company are a good fit for you. While the interviewer asks most of the questions, at the very end, you’re often in the driver’s seat and get a chance to ask a few questions of your own.
But what are the right (and wrong) questions to ask a hiring manager?
This guide will help you understand why you should ask hiring managers questions at the end of your interview, which questions you should consider asking, and what to do if you don’t have a chance to ask any questions:
Why You Should Ask the Hiring Manager Questions
You might be concerned that asking the hiring manager questions is a little forward. After all, they’re interviewing you for a job opening. But it’s critical to remember that the interview is also about figuring out if you’d be happy at that company doing that job! Though you can never truly know how you’ll feel about the role until you’re in it, the interview helps you form an impression of what it will probably be like to work there.
And it’s equally crucial to understand that the hiring manager expects you to ask questions. “If a candidate does not ask questions, it conveys to an employer that the candidate is not truly interested in the position or did not do their research prior to the interview,” says Jamie Guilford, associate director of employer relations at York College of Pennsylvania. “Asking questions demonstrates that you want to learn and know more about the opportunity.”
Not asking the hiring manager any questions could mean if it comes down to you and one other candidate, the person who asked questions is more likely to get the job.
How to Prepare Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager
Your interview prep should include composing several questions to ask the hiring manager. While you’ll take notes during the interview and can create some questions on the fly, it’s best to have a few questions ready to go. This demonstrates that you’re prepared and gave some thought as to what you want to ask.
What’s more, preparing questions in advance helps you track which ones were answered and which were not. This prevents you from asking questions the interviewer already addressed.
However, it’s important to ask thoughtful questions that aren’t easily answered by the first page of search results.
“Applicants should do research that digs deeper than just a five-minute scan of a company’s website. Know the mission statement, Google the company to see what’s being promoted in newsfeeds, look up your interviewer(s) and other employees at the company on LinkedIn to get a sense of their backgrounds and experience,” advises Guilford. “Focus on asking questions that you can’t find answers to online.”
Asking questions that don’t have readily available answers demonstrates your deep interest in the job and that you’re taking the interview (and hiring manager’s time) seriously.
15 Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager
While you may have a zillion questions to ask the hiring manager, you probably won’t be able to ask them all. So, focus on the questions that can help you understand what it’s like to work at that company, in that role, and (possibly) for that person. You may want to ask questions about the company’s culture, how your boss will figure out how well you’re performing in the role, or what the opportunities for advancement are.
While your specific questions depend on what you’re looking for in your next job, here are some sample questions to get you started.
- Why is the position open?
- Why did the last person who held the job leave?
- Thinking about people who’ve done this work before, how do the people who are good in the role differ from those who are great in it?
- What will success in the position look like? How will you measure my performance?
- What are some of the biggest challenges I would face?
- What are some of the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?
- What do you like and dislike about working for the company?
- What would you expect me to accomplish in the first 90 days? Six months?
- How does this role support the company’s overall mission?
- Can you describe the company’s culture?
- I know X, Y, and Z are your competitors, but which one do you think is your top competitor and why?
- What is a typical day like?
- How has your role changed during your time here?
- How long do people typically stay in this role?
- Why did you decide to work here?
While these are fairly straightforward, some questions require careful phrasing to ensure you’re being respectful and still get a helpful answer. For example, if you’re looking for a company that prioritizes work-life balance, asking what a typical day is like is far more likely to result in an answer that helps you understand if people are encouraged to disconnect from work after 5:00 p.m. or if they’re expected to answer emails at all hours. Asking, “Do I have to work after hours?” will still get an answer, but could make it seem like you aren’t willing to pitch in when necessary.
What the Hiring Manager’s Answers Reveal
Just like your answers help an employer understand who you are as a candidate and potential employee, the interviewer’s answers to your questions help you understand what the company is like as a potential employer.
For example, asking what someone likes and dislikes about working at the company could give you some insight into how people feel about working there. If someone says they love everything and dislike nothing, that may be their truth. However, it could also be a red flag that this person isn’t being completely honest. Likewise, if the interviewer lists a bunch of things they hate and doesn’t like a single thing about the job, that’s another red flag.
Another crucial thing to listen for is how the hiring manager answers the question. If you ask how the company measures performance and the answer is, “I don’t know,” be cautious. If it’s an early phone interview, that particular person may not know the specifics. But if it’s your potential new boss and they don’t know, that’s a red flag.
Also, if the hiring manager struggles to answer your question, take note. For example, asking about the kind of professional development the company offers indicates you want to know how the company will support your career plans. If the hiring manager isn’t sure because they’re new, that’s one thing. But if the hiring manager has been there for years and isn’t sure, that could indicate the company lacks professional development opportunities.
Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Hiring Managers
Technically no question is off limits, but there are some questions you probably shouldn’t ask a hiring manager. Certain questions could make it look like you’re more interested in the perks and benefits than the actual job, others probably don’t have a place in an interview, and some make it look like you haven’t prepared for the interview at all.
The exception might be if something is an absolute deal-breaker for you. In that case, it’s better to get the answers early on so neither you nor the hiring manager is wasting time.
Here are some questions you should not ask a hiring manager:
- What does the company do?
