Impress Any Hiring Manager: The Best Interview Questions to Ask an Employer

What questions should you ask a hiring manager or recruiter? We’ve created this article with the list of interview questions that will better prepare you for your upcoming interview and help you land that job of your dreams.

Interview Questions To Ask About the Role 

You want to gather as much information as you can about the role you are trying to fill. Asking questions about your potential position will help you and the hiring manager determine whether the role aligns with your expectations.  One study found that 40% of respondents claimed that unclear roles and responsibilities affect operational efficiency.  

Thus, having a clear understanding of what is expected in a role is the first step in improving the efficiency of an organization as a whole.  Here is a list of questions you can ask to learn more about the position you are trying to fill: 

1. Are there any responsibilities in this role that weren’t mentioned in the job description? 
2. How much flexibility do I have in organizing and prioritizing my tasks? 
3. What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
4. What are the immediate priorities for someone in this position?
5. How is success measured for this role?
6. What are the expectations for the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
7. Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?

Questions To Ask Employers About the Team 

Team dynamics, communication and overall synergy will affect the productivity and quality of work in any given team. 

Research shows that communication is one of the main factors that determines the success of a team and teams that utilize social technologies for communication and collaboration increase the productivity of interactions by 20 to 25%. 

Here are some questions to ask your potential employer about the team you will be joining: 

1. Can you describe the structure of the team I will be working on? 
2. How do team members typically communicate? 
3. Does the team interact and collaborate with other teams within your organization? 
4. Have there been conflicts within the team and how do you typically resolve such issues? 
5. Are there any team traditions that foster a sense of community? 
6. Is this an old or a newly established team? 
7. How does the team celebrate achieving milestones and successes? 

Questions To Ask About the Work Culture 

46% of respondents in a study said that company culture is one of the most important factors when they are considering whether to join a company. 

If you’re the same way, you want to learn about the company culture as much as you can and see whether you’re a cultural fit: Do you agree and can you comply with how the company operates? 

Below are some questions to help you figure that out: 

1. What steps does the company take to support employees’ well-being?  
2. How does the organization approach work-life balance?  
3. Are there any programs or groups within the company for employee engagement? 
4. How does the company foster a sense of belonging among its employees?  
5. What is the typical level of interaction among colleagues from different departments?  
6. Does the company encourage employees to voice their ideas or feedback?  
7. How would you describe the overall atmosphere in the office or virtual workspace? 

Questions To Ask About the Company Values  

Given that a recent survey found that 55% of employees would leave their job if the company values didn’t align with their own, finding a place that shares your ideals is necessary for a long and fruitful career with a potential employer. 

Questions to ask about the company values include: 

1. What are the long-term goals the company is working towards? 
2. How does the company adapt to changes in the industry? 
3. Did the company update its mission and vision or make a pivot due to external factors? 
4. How has the company evolved over the past few years?
5. What are the company’s plans for growth and development?
6. How does the company stay ahead of industry trends and challenges?
7. Can you tell me about the company’s approach to innovation?
8. How does the company measure and celebrate success?

Questions To Ask About Management 

Only 29% of all employees find their leader to exhibit human leadership — a leadership style focused on empathy, open communication and understanding the needs and challenges of employees. This highlights how rare it is for managers to effectively connect with their team on a personal and professional level. 

Your supervisor or manager (and sometimes even the company’s executives) will drastically influence your day-to-day operations and overall happiness in the workplace. That said, you want to get as clear a picture of their leadership and management style as you possibly can. 

You can do so by asking the following questions: 

1. How does this team’s supervisor/manager provide feedback or criticism?
2. Is there a preferred method for giving/receiving feedback within the company?
3. How involved is leadership of the company in the team’s day-to-day operations?
4. What traits or qualities do successful employees in this department tend to share?
5. How does management address challenges, setbacks or conflict within the team?
6. Does management or leadership somehow recognize and reward individual contributions?
7. What’s the onboarding process like under this team’s management?

Questions To Ask About Growth Opportunities

86% of employees would change their job if their new company offered them more development opportunities. You want to join a company that will help you grow and evolve from your current professional state. Asking the below questions is the first step to recognizing whether your potential employer will help you achieve your professional goals and advance. 

Questions To Ask About Challenges   

Understanding what challenges your potential future team is facing — and how it tackles these — will be crucial to your overall happiness with your potential workplace. You want to find a team that approaches each situation with reason and carefully plans and executes solutions to any potential challenge that may arise. 

