What questions should I ask at the end of a job interview?

Ask questions that show you have thought about the role beyond the job description. Good options: "What does success look like in this role at six months?", "What are the biggest challenges the person in this position will face?", "How does the team handle disagreement on technical decisions?", and "What would you change about how the team works today if you could?" Each one signals seriousness, curiosity, and that you are evaluating fit — not just hoping to be picked.

How many questions should I ask in an interview?

Two or three thoughtful questions is the right range for most interviews. One looks unprepared; more than four eats into time the interviewer needs to make a decision. Prepare five to seven good questions in advance so you have flexibility to ask the ones that have not already been covered in the conversation.

What questions should you NOT ask in an interview?

Avoid questions that suggest you have not researched the company (anything answered on the homepage), questions that focus on what the company can do for you before you have shown what you can do for them (holiday policy, working from home, salary in early interviews), and questions that are really statements in disguise. Save logistics for after you have an offer or a clear signal one is coming.

Should I ask about salary in the interview?

In the first interview, no — unless the interviewer raises it. In a final-round or offer-stage interview, yes. The framing matters: "Can you walk me through the compensation structure for this role?" is better than "How much does it pay?" Asking too early signals you are optimising for the wrong things. Asking too late wastes everyone's time if there is a serious mismatch.

How do I ask good questions if the interview ran long?

Pick one. Acknowledge the time with "I know we are close to time — could I ask one question?" then ask the single highest-value one for that conversation. This shows respect for the interviewer's schedule and demonstrates you can prioritise under constraint. It is a better signal than rushing through three half-answered questions.

The Questions You Should Be Asking in Your Interview

When an interviewer asks if you have questions, most candidates ask the ones that sound sensible but say nothing.

The forgettable ones

✗"What does a typical day look like?"
✗"What are the opportunities for progression?"
✗"Is there anything you'd like me to clarify?"
✗"What are the company's plans for the future?"

These aren't wrong — they're just forgettable. They don't signal curiosity, preparation, or ambition. They signal that you ran out of things to say.

The questions you ask at the end of an interview are part of the interview. They tell the interviewer how you think, what you care about, and whether you've actually prepared. A well-chosen question can do more work in thirty seconds than twenty minutes of polished answers.

Here are ten questions that actually impress — and why each one works.

The 10 questions you should ask in your interview — infographic by MonkCV

Save or share this — full breakdown below.

1“What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?”

Why it works

This signals you're already thinking about delivering, not just landing the job. It also gives you genuinely useful information about what they actually want.

2“What's the biggest challenge the team is facing right now?”

Why it works

It shows you're interested in the reality of the role, not the brochure version. And the answer will tell you more about the culture than anything in the job description.

3“How did this role come to be available?”

Why it works

Is it a backfill? A new headcount? Did someone get promoted or leave? The answer changes the context of the role entirely — and it's rarely on the job posting.

4“What do the people who do well here have in common?”

Why it works

You're asking about culture without asking about culture. The answer reveals the unwritten rules of the company — the things that actually determine who gets promoted.

5“What's one thing you wish you'd known before joining?”

Why it works

Interviewers don't expect this one. It tends to produce honest, useful answers — and it makes you memorable. People like being asked for their perspective.

6“How does this team make decisions? Is it centralised or does the team have autonomy?”

Why it works

If you're someone who needs autonomy, this is important. If you prefer structure, ditto. It's also a signal that you think about how teams actually function.

7“What would make you hesitate to recommend me for this role?”

Why it works

This is a bold one — only use it if the interview has gone well. But it gives you a chance to address any concerns before they decide. Most interviewers respect the confidence.

8“What does the onboarding process look like?”

Why it works

A company with a thoughtful onboarding process usually has a thoughtful culture. A vague answer here is actually useful information too.

9“How does the team give and receive feedback?”

Why it works

This tells you about psychological safety. Companies with strong feedback cultures say so clearly. Companies with poor ones tend to give vague answers about "open door policies."

10“What's the thing you're most proud of about working here?”

Why it works

End on something positive. It leaves the interviewer with a good feeling, and their answer might be the most honest and useful thing they say in the whole interview.

How many should you ask?

Two or three — chosen from your list based on what came up in the interview. Pick questions that haven't already been answered. And listen to the answers properly, not just as a gap before you talk again. The interviewer is telling you something real about the place you might be spending the next few years.

The bottom line

Asking good questions isn't a trick to impress the interviewer — it's how you actually find out if the job is right for you. Do both and you walk out of every interview either with an offer or with useful information. That's a win either way.

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Sources & Further Reading