It can be difficult to come up with interview questions for interviewers if you haven’t done it before. Still, it’s a critical part of job interviews that candidates often don’t take advantage of. 

Interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences, but knowing how to ask thoughtful follow-up questions can help you stand out and leave a lasting impression on your potential employer. 

Learn why you should be asking questions as a candidate, including how to do it, questions to avoid at all costs, and the top 23 best interview questions for interviewers.

Why Ask Interviewers Questions? 

Asking interview questions for interviewers toward the end of your meeting is more important than most people realize. Knowing how to ask interview follow-up questions can be the difference between getting hired or not. You can also try to use the questions your interviewer asks you to formulate relevant follow-up questions for them. 

For instance, imagine you’re interviewing for a sales position and the interviewer asks you, “What would you say is your biggest strength?” A great follow-up question for the interviewer at the end of the interview could be, “What do you think are the most important strengths someone can have to excel in sales in this company?”

Similarly, if you’re interviewing for a management position and the interviewer asks, “Can you describe a situation where you had to manage a difficult employee?” A great follow-up interview question for the interviewer could be, “How do you manage interpersonal conflict within your team?”

By asking these relevant follow-up questions, you can show off your interest in the company, show that you have done your research, and gain more insight into the expectations and challenges of the position.

Do they want you to ask interview questions for interviewers?

Simply put, yes. They expect you to. Interviewers often leave time for candidates to ask questions because they want to gauge their level of interest in the position and the company. It shows that the candidate has done their research and is genuinely curious about the role and the company culture. 

On top of that, asking questions allows the candidate to gain more information about the company and the position. This can help them make an informed decision if they are offered the job. Interviewers also want to make sure that the candidate has a clear understanding of the job expectations, so they can determine if they’re a good fit for the role. Interviewers want you to ask questions because it demonstrates your interest, curiosity, and commitment to the job. 

Don’t be afraid to ask interview questions for interviewers that show your enthusiasm for the position and your desire to succeed in the company.

Types of Interview Questions for Interviewers

Contrary to popular belief, there’s more than one type of interview questions for interviewers. For example, some of the most common types include: 

• Open-ended questions
• Close-ended questions
• Behavioral questions
• Situational questions
• Hypothetical questions

Open-ended questions

This type of interview question for interviewers is one that can’t be answered with a static response or a “yes” or “no.” Instead, these questions are a catalyst for more dynamic answers from the interviewers. This is due to the way you phrase open-ended questions. 

Some common examples of open-ended questions include:

• Can you tell me a bit more about that?
• What are your thoughts on…?
• Describe a time when…
• Why do you think that?
• What are the company’s goals for the future?
• What motivates you every day?
• What are your thoughts on the current state of industry?
• What are your biggest challenges in your role?

Closed-ended questions

As the name suggests, close-ended questions are the opposite of open-ended questions. These questions can be answered simply with a “yes” or “no” and don’t require the interviewer to have a dynamic response. 

For example, some close-ended questions include:

• What’s the salary range for this role?
• Are there opportunities for advancement in this position?
• How many hours per week do you work in your role?
• What are the next steps in the interview process?
• When can I expect to hear back from you?

Behavioral questions

With behavioral interview questions, the goal is to gauge how an interviewer would behave in a certain situation or scenario. Specifically, these types of questions can give the interviewee some insight into how the interviewer handles stress, how they conduct themselves in the workplace, and even what their skill level and experience is. 

Behavioral interview questions for interviewers are important because you’ll be able to get a better understanding of the person interviewing you. 

Some examples of the best behavioral interview questions are queries like: 

• Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker, or a time when you had a disagreement with a colleague?
• Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond for your job and how that experience was for you.
• What would you say was the most significant challenge you’ve faced during your job here and how did you handle it?
• Give me an example of a time when you had to work under pressure and how that was for you.

Situational questions

Similar to behavioral questions, situational interview questions pose questions meant to gauge how the interview would react in specific situations.

For example, some situational interview questions for interviewers that you could ask include things like:

• How would you handle a situation where you caught an applicant in a lie during an interview?
• How would you deal with a colleague who was consistently underperforming or not meeting the requirements of their job?
• For team members that aren’t as engaged, how would you motivate them?
• What about a scenario in which two coworkers are in a personal disagreement with each other. How would you handle that? 
• How would you tackle a situation where you had to fire a team member?

Hypotheticals

Hypotheticals are also really similar to both behavioral and situational questions in that they all shed light on the interviewer and how they handle scenarios. 

