35 interview questions to ask an interviewer.

Why ask questions during a job interview?

Most of the application process – from the CV and cover letter to the interview – is centred upon the employer finding out more about you and assessing your suitability for the role. But confirming the role is right for you is just as important.

Asking questions during your interview gives you a chance to confirm whether the position is a good fit for you, too. Here are some more reasons why it’s good to ask interviewers questions during interviews:

• Demonstrates a genuine interest in the job and company.
• Shows that you’re serious about joining the business, especially if you ask questions that suggest you’ve conducted prior research.
• Highlights that you have a thoughtful, proactive attitude.
• Helps you gather more information about the role and what’s expected from the ideal candidate.
• Can provide you with an insight into the company culture and help you determine whether the job is a good fit.
• Gives you a chance to get further information on any points that were briefly discussed previously, which shows you’re engaged and critically thinking.
• Lets you discuss how the role fits within the wider company and explore any chances for progression.

5 good interview questions to ask an interviewer about the job role.

To confirm that the position is right for you – and that you’re the best fit for the job – you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the role. Your interview provides the perfect opportunity for this.

Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the role and its expectations by looking at the job description and specification, ask the interviewer a few of the following to get a better picture of what the role involves day-to-day:

1. Why are you recruiting for this role?

Getting an answer to this question will clarify whether the role is brand new or existing, and highlight how the position fits in with the company. If it’s an existing role, you could get an insight into where you’ll be picking up from your predecessor. And if it’s new, you could find out the gaps identified in the business that your role will help address.

2. What will the day-to-day routine of someone who holds this role look like?

This interview question will give you an idea of what your working day will look like if you get the role. The answer should outline any systems you’ll use and procedures you’ll do, as well as the teams you’ll need to liaise with. You can then mention if any of these tasks align with what you’re already doing.

3. What would my first three months look like in this role?

This information can give you a better idea of what will be expected from you within your first 30, 60 and 90 days of employment. If you get the job, it can be helpful and comforting to know what you’ll be doing in the initial period – this can include activities like training and onboarding.

4. Are there any other departments that I’ll need to work closely with?

It’s a good idea to find out who you’ll need to work closely with to succeed in your role. Of course, all members of the team are important, but knowing who you’ll need to have a strong rapport with from the start will help you in the long run. For example, a marketing executive might work closely with colleagues in the PR and sales teams.

5. What opportunities are there for progression?

Finding out whether there are progression opportunities is important in any role. Chances are that you’ll want to progress at some point in the future, so determining where your potential new role could take you is essential. It also shows the employer that you’re not only keen to join the company, but you’re also eager to stay and develop.

5 interview questions to ask about the team.

Ask just about any employee at any business and they’re likely to say that the team makes the job – or it at least has a big impact on how they view their role.

Here are some questions you can ask your interviewer to help you get a better idea of the team dynamic:

1. Can you tell me more about the team and its working style?

Asking this question will give you an initial introduction to who you’ll be working with if you’re successful and how each person collaborates with your role. You’re likely to find out names, job positions and more – so be sure to take notes. Knowing who’s who will be a big help if you’re successful.

2. Who will I report to directly?

Your manager plays a huge part in your career. Research shows that good management practices can help to boost productivity in workers. Most people meet their managers at some point during the interview process, which provides an opportunity to develop a rapport before you even start. But if this isn’t the case, ask the interviewer who your manager will be and what type of management style they have.

3. What types of skills are the team missing that you’re looking to fill with this role?

This question will provide you with the knowledge you need to excel at your job. Knowing the gaps the company is seeking to fill with your role will help you focus on the right places once you start. It also gives you a chance to assess whether any of your existing skills can be transferred to help with the company’s goals.

4. How has the team evolved over the past few years?

This question will give you a clearer picture of where the team started and where it is today. The interviewer’s answer will help you understand how company goals have shaped the team over the years. It could also give you a better idea of the steps the team is taking for growth and how it’s handled change in the past.

5. How does the team measure success?

A good question to ask the interviewer is how the team measures not only your success, but their success as a whole. You can discuss KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), business objectives and expectations for performance as part of this query.

5 interview questions to ask about the company.

Getting information about the company you’ll potentially be joining is vital to ensuring it’s a good fit for your career. Of course, prior research is important too – from sources like the company website, Glassdoor and LinkedIn. But getting first-hand accounts and valuable insights from existing staff will be especially useful.

Here are some of the best questions you can ask your interviewer about the company:

1. What are the biggest challenges currently faced by the company?

Asking the interviewer about the issues faced by the company can show employers you want to add value to the company by offering solutions to some of its challenges. It also helps to show that you’re capable of bringing in new ideas. Start the job with these challenges in mind and show how you can make a difference.

