5 Ways to Answer “Do You Have Any Questions?”

“Do you have any questions for me?” This is probably one of the most stressful questions that come up during a job interview.

The interview typically includes introductions and discussions about yourself and the company, and how you and your talents will fit into the team and role in question. By the time the conversation is over, you’ll know all about the job, the company, and whether or not the position is right for you.

Then they ask: “Do you have any questions for me?”

You have already checked all the details with your interlocutor. At this point, you probably just want to go home and wait for that email saying the job is for you.

After a long day of mentally preparing, getting dressed for your interview, and sitting through hours of conversation, you may be dying to respond that you are good and have all the information you need. But while the interviewer might simply ask the question to make sure he didn’t miss anything, this could also be a test to see how you respond.

Even if it is not an exam, if you are well prepared, this opening gives you the opportunity to ask questions that will make a good impression on the interviewer. In addition, there are probably some questions you should ask to get useful information about the company.

So what kind of questions should you be asking? Here are some ideas:

1. What do you enjoy most about working here?

It can be difficult to learn all about company culture before you actually start working there. Fortunately, this question is a great way to gain insight into what life is like as an employee.

So, go ahead and ask your interviewers what they like most about working there. If they can’t stop raving about the great leadership, supportive culture, and the many benefits? Well, that’s a great sign. But, if the best answer they can come up with is the average vacation policy, you might want to proceed with caution. It’s hard to stay in a job when you’re unhappy, so you definitely don’t want to get involved in a company if you knew there was a problem from the start.

2. What is the essential thing someone needs to do in order to be successful in this role?

Sure, you’ve read the job description back and forth a few times. But sometimes, it’s nice to hear directly from the hiring manager about what they think the ideal candidate is.

You probably need to be an expert in something technical like Photoshop or Excel. Or perhaps the ideal applicant possesses a particular soft skill, such as being highly organized or an excellent communicator.

Ask this question to your interviewer, and you are sure to gain additional insight into what it takes to be the best fit for the position.

3. What are your expectations for this role in the first 60 days?

The job description may have triggered you into some of the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the position. But you’re still a long way from the loop as to the goals of the person who will take on the role.

Is there a specific metric they will use to measure this person’s success? Or, is there a big project that they hope this person will go through with almost immediately?

If you end up accepting an offer, you’ll want to do so knowing that you both have the same expectations. So, this is a great question to ask to make sure you’re on the same page from the start. Even if more details come out after you officially start working, you will at least start working with a common understanding.

4. How would you describe the leadership style of this company?

Company culture flows from top to bottom, so it’s good to know the company’s leadership style. Is it rigid and formal, or do superiors pride themselves on having an open-door policy? Are leaders more involved, or do they prefer to work closely with employees?

Ask this question to show how things work in this company. Whether you’re interviewing for a leadership position yourself or simply want to know what the people you’ll be working under are like, this is important information to gather. If you like what you hear, great. If not, you will know to continue looking for a job.

5. What’s next in the recruitment process?

Sometimes you get caught off guard and simply can’t think of an amazing and thought-provoking question to ask the interviewer.

In those cases, go ahead and ask what the next step in the hiring process is. Will there be second interviews scheduled? Will they reach out to everyone — even if they don’t come forward? When do you expect to hear from them?

Not only is getting the lowdown on what’s next a great way to end an interview, it also ensures you leave the office with the information you really want and need.

Don’t miss out – ask questions!

Most job interviews end with the hiring manager asking if you have anything you want clarified or answered. The last thing you want to do is respond with an off-base question or a quick, “No, I’m fine!”

Instead, have one of these five questions ready to go and you’re sure to end the interview on the right note.