"Do you have any questions for us?" isn't a formality tacked onto the end of the conversation. It's part of the evaluation. Showing up with nothing prepared suggests you haven't thought seriously about the role — and it also wastes a genuinely useful chance to find out whether this job is actually right for you.
Questions About the Role and Team
Ask things like:
- "What does success look like in this role after the first 90 days?"
- "What's the biggest challenge someone in this position typically faces?"
- "How does this role interact with the rest of the team day to day?"
Questions About Growth
Ask things like:
- "What does career growth typically look like for someone in this role?"
- "Are there opportunities for skill development or training?"
- "What has growth looked like for people who've been in this seat before?"
Questions About the Company
Ask things like:
- "What are the company's priorities over the next year?"
- "How has this team's focus changed in the last year or two?"
- "What do you think makes someone succeed here specifically, versus somewhere else?"
Questions About Culture and Day-to-Day
Ask things like:
- "What does a typical week look like in this role?"
- "How would you describe the team's working style?"
- "What do you personally enjoy most about working here?"
That last one is worth including specifically — it often gets a more honest, unscripted answer than almost anything else you'll ask.
Questions to Skip
- Anything answerable with a 30-second search. Asking basic facts about the company signals you didn't prepare.
- Salary and benefits, too early. These questions are fair game eventually, but a first interview with the hiring manager usually isn't the moment — save it for a recruiter screen or a later round.
- "No, I think I'm good." Even one thoughtful question is better than none.
How Many to Prepare
Bring four to six questions. You probably won't ask all of them — some will likely get answered naturally over the course of the conversation — but having a real list means you're never caught with nothing to say when the moment arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions should I prepare?
Prepare four to six questions. You likely won't ask all of them since some may get answered naturally during the conversation, but having a solid list means you're never caught with nothing to say.
Is it okay to ask about salary in the first interview?
It depends on the stage and the company's process. Many recruiters prefer to raise compensation themselves earlier in the process, while hiring managers later in the process often expect the candidate to ask. When in doubt, save direct salary questions for a recruiter screen or a later round rather than a first interview with the hiring manager.
What if the interviewer already answered all my prepared questions?
Say so — it shows you were listening. Something like, "You actually covered most of what I wanted to ask, but I'm curious about..." works well and demonstrates active engagement rather than a scripted list.
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