2. What are the business’ current main goals?

The answer to this question should provide you with a clear idea of the business’ goals, ensuring that you start the role (should you be successful) knowing what you need to achieve. It also helps to ensure that the entire company has shared objectives that align with your own values.

3. What processes do you use to evaluate performance?

Knowing the review criteria used by the company will help you establish clear goals for yourself and give you something to actively work towards if you get the job. You’ll be able to measure your own success and decide whether the employer’s expectations are in line with your capabilities.

4. What is the company culture like?

Company culture plays a huge role in the overall employee experience. Research has revealed that employees who feel connected to their organisation’s culture are 4.3 times as likely to be engaged at work. So, finding out how the team engages with each other will give you an insight into what it’ll be like working at the business and help you determine whether the job is a good fit for you.

You can ask the interviewer about specific topics like social events, volunteering opportunities and team building practices.

5. What’s the best thing about working at the company?

The answer to this question will vary depending on who you ask, but it’s still useful to get a first-hand account from an existing employee. This can give you a better insight into some of the perks of working there, whether this be the people, flexible working or extra healthcare benefits.

10 questions to ask about the interviewer.

If the interviewer is a member of the team you’ll be joining, your interview is a great opportunity to get useful insights into their role and how they feel about the company. If it’s a member of the HR or talent team that’s interviewing you, it’s still a fantastic chance to get some insider information on company dynamics.

Here are some good questions to ask the interviewer about their role:

1. How long have you been with the company?
2. What attracted you to join the organisation?
3. What has your career journey within the company looked like?
4. What do you enjoy most about working here?
5. What has kept you at the company?
6. How has the organisation changed since you joined?
7. What do you find most rewarding about your role?
8. What are some of the biggest challenges you've experienced here?
9. What do you think sets this organisation apart from its competitors?
10. What qualities do you think help people succeed here?

10 questions to ask your interviewer at the end of an interview.

In some interviews, you might prefer to wait until the end of the interview to ask more specific follow-up questions. This is usually when employers will usually ask, “Do you have any questions?” It’s a good idea to have one or two questions ready for this moment, as not having any questions might be viewed negatively by some interviewers.

Generally, you want to ask questions that are specific to the role, what you’ve discussed in the interview thus far, or about the recruitment process. Here are a few examples of questions you can ask to underline your interest in the position:

1. What’s your recruitment timeline for this role?
2. What are the next steps after this interview?
3. Is there anything you would like me to elaborate on?
4. Do you need any more information or documentation from me?
5. Are there any other people I should meet with?
6. Are there any immediate projects I would take on?
7. Where do you see the company going in 3 years’ time?
8. If I were to get the role, what do my opportunities to grow with this company look like?
9. What kind of management style do you use?
10. Do you have any final hesitations about my experience or qualifications?

Questions not to ask an interviewer or employer.

Now that you have a better idea of good questions to ask an interviewer, let’s take a look at questions you’re better off leaving out of your interview prep list. The last thing you want to do is disappoint or deter your employer by asking questions that suggest a lack of research or interest in the company or the role.

Here are a few examples of what not to ask an interviewer:

1. What does this company do?
2. How soon can I take my first holiday?
3. Can I leave early if I finish my work?
4. What does the job entail?
5. Who are the company’s main competitors?
6. Are any other jobs available to apply to?
7. When can I expect to receive a promotion or raise?
8. Do you like the manager?
9. Do you do background checks?
10. What kind of salary are you on?

5 tips for asking questions in an interview.

Once you’ve got your list of questions to ask your interviewer prepped and ready, there are a few things you can do to help you execute them most effectively.

Here are some of our top tips for asking questions during an interview:

How can Adobe Express help you get ready for an interview?

Now you know what questions to ask the interviewer, you’re one step closer to being interview-ready. So, it’s time to prepare the finishing touches.

Adobe Express has a range of tools and templates to help you get ready for your interview. Our free tools are specially designed to make it easy for you to prepare for events like interviews, presentations and much more. Create, collate and edit with just a few simple clicks.

Here are a few things you can do with our create-anything app:

• Update your CV using editable templates. Spruce up your CV and make your application stand out from the rest with our custom templates. Select a design best suited to your industry and style, then customise to reflect your professional experience.
• Make your cover letter more personalised. Create a custom cover letter to take your application to the next level. Let recruiters take a deep dive into your experience and expertise.
• Build out your portfolio to showcase in your interview. Impress potential employers with a personalised catalogue of your best pieces of work. Use the Adobe Express portfolio maker to curate your own showcase, so you’re ready to share as part of the interview process.
• Perfect any interview presentations. Import and edit slides to put together a presentation to remember. Choose from a variety of templates and use powerful generative AI tools to make customisation even easier.

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