An important point that many people overlook is that the interview isn’t just an opportunity for the company to get to know you; it’s also a chance for you to learn about the company you might be working for. In other words, you’re interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing you.

While not asking meaningful questions might not always leave a bad impression, it can lead to dissatisfaction down the line. I’ve met many great candidates who accepted promising roles, only to become quickly disillusioned because the job turned out to be different from what they had envisioned.

Much like making any important investment, you need to do your due diligence before committing. Asking thoughtful questions during the interview is an essential part of this process.

Here are some examples of good interview questions to ask your interviewer or hiring manager:

1) What would a successful candidate accomplish in the first 90 days?
This question is valuable for understanding the hiring manager’s immediate needs. In most roles, the first 90 days can be challenging, and it’s often difficult to produce significant results on mission-critical projects. The answer to this question will also provide insight into how capable the hiring manager is at growing and developing the organization.

2) What’s one thing you wish you could change about your organization?
Does your hiring manager prioritize continuous growth and improvement? No organization is perfect, and the passions and focus of your hiring manager can be revealed through this question. If your hiring manager can’t think of anything they’d change, it could suggest they are disconnected from the day-to-day operations. This might not be an ideal situation for you as a new employee, and it’s certainly something you’d want to consider before accepting a job offer.

3) What keeps you up at night with respect to your business?
Companies cultivate their own unique culture, with certain elements contributing to their success within the industry. However, some aspects can also make the company vulnerable. A seasoned hiring manager should be able to provide valuable insight and give you a glimpse into the company’s culture.

4) Can you give me an example of how has your boss helped you in your career?
A manager’s success is not solely defined by how they manage their team, but also by their ability to influence peers and senior management. If your hiring manager struggles to provide specific examples of this, it could suggest significant communication and collaboration issues within the organization. It may also indicate potential weaknesses in the manager’s ability to work effectively with peers.

5) In your team, what quality or skill have you found to be the most reliable predictor of success for team members?
An executive I once worked closely with shared that managers often hire individuals who resemble themselves and tend to promote or reward those with similar qualities. The response to this question can reveal the traits your hiring manager values in themselves and give you insight into the qualities needed to succeed within the organization.

6) What problem needs to be solved that you are looking for candidates for the position I am interviewing for?
Every position within a company exists to address specific problems, whether short-term or long-term. Additionally, there’s a reason the company is seeking external candidates instead of promoting from within. It’s important to understand these reasons, as you’ll be joining and contributing to the same company culture once you come on board.

7) What do you think would be my biggest challenge in this role?
This question differs from asking about the specific accomplishments your hiring manager expects. Instead, it prompts the hiring manager to reflect on the organization’s culture and current situation, offering an assessment of some of the more challenging aspects of the role.

8) What makes you most excited about your job?
Financial compensation alone is never enough to retain someone at a company. Understanding what excites your hiring manager about their role can offer valuable insights into their priorities and what they’ll focus on maintaining within the organization. I once spoke with an HR manager who joked that, no matter what, there would always be free bottled water and soft drinks in the office. While said in jest, it highlighted a deeper truth: regardless of cost-cutting measures, certain perks would remain a priority.

9) Why did you choose to work for this company?
The response to this question can offer valuable insight and broaden your perspective. Your hiring manager, just like you, was once in a similar position. Whether or not they were happy at their previous company, something compelling drew them to this organization. That reason might be something you hadn’t considered before. Additionally, your hiring manager can share whether their initial impression of the company was accurate once they started working there.

10) What do you believe your organization’s advantage is over the competitors?
Whether a company is leading or trailing the industry, there must be something that gives people confidence in its potential. How in tune your hiring manager is with this can reveal valuable insights about the organization. It can also help you assess whether these factors align with what excites you.

We hope these questions have helped you refine your approach to the interview process. We’d love to hear about any interesting interview questions you’ve been asked and how they influenced your decision when choosing a position.