16 Smart Questions to Ask in Your Next Job Interview (That Make You Stand Out)

16 Smart Questions to Ask in Your Next Job Interview (That Make You Stand Out)

When preparing for an interview, it’s not just about answering questions effectively—it’s also essential to ask insightful questions to leave a memorable impression. Good questions show that you’re serious about the role, genuinely interested in understanding the company’s values, and eager to excel from day one. To help you prepare for these crucial conversations, you can practice with AI-powered interviews to build confidence in both asking and answering questions. Here’s a guide on the best questions to ask, illustrated with examples from real experiences shared by interviewees.

1. “What are some common mistakes new employees make, and how can I avoid them?”

This question not only demonstrates a proactive mindset but also shows that you’re already visualizing yourself in the role and are focused on making a positive impact from the start. As one user shared:

“I ask, ‘What are some mistakes new employees make so I can avoid them/be aware of them?’ 9/10 times they look shocked and say, ‘Oh. That’s a good question.‘”

It’s a powerful way to understand potential pitfalls in the company culture and make sure you’re well-prepared to navigate them. You can practice asking this and other challenging questions through realistic mock interviews before your actual interview.

2. “How is success measured for this role?”

Asking this question helps clarify expectations and shows the hiring manager that you’re results-oriented. It prompts them to think about you succeeding in the role, setting a positive tone for how you’d approach your responsibilities. As one interviewee noted:

“How would my success in this role be measured? It gets them to mentally think about you a) doing the job and b) doing it well.”

It’s a subtle but powerful way to leave an impression of your commitment to delivering results.

3. “Why is this position vacant?”

Knowing why a role is open can give you insight into the company’s culture and the challenges of the role. If it’s a new position, it may require a more entrepreneurial approach. If the previous employee was promoted, it’s a positive sign of growth opportunities within the organization.

“I also ask if this is a new position or something along the lines of why the position is vacant. It helps me understand the role’s potential for growth or possible challenges.”

This can help you gauge how stable or demanding the role might be, and whether it aligns with your career goals.

4. “What are the next steps in the hiring process?”

It’s crucial to end with a question about the hiring process timeline if it hasn’t already been addressed. This shows that you’re eager to move forward and gives you a clear idea of what to expect.

“The last question from you should ALWAYS be (if not already discussed), ‘What are the next steps in the process?’ This shows you want to move forward and gives you a good guide for what’s coming next.”

5. Research-Based Questions: Show Them You Did Your Homework

Tailoring your questions to the specifics of the company or the interviewer’s background demonstrates genuine interest and sets you apart from other candidates. To perfect your research-based questioning technique, try practicing with AI interviews that simulate different company scenarios. For instance:

“The candidate I interviewed last week did simple research and asked about my previous company and tied that in with the current company. I was surprised. It shows genuine interest.”

Consider asking about the company’s recent initiatives, team goals, or market challenges. This can also include referencing any recent news or achievements of the company.

6. “How has the company responded to [specific industry event]?”

Staying up-to-date on industry trends is crucial, and asking about how the company has adapted to recent challenges or changes shows a higher level of engagement.

“Tailor your questions to very specific things about the opportunity. We love when it is clear you have thought this position through. For example: ‘How has company XYZ responded to recent news of ABC?’”

This question not only showcases your industry knowledge but also allows you to assess if the company aligns with your values and professional interests.

7. “What opportunities for professional growth and development does this role offer?”

This question conveys your commitment to growing with the company and indicates you’re interested in a long-term opportunity rather than a short-term job. It’s also a great way to understand whether the company is invested in helping its employees develop their skills and advance.

8. “How would you describe the company culture?”

While this may be a common question, it’s essential for understanding if you’d fit well within the organization. It can also give you a sense of the day-to-day environment and the company’s priorities. Some candidates even ask specific questions related to team dynamics or collaboration practices to get a better feel for their potential coworkers.

9. “What have you learned in your role, and how have you applied that knowledge?”

This question not only encourages the interviewer to reflect on their professional growth but also gives you a sense of how the company values continuous learning and improvement. For experienced or senior hires bringing substantial knowledge and insights, it’s essential to assess whether the team is open to learning and applying new information.

“These questions help me see how they learn from new information and apply it. If all goes well, I’ll be an experienced/senior new hire bearing LOTS of new information and experience, so it’s good to ask about their experience learning, reflecting, and applying new info/knowledge.”

10. Role-Specific Questions for Different Interviewers

Tailor your questions based on who’s interviewing you. For example, ask hiring managers about organizational priorities and ask team members about their experiences working in the company. This approach opens up discussion, giving you valuable insights into how the team and the organization function.

“I’ve got a couple of questions I start with depending on who is interviewing me. These questions prompt a lot of discussion and give me insight into how the hiring manager/team/org operates.”

11. “What’s been new or different from your original expectations in this role?”

This question encourages the interviewer to share honest reflections on their experiences, which can provide you with realistic insights into the team, company culture, or role-specific challenges.

“What’s been new/different from your original expectations or prior experience about your current role? Team? Leader? Org?”

12. “If you could focus on solving a single problem at work for six months, what would it be and why?”

This question gives you insight into the current challenges and priorities within the company. It also highlights the team’s approach to problem-solving and long-term thinking.

“If you had six months to focus on solving a singular problem at work, what would you choose to work on? Why that problem? Why six months?”

13. “If you could go back to your first day, what advice would you give your past self?”

This question is a great way to understand the key lessons your interviewer has learned on the job. It can reveal insights about what it’s really like to work there and may provide tips that can help you in your onboarding process.

“Assume a Time Machine, and you go back in time to your first day at the company. What would you tell past you?”

14. Hiring Managers: “Is this a new role, or are you hiring a backfill?”

If it’s a new role, ask what prompted its creation and what gaps the role is meant to address. If it’s a backfill, inquire about the reasons for the previous employee’s departure. These questions reveal how the company identifies and addresses needs, which is especially useful if you’re stepping into a role with specific goals.

• New role: “What’s new/different about this role that requires someone new vs. upskilling an existing role? How did you identify this gap, and what’s been tried to fill it?”

• Backfill: “Why did the previous person leave? What worked or could improve in their approach?”

• Both: “What trends or skill gaps have you noticed while interviewing candidates for this role?”

15. For Colleagues or Stakeholders: “What’s been good or needs improvement in previous delivery of this work?”

If you’re interviewing with someone who works closely with the role, asking them what impressed or could be improved in past deliveries is insightful. This helps you understand the expectations and gives you a clearer picture of what success looks like.

“If they work closely with this role and/or it’s a backfill: what’s been good/needs improvement in prior delivery of this work? What would really impress you in delivery?”

These questions can make a strong impression and offer a deeper understanding of the role and company. By showing genuine curiosity and a proactive approach, you’re more likely to resonate with the team and align your goals with theirs.

“Be prepared. Have thoughtful and appropriate questions for them. Be confident.”

16. Preparation is Key

A few additional tips for creating a strong impression during your interview:

• Preparation matters: Come prepared with specific questions that demonstrate your knowledge about the company. Practice with AI mock interviews to refine your questioning technique.
• Bring necessary materials: If you’re asked to bring documents or samples, have them ready in high-quality print.
• Keep it professional but genuine: Avoid overly formal or insincere questions. Instead, focus on questions that reveal your authentic interest and commitment.

Conclusion

Asking thoughtful, insightful questions at the end of your interview can be the difference between standing out or blending in with the crowd. By preparing in advance with AI-powered interview practice, showing genuine interest, and asking questions that reveal your intent to excel in the role, you can leave a memorable impression and increase your chances of landing the job.