Answer to Interview Question: "Do You Have Any Questions?"

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated January 27, 2023

Published August 17, 2021

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Hiring managers typically end an interview with an open-ended question, such as, "Do you have any questions for me?" Although it's easy to pass on the opportunity to ask anything further, answering this question gives you an insight into the role, company culture, and your plan for growth within the organization. Asking questions informs the hiring manager you're invested in the company and are serious about the role. In this article, we explain why asking questions in an interview is important, how to prepare questions for an interview, what to include in your questions, and examples of questions you can ask your interviewer.

Why asking questions is important

Asking questions in an interview is important for a number of reasons, including:

Allows you to show your interests

Asking questions that give you more detail on the role or the organization signals to the hiring manager that you're serious and interested, and care about being part of this company. The questions you ask can give the hiring manager more context on your interests and priorities. Aligning your questions and interests with the job requirements is a great way to show the hiring manager you are qualified for the role.

Gives you a chance to leave a strong final impression

One of the most important goals of an interview is for you to make an impression on the hiring manager. Ending the interview with thoughtful questions about the role maximizes the chance a hiring manager sees you as qualified. This is particularly important at the end of an interview, as these questions you ask are usually the final interaction you'll have with the hiring manager. Aligning your interests with the organization also helps to inform the hiring manager that you share the same values as the company's culture.

How to prepare for the interview question, "Do you have any questions?"

Here is what you need to consider when you're preparing your questions:

1. Research and understand the company

When you research the company and the job description, you're assessing the priorities of the organization. Consider reviewing the company's website, social media, white papers, and any news articles that mention them. Learn who their competitors are, their mission statement, and the qualities they're looking for in a candidate. Make note of any frequent words and listed attributes that the hiring manager may prioritize. To help you realize their importance, identify the order they occur in the list.

2. Write and categorize your questions

During the interview, the hiring manager may ask questions you were curious about before speaking to them. To prepare for this scenario, write a list of 10 potential questions that you want to ask during the interview. Separate these questions into equal sub-groups about the job, the company, and anything you found interesting in your research on the organization. At the end of the interview, determine if any of your questions remain unanswered and if so, ask two to three questions from your list. Ideally, ask up to three questions to help ensure they are thoughtful and concise.

3. Rehearse and practice your questions out loud

It is important to practice and be comfortable asking your questions. Take some time to ask your questions in front of a mirror or to friends and family members to get feedback. By rehearsing, you'll become confident and authentic with your delivery.

What to include in your questions

Questions that you ask a hiring manager during an interview must be relevant to the role, the company, your skills, or your next steps, including:

Asking questions about the job

Consider asking questions about the role that wasn't directly covered in the interview. These could be questions that explore daily activities, growth in the role, and the changing demands of the role with new technology. Ask questions to learn more details about the job description and clarify expectations of the position.

Asking questions about the company

When you ask questions about the company, you establish your desire to be a part of the organization by getting an insight into the company's values and culture. Ask the hiring manager what they like about the role, how they would describe the company's culture, where they plan to be in the next three to five years, and what challenges they recently overcame. Asking a hiring manager to be open and honest about the organization gives you a chance to see if working there is suitable for your goals.

Asking about your qualifications

If the hiring manager hasn't covered an area of your resume you'd like to discuss, consider asking a question so that you can expand on the topic. Ask what they're looking for in a candidate or if they have any concerns or reservations about your skills. If they do, this is an excellent opportunity to re-align your skills and experience with the role.

Asking about research on the company

Consider asking something unique about the company that you found during your research. You could ask them what distinguishes them from their competitor, what it took for the company to win their industry award, or how their mission statement has helped influence their work. Asking questions that are unique helps to make a good impression on the hiring manager.

Asking about the next steps

End the interview with a question about your next steps and when you can expect to hear about their decision. This informs the hiring manager you're eager to start in the position. Their answer can also give you details about how many candidates are being considered and how to prepare for the next interview.

Examples of questions to ask

Here are a few examples of questions to ask an interviewer at the end of an interview:

Questions about the job

Ask questions that find out more details about your work routine, growth, change, and adaptation to the expectations of the role. For example:

"What would my typical day look like in this position?"
"What are my short-term goals in this position, and how are they different from my long-term goals?"
"How has this role changed since the company started?"
"Is there any new technology or content I should familiarize myself with before starting this role?"

Questions about the company

Ask questions that help you learn about a career within the organization, how the departments work together, company culture, and organization priorities. For example:

"What does my career path look like at the company when starting in this position?"
"Which team or department would I be in contact with most often?"
"What do you like best about working here?"
"What does the company want to achieve in the next three to five years?"

Questions about your qualifications

Ask questions that explore important characteristics of the role, how success is measured, concerns about qualifications, and anything left ambiguous. For example:

"What are the most important characteristics of someone who succeeded in this role?"
"If I were in this role, what key performance indicators would I be measured by?"
"Do you have any concerns with my level of experience or my ability to match the requirements of the role?"
"Is there anything I was unclear about?"

Questions about your research

Ask questions that show your research into the company's competitors, industry expertise, mission statement, and initiatives for the future. For example:

"What makes you more qualified than your competitor?"
"How did the team work together to win your industry award?"
"How has your mission statement helped inform the decisions this company has made?"
"Why did you choose your corporate social responsibility initiatives, and how important are these goals for the company going forward?"

Questions about the next steps

Ask questions that end with a proactive interest in what to expect in the role and what the next steps are for you. For example:

"Can you elaborate on what my first 90 days would look like in this role?"
"What steps can I take to add to the company culture?"
"Thank you for explaining what the role is. What are the next steps in the interview process?"
"I have really enjoyed learning about this role and the company. When can I expect to hear about a decision?"