12 Questions to Ask a Hiring Manager

An interview with a hiring manager is a few steps into the job search process. After receiving résumés for a new position, recruiters usually conduct job interviews with their best applicants as part of the hiring process. To find the ideal candidate, your potential employer asks interview questions to understand the type of person you are and to keep an eye out for any red flags that might indicate a bad fit for the work environment.

Usually, you’ll undergo an initial job interview (often by telephone) with someone from human resources. If that goes well, you’ll move on to the following interview with additional individuals from the company, such as your direct supervisor (a lot of times, this person is the hiring manager) and other team members. During the interview, they’ll ask about your job history, career path, and work style. You may also receive information about the new job, such as the day-to-day activities they expect you to complete.

At the end of an interview, they will ask if you have any follow-up questions about the job opportunity. This is the time for you to ask good questions about what you can expect if they choose to hire you. If all goes well and you seem like a good fit for the company, you’ll land a job offer and begin onboarding.

Asking the right questions before accepting your next job will help you find the best fit for this stage in your professional development. The types of questions a job seeker should ask the hiring manager include:

1. 1. What would a person in this new position do on a typical day? Your day-to-day activities make up the bulk of your experience on the job and will help you determine if those responsibilities match your expectations and skill set.
2. 2. Who will I be working with in this position? Ask about your direct supervisor and whether you will be part of a larger team or work independently.
3. 3. Is the job a new position or part of the current company structure? Asking for the history of the role will inform you whether your predecessor will train you or if the company expects you to forge your own path.
4. 4. What kind of projects or initiatives will I be working on? This sample question informs you of specific projects or goals that might interest you beyond the basic job description.
5. 5. What kind of skills will I need to fulfill my duties? Knowing the skills required to do your job well will set you up for success before you show up on your first day.
6. 6. What are the biggest challenges to this job? Knowing in advance the hurdles you’ll need to jump on your most challenging days will tell you the kind of stress and support you can expect.
7. 7. What’s your favorite part of working here? The personal opinion of a long-standing employee gives you a good idea of the environment you’ll be joining.
8. 8. What is the plan for the company’s future? Ask for the business goals and expectations for your role in particular. This will give you insight into what they hope you’ll achieve over the next six months to a year.
9. 9. Can you describe the company culture and work environment? Ask if they’ll expect you to work long hours to ensure you can achieve a work-life balance. You may also want to ask if employees spend time together socially outside work.
10. 10. How will my performance be evaluated? Ask if they’ll expect you to complete official performance reviews or if you’ll receive regular feedback.
11. 11. Are there professional development opportunities for me in this role? This great question shows you care enough about the opportunity to consider working for them long term and determines if the job provides avenues to further your career.
12. 12. What are the next steps? If you want the job, asking about the next steps, such as further interviews, indicates to the hiring manager that you’d like to be a part of their company.

Though you may be curious about more specific information, avoid asking any of the following questions at the end of your interview:

• Easily obtained information: Avoid asking questions you could have researched or found on the company’s website before arriving, such as what the company does. You should know as much about the company as possible before you arrive for your interview.
• Negative questions: Try not to ask about anything that might be sensitive to the company, such as information about recent layoffs or the company’s financial status.
• Raises or promotions: Avoid asking questions about when you can expect a raise or promotion in a way that sounds demanding. Though you can ask about career opportunities within the company, making demands before they offer you the job may paint you in an unflattering light. Save these types of questions for when you negotiate your salary.
• Online monitoring: Asking whether they will monitor your online activity implies you’ll be spending your time browsing social media or on other unrelated websites. Most potential employers will not want you spending time on personal pursuits. Instead, focus on questions about company culture, values, and management styles.
• Personal questions: Avoid asking too many invasive questions of your interviewer. Focus on friendly, positive questions about the prospective job only.

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