Do You Have Any Questions? How to Respond to this Dreaded Interview Question

When you are at a job interview, one of the most disconcerting things the interviewer will likely ask is, “Do you have any questions for me?” Good, well-thought-out interview questions show the interviewer that you have researched the company, thought about your potential role in it, and what you need to know to make a decision. The last thing you want to do when asked this question is to say, “No, I don’t have any questions.”

Failing to have a question or two at the ready shows a lack of professionalism and inquisitiveness, and it can derail all of your excellent qualifications. Thus, you need to go into the interview with some questions in the back of your mind that you can tap into for this stage. Since some of the questions will get answered in the discussion, keep a long list ready to go. This guide should help.

Questions to Ask at the Start of the Interview

At the very beginning, establish that you have knowledge of the company and its culture and are curious to learn more. These questions will establish the right tone.

Questions About Company Culture

• Do team members/employees get together outside of work or eat lunch together?
• What are the biggest strengths and potential weaknesses of the team?
• Does the company sponsor social events? If so, is attendance mandatory?
• What type of atmosphere is felt here on a typical day?

Company culture is a huge part of finding a work environment that fits you well, and finding a candidate who fits with the work culture is just as important to your potential new manager. A team that gets together outside of business hours is often a team that works well together on the job. These questions also show the interviewer that you are interested in being a functional part of the team and learning to merge with its culture.

Questions About the Interview Expectations

• Is there anything about my resume or experience you wish to know more about?
• What qualifications or experience would you like me to explain to you?
• What do you want to learn about me at this interview?
• What are the steps of this interview process?

Knowing what to expect in the interview process, both in the current interview and in the process going forward, is helpful. It allows you to maximize the interviewer’s time and also allows you to strategize and put your best foot forward in the interview. Since your time and the interviewer’s time are both important and valuable, these questions are valid and worth asking.

Questions About the Interviewer’s Experience

• How long have you been on the team?
• Did you have prior experience in the field, or did you work elsewhere?
• What would you say is your favorite part about working here?
• Are there any upcoming projects that you are particularly excited about?
• Has your role changed during your time with the company?

Though the end goal of the interview process is to showcase your experience, asking about the interviewer’s experience with the company can give you insights into the company culture and other facts that will help you decide if you want to take the job if it’s offered to you. These are not inappropriate, as long as you do not take too much of time on this particular type of interview question.

Questions to Ask About the Job

Next, prepare some questions that you can ask about the job itself. Some of these may get answered in the initial conversation, and others you can weave into the interview to show curiosity and preparation.

Questions About the Specific Job Listing

• What are the specific expectations for the job you posted?
• How will success in meeting those expectations be measured if I am hired?
• What immediate projects are most vital to this job posting?
• What skills gap are you looking to fill with your new employee?
• Is this job listing for a new position, or is it to take over for someone who is leaving or retiring?

The answers to these questions will help guide you as you proceed in the interview. They will also give you key insights into what you’d be expected to do if you are hired. By knowing expectations early in the interview, you can better frame your answers, highlight the right experience, and move the interview toward a successful conclusion that includes a potential job offer.

Questions About Management and Colleagues

• Do people in this role tend to work collaboratively or independently?
• How many colleagues will I work directly with on a day-to-day basis?
• What departments work closely with the one this job is in, and how do they collaborate?
• Who will be my immediate management team or manager, and what is their management style?
• Will anyone be reporting directly to me or under my management? If so, what can you tell me about them?

Knowing to whom you are going to report is a valuable piece of information you can glean from the job interview. Similarly, getting a feel for the culture of your colleagues will help you jump on board as a team player from day one. If you are interviewing for a management role, you’ll want to know a bit about the people you’re leading as well.

Questions About Professional Development

• What does onboarding look like if I am hired?
• What opportunities for advancement does this position offer?
• Are there any learning or professional development opportunities, such as regular on-site workshops or training?
• Can I take on assignments that will stretch my skill set or allow me to learn something new?
• Do you attend industry conferences, and would my role allow me to attend them?

Starting a position where you can grow and develop within your profession is invaluable. Many companies will fund ongoing education or provide on-site advancement and training opportunities. Asking about these options shows that you are interested in professional growth and can give you keen insight into how the company works. Asking about onboarding shows whether the company is dedicated to helping its new hires find their footing.

Questions to Ask at the End of the Interview

As you notice the interview coming to an end, you will likely be asked if you have any more questions. It is time to wrap things up at this point, but there is one more set of questions to consider.

Questions About the Next Steps

• What is the next step in the interview process?
• Would any additional information from me be helpful in your selection process?
• Can I answer anything else for you before we leave?
• When can I expect to hear from you?

These questions show that you are interested in continuing the process and give you a framework to know if you should continue looking for a position elsewhere or wait a few weeks to see if you get an email or phone call related to this particular job opening.

Questions to Avoid During an Interview

While you do need to have good, thoughtful questions for your interview, you may do more harm than good if you ask the wrong questions. These are the questions you need to avoid asking at your interview, as they will give the wrong impression.

Questions About Other, Unrelated, Job Openings

• Is the company looking to hire in any additional areas?
• Would my skill set make me a good candidate to apply for any other job openings?
• Do you have any openings for someone in XYZ department (other than the department you are interviewing for)?
• Is there a job opening that would not require me to do this particular task?

Sometimes you will sense that you aren’t going to be a good fit for the job. If that happens, end the interview on a professional note, but do not ask about other job openings. You are there to interview for one job opening only. If the interviewer thinks you might be a good fit for something else, they will surely mention it. Otherwise, apply for and interview separately for other job openings you see at the company.

Questions About Salary

• What will my salary be?
• Do you give an annual bonus?
• How long do I have to wait before I am eligible for a promotion?
• When does PTO or any other benefit start?
• How does your salary compare to your competitor’s?

Discussions of salary will be a normal part of the job application process. You may even find that a salary range was discussed early in the interview or given to you in the job advertisement.

Do not ask specific questions about salary in your first interview. This makes it appear that you are only in it for the money and are not passionate about the role. It can be more advantageous to wait for a formal offer before getting into the details of salary and pay schedule.

Personal Questions to Avoid

• How much do you make?
• Will I get to work with a specific person or client?
• Does the company care if I am late or leave early?
• Will you monitor social media postings?
• What have employees been fired for in the past?

Some questions, no matter how curious you may be, are not appropriate for the workplace or especially a formal interview. Others may have a core of truth in them but need to be asked/answered delicately. While every interview and company culture is different, it is best to err on the side of being more professional rather than less. Carefully considering how or if to ask a question during an interview is an important reason to prepare your list of questions and concerns ahead of time. That way, you and the interviewer won’t be caught off guard or put off.

Do you have more questions about how to nail your job interview? Bryant & Stratton College has a career services department that can help. Check out our career resources for more guidance about interviewing well and start preparing for a successful job hunt. Do you want more information about our career-focused degree and certificate programs? Request information from our admissions team today.