The Best Questions To Ask Your Interviewer

Most candidates prepare for interviews by practicing their answers, but far fewer take the time to prepare the questions they plan to ask. The questions you bring to an interview say a great deal about your professionalism, curiosity, and confidence.

Thoughtful questions help you understand the role, the team, and the overall company culture. They also signal to the hiring manager that you are engaged, prepared, and actively evaluating whether the opportunity is the right fit. In a job market where competition is high and expectations continue to rise, this level of preparation can make a meaningful difference.

Below are some of the best questions to ask during your interview, why they work, and how to adapt them so you walk away with meaningful insights and a stronger connection with your interviewer.

Why The Questions You Ask Matter

Great questions do more than fill an awkward moment at the end of an interview.

They help you:

• Make an informed decision about whether the role aligns with your goals, values, and strengths.
• Showcase your strategic thinking by demonstrating you’re looking beyond the job description.
• Gain insight into expectations so there are no surprises on day one.
• Assess whether the culture, workload, and leadership style support your success.
• Stand out as a prepared, engaged candidate (something hiring managers consistently notice).

Instead of asking questions you found in a generic list online, think of this as your opportunity to interview them, too.

Questions That Show You Understand The Role

These questions help you get clarity on responsibilities, expectations, and success metrics, while showing the interviewer that you think like a high performer.

Ask: “What does success look like in this role over the first 90 days and first year?”

This frames you as someone who wants to ramp quickly and deliver results. It also reveals whether expectations are realistic.

Ask: “What are the most important priorities for this position right now?”

You’ll get insight into whether the role is stable, evolving, or urgently backfilled.

Ask: “Can you share what challenges the person in this role will help solve?”

This tells you how your work impacts the broader organization and whether the role is set up for impact.

Questions That Help You Understand The Team & Culture

Your team, manager, and environment will shape your day-to-day experience. These questions go deeper than generic culture topics.

Ask: “How would you describe the working style of the team?”

You'll learn whether collaboration, autonomy, structure, or flexibility drives the workflow.

Ask: “What qualities have helped others thrive on this team?”

This helps you assess if your work style aligns with what’s valued.

Ask: “How does the team handle feedback, conflict, or differing opinions?”

Culture is not defined by perks. It is defined by how people work together under stress.

Questions That Reveal Leadership Style

Your manager can make or break your experience. These questions help you understand how they operate.

Ask: “How do you define a strong working relationship between a manager and employee?”

Their answer gives you a preview of expectations around communication, autonomy, and trust.

Ask: “How do you support your team members’ growth?”

This uncovers whether the company invests in development or expects employees to self-navigate.

Ask: “What’s your approach to performance reviews and ongoing feedback?”

Helpful for understanding cadence, clarity, and accountability.

Questions About Career Growth & Advancement

If growth matters to you (and it should), go beyond “Is there room to grow?”

Ask: “Can you share examples of career paths previous employees in this role have taken?”

Real examples reveal real possibilities.

Ask: “How does the company support employees who want to develop new skills or explore new responsibilities?”

Great companies prioritize skill building, not just output.

Ask: “What does internal mobility look like at this organization?”

This helps you evaluate long-term fit.

Questions That Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

These questions go beyond the immediate role and position you as someone who sees the bigger picture.

Ask: “What upcoming initiatives, projects, or goals will this team be focused on over the next 6–12 months?”

Shows you're already thinking about alignment and impact.

Ask: “How does this role contribute to the organization’s long-term vision or strategy?”

This elevates you from task-doer to value-creator.

Ask: “What challenges or obstacles does the team expect to face in the near future?”

Provides context about stability, workload, and expectations.

Questions That Help You Understand Work-Life Realities

A company can sound great on paper but feel very different in practice. These questions help you sense the day-to-day realities.

Ask: “What is the typical pace of work for this role?”

Workload expectations vary widely across companies.

Ask: “How do you support work-life balance for the team?”

You’ll get insight into boundaries, flexibility, and burnout culture.

Ask: “Has the team experienced any major changes recently?”

Reorganizations, turnover, or restructuring can signal instability or opportunity.

Questions That Leave A Strong Final Impression

End your interview with a question that reinforces your enthusiasm and professionalism.

Ask: “Is there anything else you’d like to know about my background to help determine if I’m the right fit?”

This gives you a chance to fill gaps and strengthen your position.

Ask: “What are the next steps in the hiring process?”

Always helpful and signals that you’re moving forward confidently.

Ask: “What do you enjoy most about working here?”

People light up when asked about their experiences, and this question creates connection.

How To Choose The Right Questions

You don’t need to ask all 20+ questions above.

Instead:

• Pick 5–7 questions that matter most to you.
• Tailor them based on the company, role, and stage of the interview.
• Choose questions that feel natural and aligned with your goals.
• Avoid questions you could easily find online (PTO details, office hours, benefits) — those come later.

Thoughtful questions show confidence, curiosity, and intention: the traits hiring managers remember long after you leave the room.

Partner With Premier

The questions you ask during your interview are one of your greatest tools for evaluating opportunities and leaving a lasting impression. When you choose questions that go deeper, you show hiring managers you’re intentional, self-aware, and committed to finding the right fit.

If you want to elevate your interview strategy and find a role where you can truly thrive, Premier is here to help you every step of the way. Explore our open roles today!