38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview: The Harvard Business Review Guide 

Preparing for the “Do You Have Any Questions?” Moment in an Interview:

1. Goals of Asking Questions:

   • Assess if the Job is Right for You: Ensure the role aligns with your career goals and interests.
   • Demonstrate You’re Right for the Job: Show that you’re thoughtful, engaged, and have done your homework.

2. Tips for Phrasing Questions:

   • Make Them Personal: Tailor questions to your specific situation.
     • Example: “What would a typical day for me in this role look like?” compared to “What would a typical day look like?”
   • Build Off the Conversation: Reference topics mentioned during the interview.
     • Example: “You mentioned a new project earlier. Could you tell me more about it?”

3. Types of Questions to Ask:

   Questions About the Job Itself:

   • Expectations and Performance:
     1. What are your expectations for me in this role?
     2. What’s the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 90 days?
     3. What’s the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed?
     4. What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
   • Responsibilities and Projects:
     1. What are the most immediate projects I would take on?
     2. How long before I will be meeting with clients, have responsibility for my own accounts, etc.?

   Questions About the Team:

   • Team Dynamics and Skills:
     1. What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
     2. What are the biggest challenges I might face in this position?
     3. Do you expect my main responsibilities in this position to change in the next six months or a year?
   • Interaction with Others:
     1. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
     2. Who will I work with most closely? What other departments will I interact with?
   • Direct Reports (if applicable):
     1. Can you tell me about my direct reports? What are their strengths and the team’s biggest challenges?

   Questions for the Hiring Manager:

   • Background and Preferences:
     1. How long have you been at the company?
     2. How long have you been a manager?
     3. What’s your favorite part of working here?

   Questions About the Company:

   • Goals and Values:
     1. What are the current goals that the company is focused on? How does this team support those goals?
     2. What gets you most excited about the company’s future?
     3. How would you describe the company’s values?
     4. How has the company changed over the last few years?
     5. What are the company’s plans for growth and development?

   Questions About Company Culture:

   • Onboarding and Traditions:
     1. How do you typically onboard employees?
     2. What do new employees typically find surprising after they start?
     3. Is there anything I should read before starting to help me have a shared understanding with my colleagues?
     4. What’s your favorite office tradition?
     5. What do you and the team usually do for lunch?
     6. Do you ever do joint events with other departments or teams?
     7. What’s different about working here than anywhere else you’ve worked?
     8. How has the company changed since you joined?

   Questions About Growth and Development:

   • Learning and Career Path:
     1. What learning and development opportunities will I have in this role?
     2. How does the team I’ll be part of continue to grow professionally?
     3. Are there examples of a career path beginning with this position?
     4. What are the common career paths in this department?
     5. How are promotions typically handled?
     6. Where have successful employees moved on to?

   Closing Questions:

   • Wrapping Up:
     1. What am I not asking you that I should?
     2. Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
     3. Is there anything I can clarify for you about my qualifications?
     4. What are the next steps in the hiring process?

4. Questions to Avoid:

   • Salary and Start Date: Too early to discuss these details.
   • Benefits and Policies: Such as health insurance and paid leave policies.
   • Job Offer Status: Asking directly if you have the job.

5. Final Tips:

   • Choose a Few Relevant Questions: Focus on what’s most important to you and what aligns with the conversation.
   • Be Mindful of Time: Prioritize questions if the interview is running long.
   • Follow Up Later: You can always ask more questions once you receive an offer.