When you’re preparing for a job interview, most people focus on perfecting their resumes, practicing their answers, and researching the company. While all of these things are essential, one of the most impactful parts of the interview is often overlooked: the questions to ask hiring managers. The right questions not only demonstrate your genuine interest in the role but also help you gather crucial insights into whether the job and company are the right fit for you.
Asking insightful questions is an opportunity to show your interview preparation, curiosity, and ability to think critically. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s vital to prepare questions for the hiring manager, provide a list of top questions to ask, and give you helpful tips to ensure you shine during the interview.
Why Prepare Questions for the Hiring Manager?
One of the most common mistakes candidates make in a job interview is failing to ask any questions. While the focus of the interview is often on answering questions from the hiring manager, asking your own questions can be just as important. Here are a few reasons why it’s crucial to prepare thoughtful questions to ask the hiring manager:
- Shows Your Interest: Engaging with thoughtful questions to ask hiring managers about the role, company culture, and team dynamics shows that you’re serious about the position.
- Gives You Insight: Your questions provide you with a chance to learn more about the company culture, management style, and what success in the role looks like. This helps you evaluate whether the company is the right fit for you long-term.
- Sets You Apart: Many candidates fail to ask meaningful questions, which can make them appear less engaged. On the other hand, a candidate who asks insightful questions is more likely to stand out and make a positive impression.
- Demonstrates Preparation: Asking relevant and thoughtful questions to ask hiring managers shows that you’ve done your homework. It suggests that you’re prepared and proactive—traits that are highly valued by employers.
Top 20 Questions to Ask Hiring Managers
Now that you understand why it’s important to prepare questions, let’s dive into some of the best questions to ask hiring managers during your job interview. These questions will help you gain a better understanding of the role, the company, and whether it aligns with your career goals.
1. What does success in this role look like?
This question allows you to learn what the hiring manager expects from the person in the role and how they measure success. It’s a great way to understand the key performance indicators (KPIs) and the challenges you might face.
2. How would you describe the company culture?
A company’s culture plays a significant role in how comfortable and successful you’ll be in your new position. Understanding the company’s values, mission, and work environment will help you determine if it’s the right place for you.
3. Can you tell me about the team I would be working with?
Asking about the team gives you insight into the dynamics and collaboration style within the workplace. It’s also a good opportunity to learn about the team’s structure and the skills they value.
4. What’s a typical day like for someone in this position?
This question provides you with a snapshot of the day-to-day tasks and expectations associated with the role. Understanding the job description in real terms can help you decide if the position is truly a good match.
5. What’s your management style?
The way a hiring manager leads their team can significantly impact your job satisfaction. Asking about their management style gives you insight into how much autonomy you’ll have, how communication flows, and how supportive they are.
6. What are the biggest challenges someone in this role might face?
This is one of the most practical questions to ask hiring managers, as it prepares you for potential obstacles in the role.
7. How do you measure success in this role?
Learning how the hiring manager measures success gives you valuable insight into what they prioritize and how they evaluate employees. It also shows you what kind of impact you’ll need to make in your new role.
8. What opportunities for growth and advancement are available?
Asking about career development opportunities demonstrates that you’re thinking about your long-term future with the company. It also shows that you’re motivated to grow and take on new responsibilities.
9. How does the company support work-life balance?
Work-life balance is essential for maintaining overall well-being. Asking this question helps you understand how flexible the company is with schedules and whether they prioritize employee health and happiness.
10. What is the next step in the hiring process?
This question shows you’re eager to know what happens after the interview. It helps set expectations and gives you a clear idea of when you can expect to hear back.
11. What are the company’s long-term goals, and how does this role contribute to achieving them?
This question shows that you’re thinking strategically and are interested in how your work will align with the company’s mission.
12. What is your favorite part about working here?
This personal question helps build rapport with the hiring manager. It also offers you an insider’s perspective on the company’s appeal and work environment.
13. How has this position evolved over time?
This question reveals whether the role offers opportunities for growth. It also helps you understand how the company adapts to evolving needs.
14. What tools or resources are available to help employees succeed?
Understanding the tools, technologies, and support systems available can give you a better idea of what it’s like to work at the company.
15. What does the onboarding process look like for this role?
This highlights your enthusiasm for starting the role and shows your proactive approach. It also helps you understand the company’s onboarding support for new hires.
16. Can you describe how the team collaborates on projects?
This question offers valuable insights into the team’s dynamics and collaboration style. It also helps you understand how well you might integrate into the group.
17. What are the company’s biggest priorities right now?
This demonstrates your interest in understanding the broader context of the company’s work and how you can contribute.
18. How do you support professional development and continuing education?
Learning about opportunities for training or development shows that you’re motivated to grow in your career.
19. Are there any cross-departmental projects I might be involved in?
This question indicates your interest in contributing beyond your immediate role and helps you understand interdepartmental collaboration.
20. What excites you most about the company’s future?
This question encourages the hiring manager to share their vision and can leave a positive impression by showing your curiosity about the company’s potential.
Tips for Asking a Hiring Manager Questions
Maximize your opportunity to impress by asking the hiring manager insightful questions. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your questions are meaningful and impactful:
- Don’t ask about salary too early: While compensation is important, it’s better to ask about the company and role first. Save salary discussions for later in the process.
- Be concise: Ask clear and focused questions. Avoid asking too many at once, as this may overwhelm the hiring manager.
- Show genuine curiosity: Make sure your questions feel natural and genuine. Tailor them to the specific role, the company, and the conversation you’ve had so far.
- Don’t ask questions that can be answered online. Avoid asking about basic information that’s easily available on the company’s website or job description. Instead, focus on questions that give you deeper insights into the role or team.
How Many Questions Can You Ask a Hiring Manager?
You might be wondering how many questions you can ask a hiring manager without seeming overwhelming. The key is balance. While you want to ask enough questions to show you’re engaged, you also don’t want to overdo it.
Typically, aim for around 3 to 5 well-thought-out questions. This allows you to gain the information you need without taking up too much of the interviewer’s time. If the interview runs long, prioritize your most important questions to ask hiring managers to avoid overwhelming them.
Questions to Avoid Asking a Hiring Manager
While asking insightful questions is important, there are certain questions that could leave a bad impression. Avoid asking:
- Questions that show a lack of research: Don’t ask about things that are readily available online or in the job description. For example, “What does your company do?”
- Questions about time off too soon: Avoid asking about vacation days or time off right at the start of the interview. These are important, but it’s better to bring them up once you’ve shown genuine interest in the role.
- Questions that focus on the negative: Questions like, “Why is this position open?” or “Is this job hard to do?” Can give the impression that you’re already focused on potential problems.
- Personal or inappropriate questions: Keep your questions professional. Avoid personal inquiries about the hiring manager’s private life or any issues that are not directly related to the role.
Get the Interview Call You Deserve with a Winning Resume
Asking the right questions to the hiring manager can help you stand out and make the most of your job interview. However, securing an interview in the first place starts with having a strong resume. If you want to increase your chances of landing that interview, make sure your resume is optimized and highlights your most relevant skills and experience.
A professional resume writer can help you create a customized information technology resume that catches the attention of hiring managers and gives you the best chance of success. Get in touch with a resume expert today to craft a document that opens doors and gets you the interview calls you deserve.
