Introduction

Interviews can definitely be both exciting and nerve wracking for many of us and finding the right questions to ask can sometimes be challenging. Whether you are the interviewer or the interviewee, your goal is often to get to know the other person as much as possible to determine whether or not the position is suitable. 

As we see with many interviews these days, though a big chunk of the interview includes more structured conversations, the end is usually open for questions and comments with a more relaxed environment. However, sometimes when we are just thinking off the top of our heads, we may not be asking the best questions and we may lose out on establishing a better understanding between the interviewer and interviewee. Asking a variety of questions is always a great way to clarify any details, to further understand the corporate culture, the interviewee’s aspirations and to create a stronger impression during the interview. 

Here are several questions to ask at the end of an interview for both the interviewee and the interviewer across a variety of topics. Let’s get right into it!

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

When applying and interviewing for a job, it is important to ensure that you know exactly the type of organization and employees that you may be potentially working with. In order to do so you must ask questions to the interviewer to better understand each aspect of the organization. Let’s take a look at questions across various topics that you can use in your next interview. 

Questions About Roles and Responsibilities

Understanding the specifics of the role and daily tasks can help the interviewee decide whether they are a good fit for the job. 

1. Can you describe a typical day for someone in this role?
2. What are the immediate projects or tasks that need attention in this position?
3. How do you measure success for this role?
4. What challenges might I face in this position?
5. What opportunities for professional development are available in this role?

Questions About Corporate Culture 

Getting to know the corporate culture helps the interviewee decide if their values align with those of the company. 

1. How would you describe the company culture here?
2. What values are most important to the company?
3. How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
4. Can you provide examples of how the company has supported diversity and inclusion?
5. What kind of social or team-building activities does the company offer?

Questions About the Hiring Process

Determining the next steps of the hiring process will help the interviewee prepare and manage their expectations. 

1. What are the next steps in the hiring process?
2. When can I expect to hear back from you?
3. How many interview rounds are there, and what do they involve?
4. Will there be any assessments or tests during the interview process?
5. Who will be my point of contact throughout the hiring process?

Questions About the Interviewer’s Experience

Learning about current employees’ experiences at the organization can give insight into what it might be like to actually work at the organization. 

1. What do you enjoy most about working here?
2. What have been some of the highlights during your time with the company?
3. Can you describe a significant challenge you’ve faced here and how you overcame it?
4. How has your role evolved since you started?
5. What opportunities for growth have you experienced within the company?

Questions About the Team

Understanding the team dynamics helps the interviewee see how they might fit within the group. 

1. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
2. How does the team typically collaborate on projects?
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current team?
4. How does the team handle conflicts or disagreements?
5. How often does the team meet, and what are those meetings like?

Questions to Ask the Interviewee

As the interviewer, your ultimate goal is to hire someone who is a perfect fit for both the specific role and the responsibilities it requires and also for the organization’s overall growth and support. To do so, it's important to get to know each candidate to the best of your ability by asking as many questions as needed. Here are great questions to ask your interviewee in your next interview. 

Questions About Future Goals and Aspirations 

Determining the interviewee’s long term career objectives will help to determine whether they align with those of the role and the company. 

1. What are your long-term career goals, and how does this role fit into them?
2. Where do you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?
3. How do you plan to grow professionally in this industry?
4. What skills or experiences are you hoping to gain from this position?
5. How do you see this role helping you achieve your future aspirations?

Questions About Availability and Logistics 

These questions are great for determining if the interviewee is practically a good fit for the role. 

1. When are you available to start if offered the position?
2. Are you able to work the hours required for this role?
3. Do you have any upcoming commitments that might affect your availability?
4. Are you willing to relocate if necessary?
5. Do you foresee any challenges in meeting the travel requirements of this role?

Questions for Feedback and Concerns

These questions will encourage the interviewee to share any feedback on the hiring process or any concerns they may have, ultimately providing greater clarity. 

1. Do you have any concerns about the role or the company that we haven't addressed?
2. Is there anything in the job description that you'd like more information about?
3. Do you need any further clarification on any topics we've discussed today?
4. How do you feel about the company's goals and how they align with your personal values?
5. Are there any aspects of the job or company culture that you feel unsure about?

Questions to Avoid

There are some questions that both interviewers and interviewees should generally try to avoid, especially during the interview. Some of these questions may be too personal, may set a bad impression or are overall inappropriate for an interview. 

Questions to Avoid Asking the Interviewer

1. How much does this position pay? - This is a question that should not be asked so early on into the hiring process.
2. How soon can I take vacation after starting? - This question can lead to feelings of doubt towards your commitment and dedication.
3. Why is your company better than my previous employer who was terrible? - Speaking ill about your preview employer creates a tone of disrespect and negativity. 

Questions to Avoid Asking the Interviewee

1. What is your religious affiliation? - Any personal questions relating to religion, race, gender identity, marital status and age should be avoided.
2. Do you have any health issues or disabilities? - It is important to focus only on whether the candidate can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
3.  Do you have any debt or financial problems? - Questions about a candidate’s personal financial situation are intrusive and irrelevant. 

Conclusion

In both asking and answering interview questions, maintaining professionalism and relevance is always crucial. As an interviewer you must focus on understanding the candidate's qualifications, experience, and fit for the role while avoiding questions that can be seen as discriminatory or invasive. As an interviewee, your aim should be to gather information about the role and company while steering clear of topics that might appear negative. 

By using these end-of-interview questions, you can further your understanding of the role and corporate environment as the interviewee or you can better understand the candidate’s abilities and personality as the interviewer. In both cases, asking these types of questions at the end of an interview will ensure a more transparent, respectful and effective interview process.