Six Questions to Ask in an Interview

This blog post was written by Lyndsey A., Director of Talent Attraction at Centene.

So, you put together a stellar resume and application and heard from a Talent Advisor that you’re moving to the next step. Congratulations! The interview is probably up next.

You might be researching the company, the culture, and thinking about how to put your best foot forward when you meet the hiring manager and team. One way to do this is to have a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview. This is your chance to learn more about the role, the team, leadership, and the company itself. So, take advantage of this opportunity! It’s when you can hear directly from what your future team could be on what it’s like to work at the company and anything else needed to make your decision should you be offered the role. That’s why it is always best to have a few questions prepared going into the interview. And don’t be afraid to deviate from your list if the questions have been answered. Remember – this is a conversation! Here are a few questions to get you started.

What is the company's approach to work-life balance?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for overall well-being. Inquiring about this topic shows your dedication to maintaining harmony in your professional and personal life.

What is the team currently missing that you’re looking to fill with this role? Or what qualities or attributes are you looking for?

Use this question as an opportunity to show off your skills. The team is looking to hire this role for a reason, and you could be the perfect fit! If the role is looking to fill a gap in data analytics, this could be a time to showcase a recent project you worked on or a reporting process you streamlined. It can also be a way for you to learn what type of team you would be joining. Is this a collaborative team or do they prefer to work solo? You may be able to glean the answers from this question.

What are the biggest challenges that an individual might face in this position?

The response to this question can give insight into top priorities for the company and your future team. The answer might also help you gauge the company’s or hiring leader’s commitment to transparency. On the candidate’s end, this question also showcases your proactive work style and willingness to tackle challenges head-on.

What’s your favorite part about working here?

This question allows the interviewer to share their personal experiences and insights into how they feel about their team and role. Hearing positive feedback from current employees can be reassuring, while any hesitation in their response might be a red flag worth investigating further.

What are the common career paths in this department and beyond this role?

It’s important not only for this role to be a fit for you but also that you’d be excited about future roles and that the company supports growth and development. This question is an opportunity to learn about a company’s professional development, mentoring opportunities, or thoughts on internal advancement.

Is there anything you need me to clarify? Or are there any additional questions you have for me?

If you believe the position is right for you, this is your last chance to sell yourself. Maybe there’s a gap in your resume that a hiring manager wants to ask about. Or a team member might be curious exactly how much experience you have with a specific program. There might be a skill in the job description listed as a “nice to have” that you don’t possess but you’re interested in adding to your toolkit. Set yourself up for success when asking this question and be prepared to fill in the blanks in any areas you could see being asked about.

Also, don’t ask questions you can Google® the answers to!

The time to ask questions might be limited, so it’s important to use it wisely and not ask questions just for the sake of asking questions. Ideally, try not to ask any questions that you can easily Google the answer to. Chances are, you’ve researched and spent a lot of time preparing for your interview, and you don’t want to give the false impression to your interviewer that you didn’t.

At the end of the day, interviews are a two-way street. This is not only your chance to show why you would be the best person for the role, but also your chance to see if the role and company are a good fit for YOU. These questions can be a good way to ensure a meaningful conversation with an interviewer and uncover whether or not this company and role aligns with your career goals and personal values.