Answering the interview question: “Do you have any questions for us?”

Answering the interview question “Do you have any questions for us?”is the topic of this careers advice article from Senex Recruitment. Part of our series on interview technique to make sure you secure that next job.

Senex Recruitment and Interview coaching

Interview coaching is one of those extra that are included when you register as a candidate with Senex Recruitment. We do not want to tell you what to say in an interview, which defeats the point. However, helping you with how to approach an interview is a fundamental part of our services.

Because interviews are not a regular occurrence for many people but are an integral part of recruiting. Senex Recruitment has years of experience and knowledge about interviewing. We not only enjoy helping candidate access this knowledge and achieve their best, we also see improving your interview technique as the development of a vital life skill. Interview techniques can be applied to everyday situations, from presentations, business meetings to consultations.

Improving how you perform in an interview is not just about answering questions. So, today we are going to look at that time in an interview when the tables are turned. The often-dreaded moment when the interview asks, “Do you have any questions for us?”

Why answering the interview question “Do you have any questions for us?” is important

When a job interview is wrapping up, you're likely to hear the question, “Do you have any questions for us?”

While it might seem routine, this is a very important moment to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the role and the company. As a recruiter we have often received feedback from clients along the lines of:

“Technically a superb candidate with excellent engineering knowledge, however they just did not seem to be enthusiastic. They did not have any questions for us”

Therefore, being prepared to ask insightful and thoughtful questions is vital for interview success.

In this guide, we'll break down different ways this question can be phrased, why interviewers ask it, and how to prepare a thoughtful response. Plus, we’ll share some example questions you can use as a template.

Different Ways Interviewers Might Ask this question.

Interviewers can phrase this question in various ways, such as:

“Have you got any questions for us/me?”
“What are your thoughts on the role so far?”
“Do you have any more questions?”

Be prepared and think like a lawyer or salesperson. Why is the interviewer asking me the question and what are they looking. Always be empathetic and try and understand why?

Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?

There are a couple of reasons interviewers ask if you have any questions:

They’re considerate and want to give you a chance to clear up any concerns or curiosities you might have about the role and the company.
They’re looking to learn more about how you think. The types of questions you ask reflect your level of interest, curiosity, and seriousness about the position.
They are trying to get a deeper understanding of your reasons for looking for a job. Your questions can give insight into the real reason why you are looking. I.e. Questions over salary and benefits usually indicate that this is a major motivator for you job search. Save those discussions for after you’ve received a job offer.

So, it’s always a good idea to come prepared with a few questions to ask. This will help showcase your thoughtfulness and desire for the role.

How to Prepare Your Questions

The secret to asking impressive questions is doing your homework. Before the interview, make sure you research:

The company’s key products, services, or initiatives
Any significant challenges the company is facing
Their biggest competitors
Industry best practices that could apply to the role
Employee reviews (both current and past)
The interviewer’s background, if you know who they are ahead of time get onto LinkedIn
Publications or articles written by the interviewer or other senior employees

Example Questions You Can Ask

Naturally, the questions you ask will depend on what you're most curious about. Also, be mindful that you are not repeating topics covered in the interview. If you are going to, acknowledged this by saying “please remind me…. “

Here are some examples of questions to ask and interviewer, broken down by topic:

Questions About the Job Itself

What does a typical day in this role look like?
What’s the top priority for this position?
Who are the key stakeholders for this role?
Can you describe a project I’d be working on?
How does [company name] plan to stand out from [competitor name]?
What are the company’s goals for this year and the next few years?
How can the person in this role help you meet your goals?

Clarify Performance Expectations

What does success look like in this position?
What are your expectations for the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
What KPIs are used to measure performance?
How does the performance review process work?

Inquire About the Team

Who would I be working with most closely?
How big is the team, and what are the other roles within it?
Are there plans to expand the team in the next six months?

Asking About the Interviewer

What’s your favourite part about working here?
How do you help your team develop professionally?
What’s your feedback/management style?

Explore the Company Culture

How would you describe the work environment?
What are the company’s key values?
Does the team socialize outside of work hours?
Are there regular social events?
What do people usually do for lunch?
How is working here different from other places you’ve worked?
What’s the company’s approach to diversity and inclusion?

Find out about Employee Development

Have members of the team been promoted internally?
What percentage of managers are promoted from within?
Is there a budget for training and development?

Understand more about the Next Steps

What’s the next step in the hiring process?
When can I expect to hear back about the outcome?
Earlier, we discussed [topic from the interview] – is there any more information I can provide?

Concluding our article; Answering the interview question“Do you have any questions for us?”

By preparing thoughtful and well-researched questions, you'll demonstrate that you're genuinely invested in both the role and the company's long-term success. This level of preparation sets you apart from other candidates, showcasing your critical thinking, engagement, and enthusiasm. The impression you leave can significantly influence the outcome of the interview—potentially leading to a more competitive job offer, a higher salary, or even being considered for a more senior role than originally anticipated. Employers appreciate candidates who show they’ve done their homework, as it signals a strong fit and commitment to their team.

You have nothing to lose and a huge amount to gain by preparing well and answering the interview question "do you have any questions for us?"

Senex Recruitment is here to help you in your job search

We hope you have found this career advice article of use. We would like to remind you that our consultants are always happy to support you in job hunting and will offer insightful advice to help you in interviews.

Remember as a candidate when using a recruitment consultancy there is no cost for any of our services. This is a legal requirement. So do not hesitate to contact us for careers advice and to instruct us to start a tailored proactive job search on your behalf.

Follow us on our social media channels to receive more careers advice from Senex Recruitment. Along with our latest Jobs in the Science, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology sector.