Top Questions To Ask in Any Interview

Getting ready for a job interview is usually heavily focused on preparing your answers for what questions the interviewer may ask you. However, a crucial part of the job interview is the conclusion, in which the interviewer often asks if you have any questions. This is your opportunity to not only gather much-needed information about the company and the position, but also to make a good impression on the interviewer.

Ask the interviewer to describe the ideal candidate for the position. This question provides dual information: you learn exactly what the company is looking for in the interviewer's own words, and you also get the opportunity to sell yourself as the perfect candidate, based on the information the interviewer gives you. While preferred qualities may have been listed in the job posting, asking the interviewer in person will give you more personalized, honest information you can use to highlight your own experience. If the interviewer mentions the ideal candidate being proficient in PowerPoint, you can then mention your PowerPoint skills at a later time in the job interview to drive home the point that you're an excellent candidate.

Ask how the position came to be and how it fits into the company's long-term goals. This is a perfectly acceptable question to ask and will tell you whether the position is newly created or is open due to someone leaving the company or getting promoted. The answer to this question provides necessary insight into how you will fit into the position. A position that was previously filled will come with a ready-made task list, while a newly-created position will be a little more challenging to step into as its responsibilities may evolve over time. In addition to asking about the origin of the position, ask about specific challenges of the position as well as what the future holds, advises Louise Garver, executive coach and founder of Career Directions, LLC.

Perhaps the most important question to ask at the end of the job interview is what the next steps are in the hiring process. This one question provides a ton of information: how many more candidates the company may be interviewing; what additional steps, such as exams or additional interviews, may be necessary before a decision is made; and the time frame in which you can expect a response. Asking about the next steps also conveys your energy and enthusiasm for working for the company.

Think of your next job interview as a two-way street. While the potential employer is trying to see if you're a good candidate to work for them, you're also finding out if the company and position is right for you. Asking a few thoughtful questions conveys your interest level, intelligence and eagerness to the interviewer. The questions you ask at the end of the job interview are your last chance to make a great impression.

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