Some good examples of hypotheticals include queries such as: 

• How would you prioritize your responsibilities and make sure that an important project is completed on time when you’re on a tight deadline?
• How would you tackle a scenario where you needed to give negative feedback or criticism to an employee?
• How would you approach being asked to get involved on a project that’s outside of your area of expertise?
• What would you do if you found out the company was involved in illegal or unethical work?
• What would be your first steps if you were asked to lead a new team?

Tips for Asking Interview Questions for Interviewers 

Asking good questions during an interview is not only a great way to show your interest in the position, but it can also help you gain a better understanding of the company and the job requirements. Here are some strategies and tips for asking interviewers questions.

1. Make sure you do your research.

Before the interview, take the time to research the company and the position. This will allow you to ask specific questions that demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the company.

2. Be thoughtful with regard to the questions you ask.

When formulating your questions, think about what information you would like to know if you were in the hiring manager’s position. Ask open-ended questions that allow for a more detailed response.

3. Don’t ask about salary and benefits as your first question.

There’s nothing wrong about asking interview questions for interviews that revolve around salary and benefits. Still, don’t make these your first questions. Asking about such critical aspects of the job right off the bat might come off as callous. 

While it’s important to know what the compensation package includes, start by focusing on questions related to the job duties and company culture. Initial screenings tend to be short, so you have to use the time you have wisely. Talk about your qualifications and skills as much as possible during the interview, and leave questions about salary and logistics for the end of the interview.

4. Use your active listening skills. 

Pay attention to the interviewer’s responses and use them as a basis for follow-up questions. This shows your engagement in the conversation and interest in learning more.

By utilizing these strategies, you can impress your interviewer by asking thoughtful and insightful interview questions for interviewers to show off your knowledge and interest in the position. Remember, asking good questions is just as important as knowing how to answer questions in an interview.

5. Practice, practice, practice. 

Practicing asking interview questions for interviewers is an absolute must. Although you might be tempted to go into the conversation with a few questions and no practice, this isn’t a good idea. 

To best practice asking these questions, take advantage of Yoodli’s interview flow. You can start by downloading Yoodli directly to your computer. This tool can also help you prep for the questions the interviewer could be asking you. 

By using this interview simulator, you’ll be able to personalize the type of interviewer to inform the questions you’re asked. For example, you can tailor the simulation to resemble a more serious interviewer, someone who’s more friendly and amiable, or even one who might be a little skeptical. 

Yoodli then uses generative AI to give you follow-up questions in real time. The result is exclusive, actionable, and personalized feedback based on your response to the question. 

For example, you’ll get direct metrics and insights based on your answers, such as your: 

• Pacing (how fast or slow you speak)
• Word choice (such as any weak words you could be using)
• Filler word usage, including how many fillers you use and which ones

Based on this data, Yoodli will recommend suggestions on how you can best improve your interview game. For example, this speech coach might suggest you rephrase your answers in plain language or simpler terms to be more conversational. It can also advise you on how to be more concise and to-the-point in your answers. 

You can learn more about Yoodli’s interview flow and how it can help here:

What Not to Do When Asking Interview Questions for Interviewers

While interviewers generally leave time at the end of the interview to allow candidates to ask questions, they expect candidates to ask thoughtful questions. Try not to ask surface-level questions just for the sake of asking a question. 

To avoid asking bad follow-up questions during an interview, it’s important to prepare beforehand. Research the company and the position you’re interviewing for. Then, brainstorm questions that show your interest and enthusiasm for the job. Avoid asking questions that could easily be answered with a quick Google search. It’s better to not ask questions at all than to ask Google-able questions that waste the interviewer’s time. 

Additionally, try to avoid questions that are too broad or vague. They may not provide the interviewer with enough information to give a meaningful response. Instead, ask specific and relevant questions to show you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the company and the role. 

Finally, be sure to listen actively to the interviewer’s responses. Follow up with additional questions based on their answers to show your engagement and interest in the conversation.

Interview Questions for Interviewers to Avoid

There are also some interview questions for interviewers that you should try to steer clear of. For example, as mentioned above, questions about benefits and your salary can be questionable to ask, especially if it’s your very first interview. It depends on the job and the interviewer.

Some interviewers don’t mind compensation questions, even if it’s the first interview. Plus, asking these questions doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily disqualify you. Still, if you’re leaning on the side of caution, it could be best to avoid asking these right off the bat. 

One thing is for certain: Never ask any personal questions about the interviewer’s personal life. This includes queries about their family, hobbies, where they live, and other questions about their daily life. If they bring up their personal life and that sparks a follow-up question, that might be OK. Again, if you want to err on the side of caution, don’t ask.

