12 Killer Questions to Ask Employers During a Job Interview

A job interview is a two-way street. While it helps an employer choose the best applicants, it also gives candidates the chance to weigh their options. With this said, do not let this opportunity go to waste! Equip yourself with not just the best answers, but also the most relevant questions to ask employers in an interview.

The importance of having questions to ask employers in an interview

Having a list of unique questions to ask employers is as important as giving the interviewer excellent answers. Why? Because it shows the interviewer that you came prepared. Asking the right interview questions lets you display a thorough knowledge of the company; it also shows your eagerness to lay the groundwork for your career growth should you be accepted.

Additionally, when you have questions to ask for interviewers, you also get a more engaging conversation. You can then be more candid and open about your experiences and what you can bring to the job opening.

Going to an interview half-baked or ill-prepared fritters away your chance to show your full potential. So, exhibit how invested you are in applying for the role by coming prepared with your questions. If you are unsure what kind of questions to ask employers, start with this list and tailor it as necessary.

Top questions to ask employers in an interview

Impress interviewers with questions about the company and its culture. Here are the top questions you should ask. 

1. How long have you stayed in the company? What is it about the company that made you stay?

A passionate answer from the interviewer could give you a peek into the company's corporate culture. Do they have a culture that aligns with your personality and ideal work setup? Notice if they have good corporate practices, such as diversity and inclusion, dedication to the needs of the employees, and respect for gender equality and individual talent. Understanding the company culture will help you decide if the company matches you.

Additionally, there are particular traits that make a great company culture. These include supportive leadership, fun work experience, and aligned goals. It is crucial that you familiarise yourself with these before the interview.

2. What are you looking for in an ideal candidate? What qualities are most important for a candidate to excel in this role?

The answer to this question may offer you a glimpse of their expectations from you. The interviewer may also redirect this one at you, giving you a chance to shine. Share your experiences that reflect their ideal candidate. 

If ever you get hired, your prior knowledge of their ideal candidate will help you have a good fresh start. You can also ask the interviewer about their deal breakers for candidates. Do they have any doubts about you fitting the job? If so, how can you address these? Continue the conversation by addressing the interviewer’s concerns and highlighting your experiences that solve those queries. 

3. How would you describe your management style?

Aligning your work ethics with the new company is crucial in determining if you fit in the overall scheme of things. This is key to workplace harmony. You and your colleagues must be able to work efficiently together with the least bit of friction possible. Knowing the employer’s management style directs you to new things you may need to learn.

4. What is your idea of success?

Understanding a company’s priorities covers a lot of ground. The success of the collective, as well as the individual employee, can tell you what the company’s internal processes may be like. With this question, you might also learn what it takes to land future promotions under the organisation.

5. How does the company deal with failure?

Knowing the company's attitude towards failure is vital because it tells you how flexible its internal processes are when dealing with problems. Is the company reactive or responsive? Does management lose its bearing quickly or give you time to initiate solutions? Their answer will tell you a lot about a company's ability and agility to make things right.

6. What are the next steps after this interview? 

Be specific here. Ask about the timelines. Ask how long it takes to process applications, how many more interviews will there be, and when you can expect to hear from them. With concrete answers, you will have an easier time during your job search journey. 

Some companies encourage applicants to follow up with them if they fail to provide updates within a timeframe. Generally, it should be okay to write a follow-up email after an interview. Read our tips here.

7. What is the background of this job opening? 

Learn why the company opened opportunities for the position you are applying for.  place. It would be best to know if the role is a new position to support organisational growth. If it is an old-time job, you may ask who held the position prior and how the turnover will be like.

If you are filling an opening left by someone, consider asking what happened. Was the person promoted or moved to a different role? If they resigned, ask what led to that departure. Remember to stay diplomatic as you prod for answers; avoid throwing the interviewer off with insensitive questions.

8. What do you hope the person filling this position will accomplish in the first six months on the job?

The answer to this question will give you a bigger picture of the role. Your interviewer might share some of their long-term goals and ongoing projects you may be involved in. With this, you will have an idea of how much time you may have to settle in and catch up if you land the job.

9. How will the position and my work contribute to the organisation’s short- and long-term goals?

This is a follow-up question to knowing more about their expectations of you. Related to the previous question, this one lets the interviewer tell you what they expect you to complete in certain timeframes. You can ask this question if you want to dig a little deeper into the expectations and outputs of the position. 

10. Are there opportunities for growth in this role? How do you see this position growing? 

If you want to grow with this organisation or the industry, ask this question. Understanding potential growth areas will allow you to imagine how you can grow with the company and how the management looks at growth and opportunities for its employees. 

11. How does the team communicate during the workday? What are the tools used for collaboration? 

If the job you are applying for has a hybrid work setup or is a remote job, this describes a part of your day-to-day interactions. Knowing how teams communicate also gives you an idea of how you can interact or get face time with managers, coworkers, and even C-level executives. 

12. Did the organisation go into a remote work setup? What were the challenges and how did you overcome them? 

The COVID-19 pandemic led most organisations to implement fully remote or hybrid work arrangements. Asking this question may lead the interviewer to describe how many employees work remotely and onsite. When you ask employers this question in the interview, you will know how they addressed one of the most significant challenges most Malaysian companies faced. Furthermore, you will also get to know how efficient and collaborative they are in confronting obstacles. 

Asking questions is an excellent way to impress your interviewer. It also shows that you are serious about the job. Aside from preparing to ask questions, it is good to know how to answer common questions during interviews. This skill makes your application stronger and helps you stand out amongst other candidates. Use our Interview Practice Tool to prepare for your next interview.

Continue your search for the #JobsThatMatter. Update your JobStreet profile so employers can connect you to work that will bring you passion and purpose. For more interview tips and other helpful articles for job hunting, visit our Career Resource Hub.