A common mistake candidates make during the interview phase is not asking the right questions. What some don’t realize is that the interview is a way for you to learn and understand the role and your fit with the company. It is important to answer standard interview questions well, but it is just as critical to ask questions that allow you to assess your fit at the company.

When you leave an interview you should have accomplished 3 goals:

1. Find out if the employer is the right fit for you
2. Make sure the interviewer has no reservations about you
3. Demonstrate your interest in the employer

If you keep these three goals in mind, coming up with questions should come easy. Forbes recommends having at least 3-5 interview questions prepared with the intention of asking 3 of them; it is better to be over prepared than under!

Below are 10 question we recommend you ask to help determine if a job is right for you:

1. Can you describe the culture of the company? This is very important for you to know before coming into an organization. Is the culture quiet and low key? Loud and energetic? Compare their answer to your personality and work style.
2. Why is the position available? Is there an open position because the previous employee was promoted? Did they leave the organization? Is the company growing and they need more support? Knowing the answer to this question will give you an idea of if the company advances employees or if employees are leaving, and if the company is growing and doing well.
3. What is currently a big problem facing your staff? This shows a firm that you are already thinking about how you can contribute to the team. It also encourages the interviewer to picture you in the position. You can follow up this question with “how would I be in a position to help solve this problem?”
4. Can you tell me about the team I will be working with? The phrasing of this question is good because its bold. It implies that you will get the position and presents confidence. In addition, it is a follow up to the culture question. You should know about the people you will be interacting with every day.
5. What skills and experiences would make me an ideal candidate? This is a chance for the interviewer to spill exactly what they are looking for in a candidate. Based on their answer you will have a better idea of your fit for the role.
6. What is your favorite part about working here? Asking this question allows the chance for you and the interviewer to connect on a more personal level. When they share their feelings with you, you will gain unique insight into job satisfaction of current employees.
7. What measures success in this role? This fully demonstrates that you care about being successful and want to know what that looks like. It tells you how you’d be able to get ahead and if that is something you can do.
8. Do you offer professional training and continuing education? Its critical to know how an organization invests in their employees and by how much. Can you succeed in your role if there is a lack of training? Use this to show you want to grow with a role.
9. Where do you see this company in 5 years? I like this question because it shows you care about your future and are thinking about committing to the role. It also gives you insight into a company’s growth plans.
10. What are the next steps in the process? Save this question for last but certainly ask it, because it lets the hiring manager of your interest in continuing the process.

So remember, don’t just think of the interview as a way for an organization to assess your skills. Assess the company and the role for yourself, and see this as an opportunity to gain insight that can help you make a decision about accepting a job.

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Huhman, Heather. “7 Questions To Ask In Your Job Interview.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 16 May 2013. Web. 17 July 2017.

Konop, Joe. “10 Job Interview Questions You Should Ask.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 01 Apr. 2016. Web. 17 July 2017.