4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (and Why)

4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (and Why) 4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (and Why) When searching for questions to ask in a job einstellungsgesprch, youll be confronted with lists of questions covering every possible aspect of the role, company, bewerberbewerbungsinterviewer, and more. Unfortunately, there arent typically opportunities in an interview rahmen to run through the top 50 questions to ask in an interview list you found online.Youll need to pick your spots and prioritize the questions youll ask.Below youre find4 important questions to ask in an interview4 things to remember about your interview questionsAdditional questions to ask the interviewer (if you have time)4 important questions to ask in an interview1) What about my resume caught your eye?This is a question that should come early in the conversation, perhaps even before the interviewer dives into their own questions. However you word it, asking them to describe the reasons they wanted to talk to you over other candidates helps set the course for the rest of the interview in two key ways.One, it gives them an opportunity to speak positively about you right off the bat. It might have been a few days since the interview was scheduled, so theyll be reminded why they were so excited about you in the first place. It might also give you a needed shot of confidence.Two, you might be surprised by the answer. Many candidates submit resumes with similar qualifications. For all you know, a piece of experience that youre taking for granted might be the reason youre there. For example, the hiring manager might have been attracted to an unrelated side hustle that demonstrates more entrepreneurial spirit than other candidates. Where you might have devalued that experience, you now know to play it up.2) How is the department structured?This elegantly rolls up what could be multiple questions about who youd report to, which positions youd collaborate with, and perhaps even the future of the department. It can also give you an idea of how much upward mobility you might have. Some interviewers will even draw up an organizational chart on the spot to show you how it all fits together.Asking this demonstrates that youre team-oriented and can see the bigger picture. If youre able to ask this early in the interview or during one of the early interview rounds, the answer will also help you contextualize your responsibilities and provide tailored answers throughout the process.3) What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this position?Asking what defines success for the position will give you a lot of valuable information to work with during the interview process. You learn which results they value most, which will help you tailor your responses to future questions.The interviewers response can also provide clues as to how numbers-driven or goal-oriented the company or department is, or how much pressure there will be to meet tangible targets. This is a questi on that will help you see how compatible your personal work style is with the departments.4) How is your mission statement reflected in the company culture?Do your research and see if you can find a mission statement or list of values for the company. If you cant find them, start by asking if there are formalized corporate values. Then, by asking how they tie into the culture, you can get a more specific answer about whether there is a cohesive company culture. You can also get an idea whether the company practices what they preach.Simply asking the interviewer to describe the company culture will often elicit a broad, phony response that doesnt really tell you anything. By adding constraints in the form of mission and values, you can get a more thoughtful, complete answer.4 things to remember about your interview questions1) Yes, definitely ask questionsAn interviewer will be worried if you dont have any questions about the role or company. Some of the benefits that come out of pro actively asking questions includeProving that you care and are excited about the opportunityDemonstrating your communication skills and ability to collaborateDetermining whether you actually want the job in the first placeCrafting better answers to future questions as the conversation continues2) Dont wait until the end of the interview to ask questionsAt the end of the interview, the interviewer will probably ask, Do you have any questions for me?Waiting until this moment to rattle off your questions is a missed opportunity. By waiting to ask questions, you pass up information that might help you provide better answers. Make the interview more of a conversation by distributing your questions throughout.3) Most interview processes last multiple roundsWhile there are always exceptions, the interview loops for most corporate roles require 2-3 conversations at a minimum. The more responsibility, competition, or salary attached to the role, the more interviews you can expect. Some inter views can last 5 or more rounds.You dont need to have all questions answered during your first interview.Getting ahead of yourself could put a bad taste in the interviewers mouth. For example, while the interviewer is still trying to figure out whether youre even capable of doing the job, dont ask about opportunities for advancement. That question would be more appropriate late in the process when youre nearing or already weighing a job offer.4) Keep an eye on timeAgain, rattling off dozens of prepared questions isnt realistic in most settings. If the interviewer scheduled half an hour for an initial phone call, or an hour for the first in-person meeting, be mindful of that. They have other things to do so pushing the meeting into overtime to ask your questions might stress them out or come off as annoying. Thats not the first impression you want.More job interview tips and examples3 things to do before a job interview10 common behavior interview questions and answersHow to answer, Tell me about yourself.How to answer, What are your salary expectations?Additional questions to ask in an interviewHave time for more interview questions? Be curious and ask what you actually want to know about the role and business. Here are some ideasAsk questions that show you did your research.Do some googling of the company before your interview. Did you find something amusing or interesting? Ask about it. Did you learn about their top competitors? Ask how the company differentiates themselves.Ask the interviewer about their career trajectory. Once youre interviewing with the hiring manager, asking them about the path they took to get there can help build rapport, reveal their ambitions, and show how advancement works within the company.What does a typical day look like for this position?Hopefully day-to-day responsibilities will be covered by the job listing and the conversation in general, but if you arent sure, askWhat is the biggest problem I could solve for you or the comp any?Showing that youre a problem-solver is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates. If you ask this, be prepared to demonstrate how you approach problems. The interviewer might want to hear your ideas.How do you describe what the company does to friends or family?If you understand the business, skip this. But there might be times when youre having a hard time understanding what the company actually does. For example, you might be applying for a non-technical role at a high-tech artificial intelligence company. Having the interviewer lay it out simply can help you provide better interview answers going forward.What are the next steps?Dont put pressure on the interviewer by asking when youll have your next conversation. Do ask about how theyre structuring their interview process and when you should expect to hear some news.