Asking thoughtful questions during a job interview can help you learn more about the company and the position, and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm. Here are some categories of questions to consider, along with sample questions that you can personalize:

• Questions about the specific job:

  • What are your expectations for me in this role?
  • What’s the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 90 days?
  • What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
  • Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
  • Who will I work with most closely?
  • What are my direct reports strengths and the team’s biggest challenges?

• Questions for your potential boss:

  • How long have you been at the company?
  • How long have you been a manager?
  • What’s your favorite part of working here?

• Questions about the company:

  • What are the companys goals for the next year?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now?
  • What is the company culture like?
  • What is the companys approach to professional development?

• Questions about the interviewer:

  • When did you start working with this company?
  • How long have you been in your current role?
  • What do you enjoy most about working here?

• Questions about the hiring process:

  • What are the next steps in the hiring process?
  • When can I expect to hear back from you?
  • Is there anything else I can provide to help you make your decision?

Remember to avoid asking questions that focus too much on what the organization can do for you, or that require a yes or no answer. Also, stay away from questions that have already been covered during the interview. Finally, try to come up with at least four or five questions to ask the interviewer, in case some of them are answered during the earlier discussion.