3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews

3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews

3 Types Of Questions You Should Ask At The End Of Job Interviews

There are three types of questions I teach all of my career coaching clients to ask when they are in an interview. These three questions are especially important when you’re in those final stage interviews with higher-ups. If you ask these critical questions, you are going to be seen as more intelligent, more engaging, and the candidate who will give them the return on the investment they’re looking for if they hire you.

At the end of your next job interview, make sure you ask the following three questions so you can stand out as the best candidate for the job.

1. A Connection Question

When you get to the end of the interview and the hiring manager says, “Do you have any questions?” the first type of question you want to ask is a connection question. This type of question allows you to ask them about their experience at the company. Here are some examples:

  • How did you get your job here?
  • What do you like most about working here?
  • What’s the most impactful part of your job?

I particularly like the connection question around how they ended up in their job and what they like most about it because it gives the hiring manager a chance to talk about their own professional journey and people enjoy sharing that.

2. A Question About The Company’s Challenges

Man asks about the company in a job interview

The second type of question you want to ask should be about the company’s difficulties and challenges. Here are some examples:

  • What is the greatest challenge your department will face this year?
  • What do you think is the biggest challenge the company will face this year?

Then, you end the question with this:

  • And how will the role that I am interviewing for help overcome that challenge?
  • And how would the job I’d be doing positively impact overcoming that challenge?

By asking this type of question, you’re saying, “I get it. You’re hiring me to solve problems and alleviate pain. So tell me about the big challenges.” In fact, I’ve even coached people to say:

  • Can you tell me the one thing that’s keeping you up at night with respect to the business? And how will the job that I’m doing help with that?

No matter how you phrase it, this type of question lets the hiring manager vent and talk about what concerns them, and it also gives you the framework of what you would need to do in order to succeed in the role.

3. A Question About Next Steps In the Process

Woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before a job interview

The third and final type of question that is so important to ask in a job interview is about the next steps in the process. Here are some examples:

  • Can you tell me what the next steps in this hiring process process are?
  • Can you tell me what I can expect going forward in this hiring process?
  • Can you tell me how you feel about me as a candidate for this role? And is there anything else you feel I could provide for you that would help me stand out? Because I’m really interested in the job.

This closing question is all about you getting to the bottom of what to expect (managing your own expectations), and the hiring manager should be able to frame that out for you.

I’ve given you a few different examples of how to ask these questions because everyone has to find their own voice. So, at the end of your next job interview, remember to ask these three types of questions (we’ll call them the three Cs), and ask them in a way that feels right to you:

  1. Connection question
  2. Challenge question
  3. Closing question

When you ask these questions consistently, you’re going to see much better results from your interviews. I guarantee it.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

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7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview

7 Essential Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview

Asking questions in your job interview not only makes you stand out in positive ways. It also helps you find out things you need to know (during the interview and before you take the job).

Asking these seven questions in your job interview will put you miles ahead of your competition and give you a better shot at the job:

1. If Your Ideal Candidate Walked Through The Door Right Now, What Qualities, Skills, Or Experience Would They Have?

Man listens to an interview question

Why would you ask a question like this and potentially highlight how you’re not perfect for the job? It’s because there is no such thing as the ideal candidate. They can wish all they want, but they probably won’t get it.

Where you benefit from this question is that, when you hear what’s important to them, you can then talk about those or similar things in your own experience—which elevates you as a candidate. It’s almost like getting a cheat sheet for your interview answers.

2. Was The Last Person In This Role Successful? Why Or Why Not?

Woman asks a job candidate an interview question

Knowing the story of what happened to the last person in this job is important.

First, it will help you better answer their questions. If the last person didn’t do well, you can talk about how you would do it differently. If the last person did spectacularly well and got promoted, you know what you need to do to be considered successful. Second, you may even discover a few clues that will help you determine if you want to take this job or not.

3. What Will A Typical Day Look Like In This Job?

Man answers a question in his job interview

Their answer to this will help you determine everyday tasks as well as company culture. Is this somewhere you can fit in and be successful?

4. What Are The Biggest Challenges Going To Be For The Person In This Position?

Woman talks during a job interview

When they talk to you about their biggest challenges, you’ll know exactly what stories to tell about how you have tackled (and conquered) similar challenges. You will be showing them that you are a great fit for this job.

5. What Do You Love Most About Working Here?

Hiring managers smile while interviewing a job candidate

Asking a positive question like this one will help you get a better idea of the employer and the kind of experience you could expect to have if you were hired, helping you figure out whether the job is a good fit for you or not. This will also be an opportunity for you to connect with your interviewer and stand out in the hiring process.

6. How Will I Measure My Performance In This Role?

Hiring manager asks a job candidate an interview question

By phrasing the question this way, you’re taking full ownership of your work, and the employer will notice that. You are sending the message that you will be accountable for your actions.

Plus, if they can’t explain how you’ll be able to measure your own performance to make sure you’re having an impact, that’s a huge red flag. This question will help you weed out the positions where there’s little opportunity to develop your skills, receive promotions, and earn raises.

7. What’s The Next Step In This Process?

Absolutely never, ever leave an interview without knowing what and when the next step is. Employers expect you to ask about it. If you don’t they may assume that you’re not that interested in the job. So, ask it to let them know you’re interested and to give yourself some peace of mind about what to expect.

Find out more questions to ask, how to research the company, the best interview answers, and cutting-edge interview tips in our Free Job Interview Prep Kit.

Always be sure to prepare a few questions to ask the hiring manager before the big day arrives. Write them down if you have to, and review them before the job interview starts. Good luck!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.