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“Do you have any questions for us?” What to ask each interviewer
What to ask depends on who’s across the table. The same question doesn’t work for everyone.
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What interviewers are really checking: curiosity, preparation and fit.
How to build a good question
Show you understand the role. Start at a high level.
Go one level deeper. Ask about the work itself, not the perks.
Link it to your career. Show where you want to grow.
Ask about support. How will they help you succeed?
Match the question to the person
Ask two or three, not ten.
Who you’re talking to | Ask about |
Hiring manager (your future boss) | The work itself and what good looks like |
HR | Training, team allocation and next steps |
Future teammate | A normal week and how the team works |
Senior leader | Where the business is going |
Short on time? Look them up, ask about the work, listen for one detail, ask one follow-up.
Ask this, by interviewer
Hiring manager
They’ll judge how you’d do the job.
“What does a great first 90 days look like in this role?”
“What do the people who do well on your team have in common?”
“What’s the biggest thing the team is working on right now?”
HR
They’ll judge fit and readiness.
“How does training work for new joiners in the first few months?”
“How are freshers allocated to teams or projects?”
“What are the next steps, and what does the timeline look like?”
Future teammate
They’ll judge if they’d want to work with you.
“What does a normal week look like for you?”
“What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you joined?”
“How does the team help each other when things get busy?”
Senior leader
They’ll judge how you think.
“Where do you see the business going in the next two or three years?”
“A year from now, what would make you say this was a great hire?”
“You moved from [their last role] to this. What made you switch?”
Make it personal: spend ten minutes on their LinkedIn before the interview. A question about their own career choice is the one they remember after you leave.
Don’t say this. Ask this instead.
The wrong way | Ask this instead |
“No, I’m good.” Sounds like you’re not curious. | “What’s one quality you’ve seen in people who succeed here?” |
“What does your company do?” Shows you didn’t prepare. | “I read about [recent project or launch]. How does this team fit into that?” |
“What’s the salary?” (in a campus round) The CTC is already on the notice. Save pay for the final stage. | “What does growth look like for someone who does this role well?” |
“How much leave do I get?” “Will I have to work late?” Puts the focus on leaving, not the work. | “What does a typical week look like for the team?” |
“How soon can I get promoted?” Sounds like the title matters more than the job. | “What does success look like in this role after six months?” |
“Did I get it?” “How did I do?” Puts the interviewer on the spot. | “What are the next steps, and when should I expect to hear back?” |
Asking what’s on their website. Wastes your best minute. | Ask about something they said earlier in the interview. |
The follow-up move
Pick one thing they said and go one level deeper. “You mentioned the team is growing. What does that mean for someone joining now?” It proves you were listening.
Before you walk in
Find out who’s interviewing you
Write four or five questions, and ask the best two or three
Skip anything that’s on their website
Carry your questions written down
Never say “no questions”
About DefineCareer
Free career guidance by Sagar Gulati, Managing Partner at a Global MNC
Practical videos, cheat sheets and workshops on picking the right job, cracking interviews and growing after you join. Built from 10 years in the US and 1,000+ interviews, and taught at 180+ colleges.
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