--- title: "23 Smart Questions to Ask in an Interview (And Why They Work)" description: "The best questions to ask your interviewer that show you're serious about the role. Questions about the team, company, role expectations, and culture. With examples." canonical: "https://mortit.com/blog/questions-to-ask-interviewer" --- Interview Prep # 23 Smart Questions to Ask in an Interview "Do you have any questions for me?" is not the end of the interview. It's your chance to show you're serious-and find out if you actually want the job. 10 min read Updated February 2026 TL;DR Prepare **5-8 questions**, plan to ask 2-4. The best questions show you've done research, are thinking seriously about the role, and want to understand what success looks like. Avoid questions you could Google, questions about salary in early rounds, and never say "I don't have any questions." ## Why Your Questions Matter "Do you have any questions for me?" This isn't a formality. It's part of the interview. Your questions reveal: - How much research you've done - What you care about - How seriously you're thinking about the role - Whether you're evaluating them-not just hoping they pick you Good questions can reinforce that you're the right candidate. No questions-or bad questions-can undo a good interview. ## Questions About the Role These help you understand what you're actually signing up for. **1\. What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?:** **Why it works:** Shows you're already thinking about how to contribute. Also reveals whether they have clear expectations-or if you'd be figuring it out yourself. **2\. What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?:** **Why it works:** You're not afraid of challenges-you want to understand them. The answer also tells you a lot about the reality of the job. **3\. How would you describe the day-to-day in this position?:** **Why it works:** Job descriptions are one thing. Actual days are another. This grounds the conversation in reality. **4\. What's the most important thing I could accomplish in the first six months?:** **Why it works:** Shows you're thinking about impact, not just tasks. Helps you understand priorities. **5\. How has this role evolved over time?:** **Why it works:** Signals interest in growth and context. Reveals whether the role is stable or still being defined. ## Questions About the Team You'll spend more time with these people than almost anyone else in your life. Understand who they are. **6\. Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?:** **Why it works:** Shows you care about collaboration, not just the job title. Listen for team size, structure, and dynamics. **7\. Who would I be working with most closely?:** **Why it works:** Gets specific about relationships. Helps you picture yourself in the role. **8\. How does this team typically collaborate with other departments?:** **Why it works:** Reveals whether you'll be siloed or cross-functional. Shows you understand that work doesn't happen in isolation. **9\. What's the team's biggest priority right now?:** **Why it works:** You'll understand what you're walking into. Also shows you're thinking about contribution, not just onboarding. ## Questions About the Manager If you're talking to your potential manager, these are crucial. Your relationship with your manager shapes your entire experience. **10\. How do you like to give feedback?:** **Why it works:** Shows you want to improve and that you're thinking about the working relationship. Reveals their management style. **11\. What's your management style?:** **Why it works:** Direct question that gets direct answers. Helps you assess fit-do you thrive with hands-on managers or prefer autonomy? **12\. What do you wish you'd known when you started here?:** **Why it works:** Invites them to share real insights. Often gets more honest answers than formal questions. ## Questions About the Company Think bigger picture. Where is this company going, and do you want to go there with them? **13\. What's the company's biggest priority this year?:** **Why it works:** Shows you're thinking strategically. Helps you understand how your role fits into larger goals. **14\. How has the company changed in the past year?:** **Why it works:** Reveals trajectory. Are they growing? Restructuring? Pivoting? This affects your experience. **15\. What's something you think the company does really well?:** **Why it works:** Lets them share what they're proud of. Positive question that often reveals genuine strengths. **16\. What's one thing you'd like to see improve?:** **Why it works:** Shows you're realistic-no company is perfect. Their answer tells you a lot about challenges you'd face. ## Questions About Culture Culture is hard to assess from the outside. These questions help you see past the careers page. **17\. How would you describe the culture here?:** **Why it works:** Open-ended question that lets them characterize it. Listen for specifics vs. buzzwords. **18\. What do you enjoy most about working here?:** **Why it works:** Personal question that often gets genuine answers. Watch their enthusiasm (or lack of it). **19\. What type of person tends to succeed here?:** **Why it works:** Reveals real values beyond stated ones. Helps you assess fit. ## Questions About Growth If you're thinking long-term, you need to know where this job can take you. **20\. What does the path for growth look like in this role?:** **Why it works:** Shows ambition without sounding like you're already planning to leave. Reveals whether there's a path forward. **21\. How does the company support professional development?:** **Why it works:** Shows you're invested in growing. Reveals whether learning is valued or just talked about. ## Questions to Close Strong End with questions that show confidence and move things forward. **22\. Is there anything about my background that gives you hesitation?:** **Why it works:** Bold question that gives you a chance to address concerns. Shows confidence. Not everyone asks this. **23\. What are the next steps in the process?:** **Why it works:** Practical question that every candidate should ask. Sets clear expectations for follow-up. ## Questions to Avoid Some questions send the wrong signal: #### Questions That Hurt Your Chances - **"What does your company do?"** - You should already know this. - **"How much does this pay?"** - Wait for them to bring it up or later stages. - **"How soon can I take vacation?"** - Signals wrong priorities. - **"Did I get the job?"** - Awkward and puts them on the spot. - **"Can you tell me about the benefits?"** - Save for HR or after an offer. - **Anything you could easily Google** - Shows lack of preparation. ## Tips for Asking Questions #### Pro Tips for the Q&A - **Prepare more than you need.** Some will get answered during the interview. - **Prioritize.** Put your best questions first in case time runs short. - **Listen and adapt.** Ask follow-ups based on what they share. - **Take notes.** Shows you care about their answers. - **Don't rush.** Quality over quantity. 2-4 thoughtful questions beats 8 generic ones. - **Be genuine.** Ask what you actually want to know, not what sounds impressive. One underrated way to get comfortable with this part of the interview: practice it. When you do mock interviews with [MORT](https://mortit.com/features/interview-practice), the AI simulates the whole conversation-including asking if you have questions. Getting reps in helps the Q&A feel natural instead of awkward. ## Practice makes prepared Great questions are just part of the equation. Practice the whole interview-including thinking on your feet-with MORT's AI Interview Practice. [Learn About Interview Practice](https://mortit.com/features/interview-practice) [Try a Free Mock Interview](https://app.mortit.com/signup) ## Keep Preparing ### [Complete Interview Prep Guide](https://mortit.com/blog/interview-preparation-guide) Everything you need from research to follow-up ### [50 Behavioral Questions](https://mortit.com/blog/behavioral-interview-questions) With sample answers and the STAR method ### [Answer "Greatest Weakness"](https://mortit.com/blog/how-to-answer-what-is-your-greatest-weakness) Turn this tricky question into a strong answer