At the end of most interviews you will be asked whether you have questions. Having good ones prepared is part of a strong interview.

About the role

  • What would a successful first six months look like?
  • What are the biggest challenges the person in this role will face?
  • How is performance usually reviewed?

About the team

  • Who would I work with day to day?
  • How does the team communicate and make decisions?

About what comes next

  • What are the next steps, and what is the expected timeline?

Listen carefully to the answers. They tell you as much about the employer as your own answers tell them about you.

Questions that show you have prepared

Specific questions show real interest. If you have read about the company, refer to something you learned and ask what it means for the role. Avoid questions that could be answered by a quick look at the website.

Questions to avoid at first interviews

It is reasonable to ask about pay and benefits, but timing matters. Many people hold detailed compensation questions until the employer raises them or until later in the process, and focus first on the role and the team.

Listen as much as you talk

The answers you receive will tell you about the culture, the manager and the pace of work. If something does not sit right, note it and think about it afterwards.

Finish by restating your interest and asking about next steps. It is a simple, confident way to close the conversation.

Questions about growth and learning

  • What kind of training or development is available for this role?
  • How do people in this team usually progress?
  • What is the biggest thing someone could learn here in the first year?

Questions about the first weeks

Ask what the first month looks like, who will support you and how your progress will be reviewed. The answers show how organised the employer is.

Things worth clarifying

If answers about the role stay vague, if no one can describe what success looks like or if the team seems to change often with no explanation, ask follow-up questions politely. You are not looking for perfection, but you should leave with a clear picture of what you are signing up for.