27 Questions to Ask a Hiring Manager in a Job Interview

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Being in front of an employer who influences the outcome of your job search can be nerve wracking for many people. Nevertheless, job interviews are not only about the interviewer’s questions; they are also a give-and-take in which both parties get to know each other better. Under this scenario, you can prepare questions to ask a hiring manager, especially if you’ll get a “Do you have any questions?” at some point in the meeting. 

Why is it important to prepare questions for the hiring manager?

As part of your job interview preparation, you should research the role and company you’re applying for. At this point, it’s most likely concerns related to the employer and the position will come up, and believe it or not, saving these questions for the hiring manager and asking them during the interview will make you stand out in the sea of applicants and clear any doubts about whether you’ll fit into the role. 

Although some job seekers have the misconception that only the hiring manager is allowed to ask questions during a job interview and that you may seem rude by expressing your concerns, having questions to ask a hiring manager will show them that you’re fully engaged in the meeting and the job role. 

Speaking about your decision-making, the questions you ask hiring managers will ensure you have a deep understanding of the position and company so you’re able to make a more informed decision. On top of that, your questions will unveil your work ethic, priorities, and knowledge of your industry. 

Tips for asking a hiring manager during a job interview

As mentioned above, the questions you’ll ask a hiring manager mainly come from your concerns regarding the role and company. Nevertheless, there are other aspects you can consider before asking a hiring manager questions. 

First and foremost, you must stay focused on your needs and goals. Be mindful of how you’ll phrase your questions to avoid any misunderstandings. Remember that your interviewer could be your future manager or coworker, so make sure to set the foundation for a productive workplace relationship. Here are a few tips you should have in mind when asking questions. 

• Show you’ve done your research: Interviewers can quickly notice when candidates are interested in a role. Asking a hiring manager questions is one of the best ways to express that you’ve researched more than what is posted in the job description. So be sure to have something ready in advance. 
• Be flexible and fluent: Even though you’ve prepared a list of questions to ask a hiring manager, don’t stick to a particular order. Some may get answered before you ask them, or more doubts may arise as the interview goes on. Also, don’t wait until the end to extend your concerns; keep it conversational and pose questions when they make the most sense.
• Showcase your desire to learn: As mentioned in previous points, asking a hiring manager questions allows you to show your excitement to land the role and learn more about the company. For this sake, set up your questions with curiosity rather than judgment or combativeness. 
• Ask the right questions: Once you’ve defined your questions for the hiring manager, filter your options to ensure you’ll focus on topics familiar to your interviewers so they’ll be able to provide clear answers.

How many questions for a hiring manager is proper?

Another common concern that comes up when preparing interview questions to ask hiring managers is the expectation of how many you can actually ask. Although defining a straight answer is tricky, once the interview takes place, you’ll know the appropriate number of questions, as it mostly depends on the length of the meeting. 

A typical number of questions to ask a hiring manager is three to five, considering your job interview lasts approximately an hour. However, keep in mind this number can increase if the meeting extends for more time, so prioritize your questions and add two or three more options to your list as a backup in case one is no longer applicable or answered before you ask. 

Smart questions to ask a hiring manager

In case you’re struggling to find relevant topics to dive into during the interview, here is a sample list of the best questions to ask a hiring manager to help you determine if the job role you’re applying for fits your career path. 

Questions about the company culture

Company culture is a major game changer when joining a company in the current labor market. As a candidate, asking about the workplace atmosphere will help you uncover red flags and distinguish between a fulfilling, thriving career or a job leading to employee burnout.  

• What does the company culture look like? 
• What is what employees enjoy the most about working here? 
• What does team bonding in the company look like?
• What does success look like in your company? 
• How would you define the work environment in the company?
• How often does the company organize corporate retreats or events?

Questions about the role’s skills, credentials, and responsibilities

Even though after reading the job description, you’ll have an idea of how qualified you are for the position, during the interview, you’ll have the chance to clear any specific concerns about the role’s profile and responsibilities. By doing so, you’ll tell more quickly if your previous experiences match the job’s day-to-day. 

• What does a typical day in this role look like? 
• What kind of projects will I be working on? 
• Is this a new position or an established role? 
• What is the typical learning curve for this role?
• What is the essential skill set you’re looking for in this position? 
• Does this position need any specific training or certificates? 
• How does my profile/position fit with the current team? 

Questions about career path and growth

If one of your motivations to make a job change is getting an opportunity more aligned with your career goals, then encourage yourself to ask the hiring manager about growth potential, even if they are big-picture questions. Clearing the following concerns should help you determine if this new job will get you closer to your professional objectives. 

• What would be the career path for someone in this position? 
• What learning and development opportunities are available? 
• What roles or departments can I progress to by succeeding in this role? 
• What are the short and long-term objectives/priorities for this position? 
• What do you expect me to accomplish in my first year at the company?

Questions about benefits, salary, and work-life balance

Although some professionals are hesitant about these items, make sure to include in your list of questions to ask a hiring manager a few items about the salary, remote work options, and other corporate perks the company may offer you. These aspects will be the cherry on the cake; if they and the previous ones are convincing enough, you should be set to keep on with your application and eventually accept a possible job offer. 

• What is the salary range for this role? 
• Is this an in-office or remote position? 
• Do you have any work-life balance policies? 
• Are there any corporate benefits for employees? 
• How are tasks prioritized in the company? 

Questions about the hiring process

This aspect can be an extra depending on how many stages the company’s hiring process has. If there are more phases to cover, you should ask the hiring manager some questions about the next steps.

• Are there any more steps for the interview process? 
• Do you have any additional questions for me? 
• Do you want me to provide you with additional evidence of my work experience?
• What is the next stage of the hiring process?

When defining your questions to ask a hiring manager, remember it will highly depend on the company and position you’re applying for and the topics you go over during the interview. Be strategic about organizing your questions and when you ask them, but most importantly, use them to gather the relevant information for your decision-making.

Contributed by Luis Arellano