Questions to Ask a Company During the Interview

Being unprepared to ask questions during a job interview is a major mistake.

The Virginia Tech (VT) Career Services tells pending graduates that job interviews work both ways. You should be prepared to ask questions of a potential employer as well as answer them. Having no questions when given the opportunity to ask them conveys that you either do not care, have not done your homework or are not competent. Use the opportunity to ask questions to decide whether the company is a good fit for you.

What Are the Main Values That Drive Your Company?

Cultural fit is important to establish in a job interview, and national management consultant Pam Pohly advises that you ask a question about the employer's values and culture. Getting into a job that is a cultural match for you may seem less important than other factors (such as money) in the beginning, but long-term happiness and sustainability of a job depends on your sense of values alignment with your employer.

What Are the Day-to-Day Responsibilities of This Job?

VT Career Services notes this as a good question to ask in an interview. Questions about your basic duties in a job are fairly common in interviews. You want to understand what you would be asked to do on a regular basis in the job that you are going to be working eight hours a day or longer. This question also shows the employer that you are concerned about getting a job that is a good match for your interests and abilities.

Where Will Your Company Be in Five Years?

Career Builder, among others, advises you to ask some type of forward-looking question related to the company's vision or goals. You are likely to get asked this question about yourself. It is fair for you to want to understand where your potential employer is headed. This helps you make sure the employer's vision aligns with yours and that the company will be viable going forward. Asking this question also shows your interest in committing to an employer.

What Problems or Challenges Do You Currently Face?

Pohly suggests this question to interview candidates. You can ask this question regarding the hiring department or the company as a whole, depending on the size of the organization. The interviewer's response could signal any red flags if major issues are present. You should also be leery if the interviewer does not have an answer for you. If asked appropriately, this question sends the message that you are interested in helping the company grow.

References

• Virginia Tech Career Services: Questions to Ask Employers During Interviews
• Pam Pohly's Net Guide: Questions You Should Ask in Your Job Interview
• Career Builder: The Best Questions to Ask in the Interview