What to Ask When Youre In The Interviewers Seat

You received a call from an employer and are scheduled for an interview at an exciting company. Youre preparing answers to the questions you think youll be asked and are ready to put your best foot forward. But have you prepared for the trickiest question that could be asked of you?

It wont be about a previous internship or courses youve taken at college. It will be: ""Do you have any questions for me?""

Your response to this question is just as important as any other. But, what if you cant think of any? What do you say? Heres our checklist of a few to keep in mind when the tables get turned and youre in the interviewer seat:

What are the most challenging aspects of the position? The answer to this question will give you real insight into the nuts and bolts of the open position.

It will also provide a great opportunity to give a follow-up answer on how you are the perfect candidate to tackle anything that comes your way.

What are the most immediate projects for this position? Youll get a good idea of what Day 1 will look like if you take this internship or job.

Youll also send the message that youre thinking ahead to rolling up your sleeves and jumping in.


Whats the companys philosophy on continuing education and/or ongoing training? Industries advance, best practices evolve and professional responsibilities change.

The answer to this question will show you how the organization values keeping up with the times. Are there company-wide initiatives or are people expected to learn on their career? (And p.s. regardless of this answer, we always suggest staying up to date on your chosen area.)

Specific questions about the history of the company: If youre interviewing at a start-up or smaller company, this is your chance to hear more about the companys background.

Ideally, you want to find an internship or part-time job at a place youre excited about so hearing some more history gives you a chance to really evaluate if the company is the right fit for you.

What are the next steps in your interview process? This is a good question to end with. It will set your expectations about the approximate timetable and can also provide insight as to what kind of preparation you need to do next.

Asking the right questions during an interview can be just as important as answering them. If you use the opportunity wisely, youll get both a better perspective on the company while sending the clear signal that youre interested in becoming a member of the team.

SHARE THIS