I believe one of the most important pieces of advice I regularly give to candidates is: never walk into an interview without a set of well prepared questions.
It’s easy to view interviews as a one way evaluation, where you're being assessed against a role and measured up against a job description. But the reality is, a successful interview is a two-way street 🔄️ It’s not just about whether the employer thinks you're a good fit...it's equally about whether you believe the business, its people, and the opportunity align with your goals, values, and needs.
Having insightful and intuitive questions ready demonstrates more than just preparation. It shows that you’re serious about your next move, that you're genuinely interested in them, and that you’ve taken the time to think about whether this is the right next step for you 🤔
Here’s why that matters, and how to do it well.
Bringing thoughtful questions to an interview sends a powerful signal to hiring managers. It tells them you’re not just firing off CVs and hoping something sticks - it shows you’ve taken the time to understand the role and business, and you want to dig deeper.
Curiosity is a trait that employers value 💯 It suggests a willingness to learn, adapt, and get under the skin of what makes the business tick. Whether you're asking about how the team collaborates, what success looks like in the first six months, or how the company is responding to industry changes, you're demonstrating initiative and maturity in your approach.
A polished job spec can only tell you so much. The interview gives you a further opportunity to peek behind the curtain 👀 Thoughtful questions can help you uncover the day-to-day reality of working there, which isn’t always visible from the outside. You might want to consider asking:
❓ What kind of support or development is available for new starters?
❓ How would the team describe the leadership style?
❓ What does internal communication look like?
❓ How does the business celebrate success or handle failure?
These kinds of questions can offer valuable insight into how the business treats its people, how transparent it is, and whether the team dynamic suits you.
Prepared candidates often stand out. When you ask intelligent questions, you’re positioning yourself as someone who’s engaged, considered, and capable of thinking beyond the basics.
It also opens up a more natural, human conversation. Interviewers remember candidates who steer the dialogue into meaningful territory, rather than sticking rigidly to their own question list. A good question can spark a two way discussion and build rapport, which can only work in your favour!
BONUS TIPS 👉 For 5 ways to leave a strong impression, see our blog post: How to stand out in a crowded candidate jobs market
It’s not just about finding the right fit...it’s also about avoiding the wrong one. Asking targeted questions can help you spot potential issues before you accept an offer.
🚩 If you ask about progression opportunities and get vague answers, that might raise concerns about career growth.
🚩 If you ask how the team supports wellbeing or flexible working, and they struggle to respond clearly, it may suggest that people management isn't a strong suit.
Remember, you're making a decision that affects your future. Trust your instincts and listen closely to the answers - both what’s said and what’s left unsaid.
When you’ve asked the right questions, you walk away with more than a gut feeling. You’ve learned something about the culture, the leadership, the priorities, and perhaps even the challenges of the business. That gives you better material to reflect on as you consider your options.
Even if you don’t move forward with the role, it sharpens your sense of what you’re really looking for.
Each conversation becomes part of your learning process.
A good question is relevant, specific, and open-ended. It shouldn’t be something you could have easily found on the company website. Consider trying to:
💬 Tailor your questions to the role - “What are some of the challenges the team has faced recently, and how have they tackled them?”
💬 Link your question to something you’ve heard about the business - “I read about your recent product launch, how has that changed things for the team?”
💬 Invite the interviewer to share their personal perspective - “How do you see this role evolving over the next 12 months?”
You don’t need dozens, three to five strong questions are usually enough. Write them down, bring them with you, and feel free to add more as the conversation unfolds.
If you only take one thing away from this post, let it be this:
An interview is not just about impressing a hiring manager. It’s your chance to make sure the opportunity is right for you, not just on paper, but in practice.
Asking great questions gives you the confidence to make informed decisions. It helps you show up as your best self, and it ensures you’re not just chasing a job...you’re pursuing the right one.
So, next time you prepare for an interview, spend time thinking about the questions you want answered. They might just make all the difference ✨