Good interview questions to ask someone about their career

Asking questions about someone's job during an interview

Job interviews should include questions from both the interviewer and the candidate. In fact, you can even think of a job interview as a conversation about a role, the company, and any other relevant information needed to determine if you're a good fit. While the interviewer will ask you plenty of questions about yourself, you should also ask questions of the interviewer as well. In fact, many hiring managers expect candidates to ask questions. Asking the interviewer about their position at the company is a great way to learn more about the organization as well as the interviewer's views on working there.

Here we explore why you should ask someone about their job during an interview, the benefits of asking the hiring manager about their job, and several questions you can use to inquire about the person's position at the company.

Why would you want to ask someone about their job during an interview?

Asking questions of your interviewer is highly recommended and shows that you are interested in the company and even the interviewer themselves. Hearing about the interviewer’s role in the company and what they did to get there will help you get ahead if you are offered the position. This is especially true if the hiring manager works in the department you would work in if hired.

Asking the interviewer about their job will also give you insight into the industry as a whole as well as whether you would enjoy doing work at the interviewer’s level. The hiring manager most likely has a more advanced title than the position you’re applying for, so these questions will give you a good idea of what it takes to move up in the company and if that’s something you’d be interested in.

Learn more: 8 Questions You Should Absolutely Ask An Interviewer

Benefits of asking the hiring manager about their job

There are several benefits to asking the hiring manager about their job. These benefits include:

• You’ll get advice and insight from an industry expert or person in a management position that can help you advance in your career.
• You can learn about what it took for the hiring manager to advance within in the company.
• You will show the interviewer you are interested in their personal experience in the organization.
• You’ll demonstrate genuine interest and excitement about the company.
• You’ll appear prepared for the interview and show that you put thought into the questions you’re asking.

Learn more: How to Network

Questions to ask an interviewer about their job during an informational interview

The following are several questions to consider asking the interviewer about their job during an interview:

• What are your typical day-to-day responsibilities in your current position?
• How did you get to where you are today in this organization?
• What are some challenges you’ve faced in your current position?
• What are some challenges you faced while working toward your current position?
• How is your performance measured in your position?
• How do you measure the performance of the employees you oversee?
• What other departments do you work with?
• What other functions are you responsible for on a regular basis outside of your day-to-day duties?
• How do you anticipate working with the person who is hired for this role?
• What is your favorite part about working with this company?
• What do you like least about working for this organization?
• Who would you consider your biggest competitor? Why?
• Are you excited about any anticipated changes in the company or industry and why?
• What are your most important values in terms of your job in this organization?
• What are your favorite parts about the company culture?
• Do you attend any company events? If so, do you enjoy them?
• How do you manage your time in your role here?
• What is your favorite part of your current position?
• What hard skills would someone in your position need?
• What soft skills would someone in your position need?
• What inspired you to pursue this particular career path?
• How long have you worked in this particular industry?
• Where did you go to school? What subject did you study in school?
• What’s your highest level of education?
• Who inspires you in terms of your career?
• What was the first job you held?
• How long have you worked for this organization?
• What would you consider more valuable — your experience or your education?
• Do you like this company more than other companies you’ve worked for?
• What other companies have you worked for and what were your roles at those companies?
• What are your hobbies and do they relate to your career?
• How do you keep up-to-date on industry trends and news?
• Do you participate in any regular training to help you in your position?
• Do you hold any special certifications for your current position?
• Did you have to develop new skills for your current role in this company?
• What’s the best career decision you’ve made?
• What would you consider your greatest strengths in terms of your career?
• What would you consider your greatest weaknesses in terms of your career?
• Do you participate in any kind of professional development outside of work?
• What is your decision-making process at work?
• What would you consider the most important factor of your career success to-date?
• What are your career goals for the next 10 years?
• How do you keep a healthy work-life balance, and is that challenging in this organization?
• Would you consider yourself emotionally intelligent? Is this an important component of your current position?
• What techniques do you use to motivate your team and yourself at work?
• Are you currently working towards a promotion or advancement within the company?
• What skills would you consider essential for your position?
• What is your decision-making process at work?
• How do you handle stressful situations in your day-to-day work life?