Although you might be curious about it, it’s not a good idea to inquire about how the company is doing financially. Any type of questions related to internal affairs aren’t considered very professional or appropriate. Don’t ask about the company’s financial performance either. 

Don’t ask questions that as disguised or veiled criticism toward the company. Queries that might be perceived as negative can turn an interviewer off from wanting to hire you. Any negative questions related to the employees of the company, its services, or its products aren’t appropriate for an interview usually. 

If the interviewer has already answered a question, it’s also not a good idea to ask it again. You don’t want to risk irritating the person who could be responsible for hiring you. 

As mentioned above, any general questions that could be answered through a simple Google search aren’t good to ask an interviewer. You want to be mindful of their time and show that you’re interested in the company and the position you’re applying for. Any more general or vague questions should be answered through your independent research. 

Best Interview Questions for Interviewers

Asking interview questions for interviewers shows them your interest in the position and the company. It also shows that you have done your research and are serious about the opportunity. 

Additionally, asking good questions can help you gain a better understanding of the job requirements and the company culture. This information can help you determine if the position is a good fit for you and tailor your responses to better align with the company’s values and goals. 

Asking good interview questions for interviewers is just as important as answering them because it allows you to showcase your knowledge and interest in the position while also gathering valuable information to make an informed decision about the job. 

Here are some of the best interview questions for interviewers to consider asking:

1. What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?
2. What are some specific examples of how the company is committed to DEIB?
3. What metrics do you use to specifically measure success and growth in this position?
4. What are the team’s goals for the next year (or the next quarter)?
5. Can you describe a typical day in this position?
6. How does this company measure job satisfaction and engagement amongst the workforce?
7. Are there any chances for cross-team collaboration here? What would that look like?
8. What would you say are the company’s values? How do these values steer the decision making here?
9. What are some ways the company focuses on positive team culture and avoids developing a toxic work environment?
10. What are some of the goals this company has for the next five years?
11. Do you have any examples of how the company aims to be more accountable and transparent to relevant stakeholders? 
12. How has emerging technology shaped the company? Does this company use innovations like AI in any way?
13. Is there anything the company is doing to be more sustainable as a whole? 
14. How would you describe the company culture here?
15. Does the company ever give back to the local community? If so, how?
16. What are some ways the company supports professional development of team members?
17. What does flexibility look like in terms of work schedules? What is the policy on remote work vs. returning to the office?
18. What are the biggest challenges facing this department/team?
19. Are there any ways the company supports team members with regard to employee well-being and mental health? 
20. How is employee feedback handled within the company? 
21. What does the company do to attract and retain valuable employees? 
22. What are the next steps in the interview process?
23. Is there anything else you would like me to know about this role or the company?

Interview Questions for Interviewers: FAQs

Q: What if I forgot to ask interview questions for interviewers during our conversation? 

A: Don’t worry! It’s not uncommon to forget something during the interview. You can always reach out to the interviewer via email or phone to ask any additional questions you may have. Just make sure to be concise and respectful of their time.

Q: How do I know which interview questions to ask interviewers? 

A: It’s a good idea to research the company and the position beforehand to get a better understanding of their needs and goals. From there, think about any questions that may help you better understand the role, the company culture, or the interviewer’s expectations. You can also ask follow-up questions related to any specific topics or questions that came up during the interview.

Q: Can I use an AI speech coach to help me with follow-up questions? 

A: Yes! Yoodli’s AI interview coach can help you practice and refine your interview skills, including asking good follow-up questions. You can receive personalized feedback on your communication style and learn strategies for asking good questions in an interview or after an interview.

The Bottom Line

Interview questions for interviewers can be a powerful tool for leaving a lasting impression on your interviewer and increasing your chances of getting hired. By asking thoughtful, insightful questions, you can demonstrate your interest in the company and the position, as well as gain valuable insight into what it would be like to work there. 

Remember to always prepare and practice your follow-up questions ahead of time with communication technology tools like Yoodli, so you can be confident and effective in your interview.

Sources

• LinkedIn: “3 Reasons why it’s important to ask questions at an interview!”
• Harvard Business Review: “38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview.”
• St. Olaf College: “Open-ended versus Close-ended Questions.”
• Illinois Eastern Community Colleges: 30 Questions You Should And Shouldn’t Ask In A Job Interview.
• LinkedIn Business: “30 Behavioral Interview Questions To Assess Soft Skills.”
• Indeed: “31 Situational Interview Questions (With Example Answers),” “12 Questions Not To Ask an Interviewer (And 10 You Can).”