1. Are there any obstacles that the team is facing right now?
2. How does the team approach and manage competing deadlines or task prioritization?
3. Have there been any recent challenges that directly impacted this role?
4. How does the company tackle unexpected setbacks or changes?
5. What tools and resources are available to employees to help them overcome the challenges?
6. How does the company balance risk-taking with caution when solving problems?
7. Can you share an example of how the team successfully tackled a significant challenge?

Questions To Ask About Tools and Resources 

The success of your team hinges on its efficiency, and modern tools and resources can greatly help you achieve higher levels of efficiency. Try to find an employer that uses modern tools and software to improve their operations. That way, you will not only be at the forefront of the industry, but you will also gain valuable skills to help you in your future professional endeavors. 

1. What tools or software will I use regularly in this position?
2. Does the company provide training in the tools I’ll need to use?
3. How are cross-departmental resources shared or accessed?
4. Are there any internal systems in place to streamline workflows?
5. Does the company have dedicated IT support for employees?
6. Are there any provisions for remote work setups, such as stipends for equipment?
7. Can team members propose new tools or systems to improve productivity?

Questions To Ask About Performance Metrics 

Without understanding the specific objectives, you can’t possibly succeed in your role. At the same time, you want to have a clear picture of how the company supports employees toward achieving performance goals. 

Use the below questions to learn about your potential role’s performance metrics. 

1. What metrics are most important for measuring success in this role?
2. How frequently are performance goals discussed or adjusted?
3. Is there a formal process for giving employees constructive feedback?
4. How does the team ensure alignment between individual contributions and the overall project goals?
5. What happens if an employee is struggling to meet performance expectations?
6. How does the company track progress toward team and individual goals?
7. Are employees involved in setting their own performance targets?

Questions To Assess Company Culture

Understanding the company’s culture is crucial to determine if it’s the right fit for you. Consider asking:

• Can you describe the company’s approach to work-life balance?
• How does the company support professional development and career growth?
• Can you provide examples of how the company has embraced diversity and inclusion?
• What are the company’s core values, and how are they implemented in daily operations?
• How does the team celebrate success and handle challenges?

Questions About Team Dynamics

Gaining insight into the team you’ll be working with can help you understand the work environment better. Consider asking:

• Can you tell me about the team I will be working with?
• What are the team’s current goals and challenges?
• How does the team collaborate and communicate?
• What is the management style of the team leader?
• How does the team handle conflicts or disagreements?

Interview Questions To Ask Regarding Next Steps 

Once you’ve answered all of the above, make sure to demonstrate your interest in the position by asking about what comes next in the hiring process. You can achieve that by asking the following questions to the recruiter or hiring manager: 

1. What should I do/expect in the next stages of the hiring process?
2. Do you have a deadline for when you need to fill this position?
3. Is there additional information I should submit to support my application?
4. Will I meet more potential team members in the following rounds?
5. How soon would I be expected to start?
6. Are there any additional assessments associated with this role?
7. May I reach out for feedback following the decision regardless of the decision you make?

Tips To Keep in Mind When Asking Questions to an Interviewer 

Asking well-thought-out questions (like those we’ve listed above) could make a difference between you landing your dream job and returning home without finding employment. 

On the other hand, if you’d like to come up with your own unique interview questions to ask an employer, here are a few things you should remember.

• Have questions ready in advance: Before your interview date, take the time to research your potential position and the company to which you are applying. Doing so will help you stay focused during the interview. Of course, make sure your questions highlight your knowledge, curiosity and interest to learn how you can effectively contribute to the team. 
• Ask open-ended questions whenever possible: It’s best to ask questions that require detailed answers and cannot be dismissed with a simple “yes” or “no.” For example, you can ask the interviewer to describe some of the company’s processes. This will help you learn more about the role and encourage a dialogue with your potential employer. 
• Avoid questions that have answers readily available online: Make sure your questions cannot be easily answered by looking at the company’s website, job description or recent news. Instead, inquire about specifics that show your engagement, such as team goals or how the company handles challenges unique to the role. 
• Tailor questions to the interviewer’s role: If you’re speaking to a hiring manager, ask about role expectations and team dynamics. If it’s an HR professional, it’s best to focus on company culture or growth opportunities. This ensures your questions are relevant and respectful of the interviewer’s expertise. 
• Be mindful of time: While it’s important to ask questions, balance is key. Limit your list to three to five well-chosen questions, depending on the flow of the conversation. This shows that you respect the interviewer’s time and that you value efficiency and focus. 

Find More Job Hunting Advice With OysterLink 

Are you looking for more job hunting tips? Luckily, our comprehensive platform can help answer any questions you may have about the hiring process (especially in the hospitality industry). 

Explore our library and find answers to any of the hiring questions you may have: