Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview: 38 Smart Picks

How many questions should you ask at the end of an interview?

Plan to ask two to four questions in a typical 30 to 60 minute interview. Bring a list of eight to ten, because some will get answered during the conversation.

Watch the clock. If the interviewer says you have five minutes left, ask your single best question and save the rest for the next round.

Never answer “Do you have any questions for me?” with “No, I think you covered everything.” If your list really did get covered, ask a follow-up on something they said:

“You mentioned the team is switching to a new scheduling system next quarter. How is that rollout going so far?”

What are the best questions to ask in an interview?

If you only prepare five, prepare these. Each one gets you useful information and shows you are thinking past the offer.

1. “What would success look like in this role after the first 90 days?” You learn the real priorities, and you can respond with how you would meet them.
2. “What’s the biggest challenge the person in this role will face?” It shows you aren’t scared of the hard parts, and it tells you what you’re signing up for.
3. “How do you prefer to give feedback, and how often?” Your manager’s style shapes your day more than almost anything else.
4. “What do the strongest people on this team do differently?” You hear what the manager values, in their own words.
5. “Is there anything in my background that makes you hesitate about my fit?” It takes some nerve, but it gives you one last chance to clear up a concern before they decide.

These five are marked (Top 5) in the full list below.

Questions to ask about the role

1. What does a typical day or week look like in this job?
2. What’s the biggest challenge the person in this role will face? (Top 5)
3. Why is this position open right now?
4. Which parts of the job description matter most in practice, and which matter less?
5. What tools or software would I use every day?
6. How has this role changed over the last year or two?

Questions about how success is measured

1. What would success look like in this role after the first 90 days? (Top 5)
2. How will my performance be measured, and how often is it reviewed?
3. What goals is the team working toward this year?
4. What did the last person in this role do well, and what would you like done differently?
5. What’s one problem you’d want me to solve in my first six months?

Questions to ask about the team

1. Who would I work with most closely, inside and outside the team?
2. How big is the team, and how is the work divided?
3. What do the strongest people on this team do differently? (Top 5)
4. How does the team handle disagreements about priorities?
5. How long have most people on the team been here?

Questions about the manager’s style

1. How do you prefer to give feedback, and how often? (Top 5)
2. How do you like to communicate day to day: chat, email, or quick check-ins?
3. How much freedom does someone in this role have to make decisions?
4. What’s something you’re working on as a manager right now?
5. How do you support someone who is struggling to hit a goal?

Questions about growth and training

1. What does onboarding look like for the first few weeks?
2. Where have people in this role moved on to inside the company?
3. Does the company support certifications, courses, or tuition?
4. What skills would make someone in this role ready for the next level?
5. How are promotions decided here?

Questions to ask about culture

1. How does a normal week compare with a busy one here?
2. What’s something the company does well that candidates rarely hear about?
3. How does the team recognize good work?
4. What has kept you at this company?
5. How has the company changed since you joined?

Questions about next steps

1. Is there anything in my background that makes you hesitate about my fit? (Top 5)
2. What are the next steps in the hiring process?
3. When do you expect to make a decision?
4. Is there anything else I can send you, like references or work samples?

What are some unique questions to ask an employer?

Most candidates ask about culture and next steps. These three stand out because they invite a real, thoughtful answer:

1. “If you could change one thing about this role, what would it be?”
2. “What’s a recent decision the team made that you were proud of?”
3. “If I got the job, what would you want me to read or learn before day one?”

The last one works especially well near the end. It signals that you’re ready to start, and the answer gives you something concrete to mention in your thank-you email.

Which questions should you ask at each interview stage?

The right questions depend on who is across the table. A recruiter can’t tell you much about daily work, and a senior leader may not know the onboarding schedule.

Phone screen with a recruiter

Recruiters know the process and logistics, so keep it practical. Our phone interview tips cover the rest of the call.

• Why is this position open?
• What does the rest of the hiring process look like?
• What pay range is budgeted for this role? (Ask only if the posting didn’t list one.)
• What does the hiring manager care about most in this hire?

Hiring manager interview

This is the person you would report to. Focus on the work and the working relationship.

• What would success look like after 90 days?
• How do you prefer to give feedback?
• What’s the biggest challenge the person in this role will face?
• What do the strongest people on your team do differently?

HR interview

HR staff can speak to policies, benefits, and company-wide programs.

• What does onboarding look like?
• Does the company support training or certifications?
• How are performance reviews structured?
• How would you describe the culture across different departments?

Final round

A final round often includes a senior leader or a panel. Ask bigger-picture questions, then close with a clear ask about timing.

• What is the company focused on this year, and how does this team contribute?
• How has the company changed since you joined?
• Is there anything in my background that makes you hesitate about my fit?
• When do you expect to make a decision?

With a panel, direct one question to each person if time allows. It keeps everyone engaged and gives you a read on how they work together.

What questions should you avoid asking in an interview?

Also skip questions the job posting already answers. Asking whether the role is remote when the posting says on-site tells the interviewer you skimmed it.

What questions can you ask after an interview?

Once the interview is over, keep follow-up questions to logistics. In your thank-you email, it’s fine to ask about the timeline if you didn’t get one in the room.

“Thank you again for meeting with me today. I enjoyed hearing about the team’s plans for the new scheduling system. If it’s helpful, I’m happy to send the training guide I mentioned. Could you share when you expect to make a decision?”

If the date they gave you passes, one short, polite check-in email is enough. If an offer arrives and the role isn’t right, here’s how to decline a job offer without burning the bridge.

How do you prepare your questions before the interview?

1. Read the job posting and the company’s website, and write down two things you’re curious about.
2. Pick your top five from the lists above and adjust the wording to sound like you.
3. Write them in your notebook so you can glance at them. Our what to bring to an interview checklist covers the rest of your bag.
4. Practice asking them out loud once or twice, so they come out naturally.

Questions are only the last few minutes. Most of the interview is spent answering, so prepare a strong response to why should we hire you and a few stories using the STAR method for behavioral questions.