Questions to ask at the end of an interview: 26 good examples
"Do you have any questions for us?" is your last chance to make an impression, and to find out whether you actually want the job. Here are 26 questions worth asking, and what each one tells you.
Why your questions matter
Good questions show you've thought seriously about the role, and they turn the end of the interview into a conversation. They also help you decide: an interview is your chance to assess the team, the manager and the work, not just theirs to assess you.
How many questions should you ask?
Prepare five, expect to ask two or three. Some will be answered during the interview, so have spares. If time is short, ask your best one. Never say "No, I think you've covered everything" without at least one question.
Put your favourite first. If the interviewer only has time for one, make it the question that tells you most about the job, such as what success looks like in the first 90 days.
26 questions to ask the interviewer
The role
- “What would you need to see from me in the first 90 days to feel confident you'd made the right hire?”Shows you're thinking about delivering early, and tells you what really matters.
- “What's the most important problem you'd want the person in this role to solve first?”Gets past the job description to the real priority.
- “Why is this role open now?”Growth, a backfill or a restructure: each tells you something different.
- “What does a really good week look like in this role? And a hard one?”A realistic picture of the day-to-day, not just the highlights.
- “Which parts of this role do people tend to underestimate?”Invites honesty about the hidden difficulties.
Success and expectations
- “How will success in this role be measured, and who decides?”Makes expectations concrete and shows who you'd need to impress.
- “What separates someone who's good in this role from someone who's exceptional?”Signals ambition and tells you where the bar is.
- “Thinking of someone who's done really well here recently, what did they do differently?”Real examples beat general answers.
Team and manager
- “How would your team describe your management style?”A thoughtful way to learn how you'd be managed.
- “How does the team decide what to work on, and what happens when priorities clash?”Reveals how decisions really get made.
- “Who would I work with most closely outside the team, and how is that relationship today?”Shows you think about stakeholders, and flags any tension early.
- “How do you like to give feedback, and how often?”Shows you're open to feedback and want to improve.
- “What do the people who thrive in this team have in common?”Tells you what the team really values, beyond the job description.
Culture and ways of working
- “Can you tell me about a recent disagreement in the team and how it was resolved?”Says more about culture than any values statement.
- “What's something the team has changed its mind about in the last year?”Shows whether the team learns and adapts.
- “What do you enjoy most about working here, and what would you change if you could?”A personal question most interviewers enjoy answering honestly.
- “When a project doesn't go to plan, what usually happens next?”Tells you whether it's safe to take sensible risks.
Growth
- “Where have people in this role gone next?”The real career path, not the theoretical one.
- “What does progression look like here, and how are promotion decisions made?”Shows you're planning to stay and grow.
- “What would I have the chance to learn in my first year?”Frames development around the work, not just courses.
Company and direction
- “What's the biggest challenge the team or company is facing over the next year?”Shows strategic interest and tells you what you'd be walking into.
- “How does this team's work connect to the company's main priorities?”Checks the team's work is valued and visible.
- “What would make the next 12 months a real success for the team?”Lets you picture your contribution to that success.
Closing
- “Is there anything in my background that gives you pause? I'd welcome the chance to address it.”Brave, and it lets you deal with a concern before you leave the room.
- “Is there anything I haven't covered that would help you make your decision?”A last chance to fill a gap.
- “What are the next steps, and when should I expect to hear back?”Practical, and best saved for the very end.
Questions to avoid
- Anything answered on their website or already covered in the interview. It suggests you didn't prepare or weren't listening.
- Pay and holiday at a first interview, unless they raise it. It's usually better discussed with the recruiter or once you have an offer.
- "What does your company do?" Research it before you go in.
- Yes or no questions. Open questions start a conversation.
- Leading questions about yourself, such as "Did I get the job?". The closing question about any concerns does the same job more gracefully.
Tailor them to the job
The best questions refer to something specific: a line in the job advert, something the interviewer mentioned, or recent news about the company. "You mentioned the team is moving to a new platform next year. How will that change this role?" shows far more engagement than a generic question.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to have no questions at the end of an interview?
It can suggest you're not very interested or haven't prepared. Always have at least one or two ready, even if it's asking about next steps.
Can I ask about salary?
It's usually better to wait until the recruiter raises it or you have an offer, especially at a first interview. If the salary wasn't advertised, you can ask the recruiter before or after the interview instead.
Can I bring my questions written down?
Yes. Bringing a notebook with your questions shows you've prepared. Just don't read them out word for word without looking up.
What's the best question to ask at the end of an interview?
One that helps you understand success in the role, such as 'What would you need to see from me in the first 90 days to feel confident you'd made the right hire?' It shows you're thinking about delivering, and the answer tells you what matters most.