- Are you going to check references?
- Do I have to take a drug test?
- What is your disciplinary policy like?
- I heard X rumor. What do you know about it?
You will notice that questions about salary, benefits, and perks do not appear on either list. While traditionally, job seekers have been advised not to ask about these topics during the interview, times are changing. More employers are sharing salary and other benefit information in the job posting and during the initial interview phases. While some of this is due to changes in laws, some of it is also due to a change in attitudes.
Questions around these (and other) topics might fall into the “deal breaker” category for you, and you may feel it’s necessary to ask them during the interview process. If that’s the case, ask away, as long as you phrase them appropriately. For example, if you want to know about the company’s paid parental leave policy, you could ask, “How does the company support new parents?” instead of asking, “How soon can I take vacation days?”
How Many Questions Can You Ask?
Most interviews have a time limit, meaning you may only get a chance to ask two or three questions. However, Guilford suggests preparing six to eight questions. Why?
It’s not uncommon for the interviewer to answer your prepared questions. But if you have six or more questions, it’s unlikely the interviewer will answer all of them, so you’ll probably have one or two questions ready to go when it’s your turn instead of having to flip through your notes to create new questions. Plus, it shows a level of preparedness and depth that could impress the hiring manager.
What if You Don’t Get a Chance to Ask Questions?
You may not have time at the end of the interview to ask any questions. If that happens, the one question you ask is, “What are the next steps?” so you know what to expect from the hiring manager and when you should follow up on the interview.
Then ask the interviewer if you can email them your questions. If they say no, that tells you a lot about the company culture. If they say yes, send them within 48 hours as part of your thank you note.
Get prepped for your next interview:
- How to Answer ‘What Are Your Reasons for Leaving a Job?’
- How to Use the STAR Method for Interview Questions
- How to Answer, ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
- What Is a ‘Good’ Weakness for a Job Interview?
This article originally appeared on Forage.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Got fired? How to handle your next interview
Some of the best career experts out there claim everyone should get fired at least once. There is some truth to this sentiment — while it can feel awful and terrifying, failure is the best way to learn. However, one of the hardest parts of the ordeal is explaining why you were fired to someone who may be your next boss.
Still, there is a way to do it without ruining your chances of ever finding work again. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of people who have been fired find new jobs, so don’t panic if you have to explain why you lost a job. To help you get through the process, tell your potential employer these five things.
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First things first — you do not have to reveal you were fired in your application. Your resume should simply contain your achievements and job duties, and your cover letter should explain why you’re a perfect fit for the job. Leave the truth for the interview — by revealing too early, you’ll make it too easy to throw your application into the trash.
Optimally, you’ll have the opportunity to explain what happened during an interview, which you’ll want to do in case they call your previous employer. You don’t want to look like you were hiding something.
Also, never lie. Chances are they will find out about the fact you’ve been fired, and lying on an application or during an interview is much worse than any problems that come up in your work history.
When discussing how you were fired, be professional. Take emotion out of the discussion. Tell them what happened, but only the most important details. Avoid getting bogged down, but also be forthcoming and clear about it.
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When discussing a time you were fired, do your best to put the situation in context. In other words, it’s your job to make it seem like it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Essentially, you are trying to explain your getting fired as uncomfortable and unfortunate rather than catastrophic. Put the hiring manager at ease by being concise when explaining what happened and not speaking ill of your previous company.
Mistakes happen (and sometimes you can keep your job when you’ve totally screwed up) so own it and shed light on how it benefitted you in the long run.
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Perhaps the most important thing you can do is convince a hiring manager getting fired was a learning experience. Show them you learned from the situation by discussing where you made mistakes and emphasize how you have grown by recognizing them.
In being so up front about the situation, an interviewer might ask if you think it was all your fault, or your old boss’s fault, or to what degree concerned parties were responsible. If they do, say you share at least some of the blame and leave it at that. The implication is that it isn’t actually all your fault, but you are willing to take responsibility for your role and want to avoid speaking negatively about your previous employer.
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Another angle to take, in addition to having learned so much, is that it actually worked out for the better. Talk about why it was time to move on — sometimes negative conditions accrue organically, and while you could have handled things better, your real mistake was not seeing the signs and leaving your old job sooner.
Furthermore, this is a great opportunity to add a little flattery. Be subtle, but talk about how better opportunities seem to be opening up. You can mention you’ve had callbacks from a few other companies, but also mention the best opportunity seems to be with the company at which you are interviewing.
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Finally, convince the interviewer getting fired was a one-time thing. The truth is, a lot of people have been fired and gone on to do wonderful work. It isn’t the end of the world — you’ve learned from your mistakes, and you’re looking forward and up. If the hiring manager sees this, that whole getting fired thing will hardly be an issue.
Bottomline, avoid overthinking things and realize you’re going to make a great addition to another company, even if it’s not this one. Keep your head up and keep trying, and follow the above advice. If you do, you’ll land somewhere great.
Trying to put a short stay at a job behind you? Here’s some advice on how to handle short stays or gaps on your resume — illustrated by the bigwigs fired from the Trump White House.
This article originally appeared on Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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