Interviews · 5 min read
What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Ask about the work, the team and what success looks like. Two or three good questions also tell you whether you want the job.
The short answer
Ask two or three questions that help you decide whether you want the job and show you've thought about the work. Good ones: 'What would success look like in the first six months?', 'What's the biggest challenge the team is facing right now?', and 'How has this role changed in the last year?' Save pay and holiday questions for the offer stage unless they ask. Avoid questions the post or website already answers.
On this page 4 sections
Questions about the work
- What would success look like in the first six months?
- What does a typical week look like?
- What's the biggest problem this role will help solve?
Questions about the team
- How does the team decide what to work on?
- How do you give feedback?
- Why is the role open?
Questions to save or skip
- Anything answered on the post or careers page.
- Holiday, perks and pay, before an offer, unless they raise it.
- 'Did I get the job?'
OffLadder CV, our free Chrome extension, hands any job post to Laddie for a five-question mock interview for that role, weighted to the parts you're least sure of. You answer in your own words.
Questions people ask
- Is it bad to have no questions?
- It can read as low interest. Prepare at least three, because some will be answered during the interview.
- Can I ask about salary in the first interview?
- If they raise it, yes. Otherwise it's usually better at the offer stage, or with the recruiter rather than the hiring manager.
- Should I ask about next steps?
- Yes, as your last question: 'What are the next steps, and when should I expect to hear?' It also tells you when to follow up.
- Can I ask about remote or hybrid work?
- Yes, if the post doesn't say. Ask neutrally: 'How does the team split time between office and home?'
- What's a question that impresses interviewers?
- One that shows you listened. 'You mentioned the team is moving to a new system. How will that change this role?' beats a generic question.
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