10 Great Questions to Ask HR During an Interview

Interviews can be nerve-wracking. You’re trying to display the required skills while also connecting with the interviewer personally, showing you can fit into the company culture. 

One of the most underutilized opportunities to stand out is when the hiring manager or recruiter asks if you have any questions for them. Candidates often see this as a sign that the interview is ending and may hurriedly ask something insignificant or say no. 

Asking insightful questions can demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and company and provide you with important information about the job fit.

But what do you ask? 

We’ve compiled a list of 10 excellent questions to ask HR during your interview. First, let’s dig into why asking questions is important and how to prepare for that critical moment when you can ask them. 

Why Should You Ask HR Questions?

Whether you’re in a panel or one-on-one interview, it can sometimes seem like an interrogation. But in reality, an interview should be a conversation between two parties—you and the employer—each trying to discern if they’re a good match. 

Actively engaging in that conversation by asking valuable questions demonstrates interest, preparation, and communication skills helping to set you apart from others. Asking questions can also have other benefits:

• Gain insights about the company and role: Through your questions, you can learn more about the company culture, the team you might be working with, and career advancement opportunities.
• Assess the company’s expectations: By asking questions about the role’s responsibilities and company goals, you can better understand their expectations of you and whether these align with your skills and career goals.
• Establish a connection: A two-way dialogue can help build rapport with the interviewer. Asking smart questions can leave a positive impression and help the interviewer remember you as a thoughtful and proactive candidate.
• Differentiate yourself: Many candidates will focus solely on answering questions. By asking your own, you can stand out as proactive, engaging, and serious about the position.

If anything about the role or company was not evident during the interview process, asking questions clarifies any confusion.

How To Prepare for the Interview

When you walk into an interview, you want to be armed with information and questions that will make the conversation as productive as possible. Let’s break down two critical steps to prepare.

Research the company and role

HR managers and recruiters want to see genuine interest from candidates—in fact, 47% of interviewers would pass on a candidate who lacked knowledge of the organization. Therefore, you should do some basic research on the company ahead of time to get familiar with things like:

• Mission and company values: These are usually on the organization’s website in the “About Us” section. Understanding the company’s beliefs can help you align your questions and responses to fit its culture.
• Recent news: Look for recent articles, press releases, or blog posts about the company. A little knowledge about its latest products or projects can go a long way.
• Competitors: Have a basic idea of where the company stands in the market. Knowing major players and current trends can help you understand its strategies and challenges.  

Even more important is fully understanding the role that you’re interviewing for. Make sure you review things like:

• Job description: Pay attention to the listed responsibilities and desired qualifications, as they will shape the interview. 
• Required skills: Identify the critical skills needed, and find a way to showcase your experience with them through responses or questions. 
• Potential co-workers: If the job post mentions a direct report or department you’ll work in, research potential team members. LinkedIn can be a great tool to learn about the team’s professional background.

This doesn’t need to take weeks of work; a simple Google search can show you are engaged in the company’s present and future. 

Prepare your list of questions

When brainstorming questions to ask HR (or taking them from our list below), there are a few things to keep in mind. 

Reflect on what’s important to you

Consider what factors are most important to you in a job. Do they include professional development, career training opportunities, or work-life balance? Maybe the company’s values or commitment to sustainability and an inclusive work environment are critical. 

Prioritize your questions

While you may have a long list of ideas, time in an interview is limited. Identify your “must-know” from your “nice-to-know” questions, prioritizing the ones that will give you the best understanding of the company and role. 

Phrase them well

Ensure your questions are open-ended and allow for comprehensive responses. Avoid questions that prompt simple “yes-or-no” answers, as these can shut down a conversation. 

10 Questions To Ask HR in a Job Interview

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 sample questions that are applicable in both in-person and phone interviews. Tweak these to make them specific to your situation.

1. Can you tell me more about your journey at the company?

Asking this question is a gentle icebreaker, allowing the HR professional to share a personal anecdote. It can help warm up the conversation and may provide insights into the company’s growth and career progression opportunities. 

2. What do you enjoy most about working here?

This question is great for revealing the employee value proposition (EVP). Responses often highlight the aspects of company culture you’ll deal with daily. 

3. Can you describe a typical day or week in the role I’m applying for?

Job descriptions can often include vague responsibilities, so getting a rundown can help set realistic expectations. 

4. How does this position contribute to the company’s long-term goals?

This question showcases your big-picture thinking and interest in the value you can bring to the company. 

5. How is success typically measured for the position I’m applying for?

Learning about the performance metrics provides a clear picture of expectations and how the company rewards achievement. 

6. Could you explain your performance review process?

Clarifying how and when job performance is assessed indicates your commitment to personal growth and eagerness to meet and exceed the company’s standards. 

7. Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?

This question shows you’re a collaborative team player who is already considering how to integrate into the existing workplace environment without disrupting the current situation. 

8. Who will I report directly to, and can you share their management style?

Knowing who you’ll report to helps clarify the team hierarchy. Asking this question also highlights that a supportive workplace is important to you. 

9. How would you describe the company culture, and what initiatives do you have to foster it?

The answer to this question paints a picture of the work environment and can show whether the company invests in team-building or community outreach. For example, if you're a woman interviewing, you might inquiry about the gender equality policies in place at the company.

10. What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now, and how are you working to overcome them?

This question demonstrates strategic thinking and shows you’re interested in not just the job’s perks but also the reality of its challenges. 

Asking thoughtful questions during an interview is crucial in establishing two-way communication, allowing you and the employer to make an informed decision. If you’re interested in knowing what you might be asked, check out our guide on the best interview questions to ask remote workers. 

Tips for Answering Questions During an Interview

When it’s your time to answer, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

• Be prepared: Anticipate both common and tough questions, but try not to sound rehearsed. 
• Use the STAR method: When discussing past experiences, the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method can help you structure compelling answers. 
• Listen carefully: Remember to apply active listening. If a question is unclear, it’s better to ask for clarification than to give an irrelevant answer. 
• Be concise: Give detailed answers, but be direct and to the point. Avoid rambling by sticking to the most relevant information. 

To prepare for a phone screening interview specifically, read our list of the best phone screen questions so that you’ll be ready for what the interviewer asks. 

Final Thoughts

Remember, an interview is the perfect platform to showcase your skills, enthusiasm for the role, and fit within the company culture. Asking valuable questions and confidently answering can present you as an ideal candidate and set you on the path to success. 

Of course, to get interviews in the first place, you’ll need to apply with companies that are a great fit for your skills and distinct qualities. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, check out our job board with hundreds of remote openings for professionals in Latin America.