Set yourself up for success with these 40 unique interview questions to ask an employer

When preparing for an interview, many people focus on how they’ll answer common questions to demonstrate their skills and abilities. But don’t forget to prepare some questions you can ask an interviewer, too. Not only do questions allow you to learn more about the position and company, but they can help you distinguish yourself from other candidates. By knowing some creative interview questions to ask, you can make a memorable impression on an employer.

In this guide, we’ll discuss some unique interview questions to ask an employer, including

• Questions you can ask about the job, team, and company

• Tips for asking good questions in an interview

• Why it’s beneficial to ask interview questions

40 Unique interview questions to ask an employer

At the end of an interview, an employer will probably ask if you have any questions for them. Knowing some creative questions to ask can set you apart from other applicants. Consider these 40 unique interview questions to ask an employer at the end of an interview.

10 Questions about the job

1. What do you hope a new employee brings to this role?

2. What are the biggest challenges for someone in this position?

3. What do you hope this person accomplishes in the first three, six, or 12 months?

4. What traits or attributes does the ideal candidate bring to the role?

5. Do you expect the primary responsibilities of this position to change in the next year?

6. What immediate projects will the next person in this role be handling?

7. How have other people found success in this role?

8. How do you measure success in this role?

9. How does the person in this role contribute to the team’s or company’s success?

10. Can you describe the onboarding process for this role?

7 Questions about the team

1. Who would I work with most closely in this role?

2. What are the team’s strengths and weaknesses?

3. Does this team collaborate with other teams or departments?

4. How do team members support each other?

5. What skills or traits would be beneficial for a new team member to have?

6. How does this team acknowledge its successes?

7. Do team members prefer to work collaboratively or independently?

9 Questions about the company

1. How do the company’s values impact the work people do here?

2. What’s the leadership style of the management team?

3. Where do you see the company in the next five years?

4. What’s the company’s biggest advantage over its competitors?

5. How does the company define success?

6. What are the company’s biggest goals or priorities?

7. How does the company plan to grow?

8. What makes you most excited about the company’s future?

9. How does the company reward employees for their hard work?

7 Questions about the culture

1. How would you describe the company culture?

2. What do you enjoy most about working here?

3. Do people feel comfortable taking risks here?

4. What do you think sets this company apart from others?

5. Does the company have any office traditions?

6. How does the company communicate with remote or hybrid employees?

7. Do coworkers enjoy getting together after work?

7 Questions about professional development

1. Does the company prefer to hire internally or externally?

2. What professional development or training programs does the company offer?

3. How does the company encourage employees’ growth?

4. Can you tell me about the performance review process here?

5. Does the company offer opportunities for advancement?

6. Have other employees in this role successfully advanced within the company?

7. What do successful employees at this company do differently than others?

Tips for asking good questions in an interview

The questions listed above can give you an edge over other candidates when interviewing for a position. Here are some additional tips on how to ask unique interview questions:

• Have some questions prepared. Before the interview, think of some creative questions you can ask the recruiter or hiring manager. The same as they also prepare questions for you about things that are or aren't mentioned on your resume. It’s better to have more questions than you think you might need since an interviewer will likely answer some of your questions naturally during the discussion.

• Ask questions throughout the interview. Think of an interview as a conversation between you and the hiring manager. Ask questions whenever you want to clarify something they’ve said or get more information. If you save those questions until the end of the interview, there’s a chance you’ll forget what you wanted to ask.

• Choose open-ended questions. An open-ended question is one an interviewer can’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no.” Open-ended questions encourage further discussion. Plus, you might think of a follow-up question you can ask to demonstrate your active listening skills.

Why ask questions in an interview?

When you interview for a position, it’s not just an opportunity for an employer to ask questions about your skills and experience. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the position and company, so you can decide whether the job is a good fit for you.

In addition, asking questions shows an employer you’re a serious candidate who’s enthusiastic about the possibility of working for the organization. By asking insightful, well-researched questions, you can leave a positive impression on an interviewer, which can make a difference when it’s time for them to make a hiring decision.

Want more interview advice? Use the Interview Prep from Career.io to practice your questions and get valuable feedback before your next job interview!

Key takeaways

1. Ask creative questions at the end of an interview to leave a positive impression on an employer.

2. You can ask questions about the position, team, company, culture, and professional development opportunities, among others.

3. Have some questions prepared and ask questions throughout an interview to show an employer your enthusiasm and professionalism.