Asking sharp questions in an interview does more than fill silence — it signals preparation, reveals culture and expectations, and helps you decide if the role truly fits. This guide gives you what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer, explains why each works, shows how to adapt them for sales or college contexts, and gives practical tips to deliver them with confidence.
Why does knowing what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer matter
Demonstrate engagement and critical thinking rather than passive interest.
Surface red flags (high turnover, unclear goals, misaligned expectations).
Help you map your skills to the role and show strategic fit.
Knowing what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer matters because questions are part of your assessment toolkit. Good questions:
Research-backed guidance encourages candidates to use interview time to learn and evaluate as much as to pitch themselves The Muse, HBR. Asking tailored, insightful questions is a consistent differentiator in hiring outcomes.
What are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer and why do they work
Below are the curated top 10 questions, each bolded with a short rationale and how to adapt contextually.
What does a typical day or week look like in this role
Why it works: Reveals daily priorities, tempo, and task mix so you can judge fit and prepare examples that match. Use this early to show you want to hit the ground running The Muse.
What are the biggest challenges someone in this position would face
Why it works: Uncovers obstacles and tests your problem-solving framing. If the answer highlights product gaps or process constraints, you can offer relevant past wins.
What skills or qualities make someone successful here
Why it works: Aligns your strengths to their priorities and gives language to use in follow-ups. This echoes hiring criteria and signals you want to meet expectations HBR.
What are the most immediate projects I'd be working on
Why it works: Shows you’re focused on short-term impact and helps you describe how you’d contribute from day one. Great in later-stage interviews when specifics matter.
How does this role contribute to the company's goals
Why it works: Demonstrates strategic thinking and interest in outcomes beyond tasks — a signal of high-potential hires Société Générale Careers.
What are the team's biggest challenges or missing skills
Why it works: Reveals team dynamics and where you could fill gaps. This helps you position your collaborative strengths and real examples.
How is performance measured and reviewed
Why it works: Clarifies success metrics and feedback cadence — essential to avoid surprises later and to show you value measurable results Indeed.
What opportunities exist for growth or training
Why it works: Signals long-term interest and helps you evaluate the company’s commitment to development and retention Indeed.
How has the company or your role evolved recently
Why it works: Tests for agility, growth, and whether the company is transparent about change. Asking the interviewer about their own experience can make this personal and revealing.
What's your favorite part about working here
Why it works: Builds rapport and yields honest culture signals. The interviewer’s passion or hesitation can be highly telling.
These ten questions cover role specifics (1–4), team/org fit (5–7), development (8), and personal insight (9–10). Use them flexibly rather than as a script.
How can you use what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer by category
Organize questions by theme so you can pick 3–5 based on the stage and type of interview.
| Category | Sample questions (derived from what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer) | Why include |
|---|---|---|
| Job / Role Specifics | Typical day? Immediate projects? Success skills? Biggest challenges? | Prepares you for realities, shows research and readiness The Muse. |
| Team & Culture | Team dynamics? Manager style? Traditions? Favorite things about working here? | Assesses fit and collaboration; reveals unwritten rules HBR. |
| Company Vision | How does this role tie to company goals? Recent changes? Growth plans? | Connects daily work to strategy and future direction. |
| Development | Training? Career progression? Performance review process? | Signals ambition and helps forecast growth opportunities Indeed. |
| Interviewer Insights | How has your role changed? What excites you about the company? | Builds rapport and yields candid perspectives; great for closing a conversation Société Générale Careers. |
Use this quick table as a pick-list: prepare 3–5 tailored questions and choose 1–2 extras to follow natural conversation.
What common mistakes happen when using what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
Candidates often trip up in four ways when applying what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer:
Asking basics you could have researched (e.g., “What does the company do?”) — fix: research beforehand and focus on specifics The Muse.
Sounding presumptuous (e.g., “When do I start?” in initial rounds) — fix: read the room and save close-ended assumptions for offers.
Bringing up salary or benefits too early — fix: let the interviewer surface compensation timing or wait until later-stage conversations Indeed.
Forgetting follow-ups that deepen answers — fix: use prompts like “Building on that…” to convert a question into a discussion HBR.
Solution: prep a short list, practice transitions, and prioritize questions that advance both your evaluation and their understanding of you.
How should you prepare delivery and follow up for what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
Preparation and delivery turn good questions into memorable moments.
Prep strategy: Research company pages, recent news, and the job description; pick 3–5 prioritized questions from what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer and write one follow-up for each The Muse.
Timing: Ask 2–3 questions at the end, but weave at least one throughout the interview when it fits naturally (e.g., after a topic about team challenges).
Turn questions into conversation: Use “Building on that…” or “Can you give an example?” to show curiosity and listening.
Nonverbal delivery: Maintain eye contact, nod, and mirror enthusiasm. Treat Q&A like dialogue, not a checklist HBR.
Post-interview follow-up: Send a thank-you email that references a meaningful answer to one of your questions — it reinforces interest and recall Indeed.
Pro tip: Prioritize based on the interview stage: early screens — focus on company vision and culture; later rounds — dig into role specifics and metrics.
How do you adapt what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer for sales calls or college interviews
Adaptation keeps the same high-level intent but changes focus and language.
Swap “What does a typical day look like?” for “What are the highest-priority outcomes you’re trying to achieve this quarter?”
Use pain-focused probes like “What challenges are preventing you from reaching that outcome?” to uncover needs and position your solution. The goal is discovery and alignment, not evaluation.
Sales calls
Replace role specifics with academic fit: “What skills or experiences help students thrive here?”
Ask about student life, alumni outcomes, and interdisciplinary opportunities. These questions show maturity and long-term thinking.
College interviews
Across contexts, keep to 3–5 strong questions that demonstrate you listened and are thinking two steps ahead.
How can Verve AI Copilot help you with what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you craft, practice, and personalize what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer. Verve AI Interview Copilot generates tailored question lists based on the job description, suggests follow-ups tied to real company news, and lets you rehearse using realistic mock interviews. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to get instant feedback on phrasing and delivery, then export a concise question sheet to reference during interviews. Learn more at https://vervecopilot.com
What are the next steps after practicing what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
Finalize 3–5 prioritized questions and one backup question for each theme.
Practice aloud with timing and natural transitions; mark which question to ask at which stage.
Use the questions to build brief talking points that link your experience to their needs.
After the interview, send a thank-you note that references a specific answer to one of your questions to reinforce fit and follow-up.
Apply deliberate practice: the better you prepare and personalize what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer, the more natural and impactful your conversations will be.
What are the most common questions about what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
Q: How many of what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer should I prepare
A: Prepare 3–5 prioritized questions and a couple backups to adapt naturally.
Q: Should I ask all what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer every time
A: No, pick those most relevant to the role and stage; others can appear in follow-ups.
Q: Can I write what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer in my notes
A: Yes; keep them brief and practice phrasing so they sound conversational.
Q: Is it okay to ask an interviewer about salary among what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
A: Generally wait until later rounds unless the interviewer brings it up first.
Q: How do I follow up based on answers to what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
A: Reference specifics in your thank-you email and connect them to your skills.
Conclusion: How to practice and personalize what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer
Good questions separate candidates who are curious and strategic from those who are merely reactive. Use the curated list above as a foundation — personalize each question to the role, stage, and person you’re speaking with. Practice transitions, listen actively, and always aim to convert a question into a two-way conversation. That combination of preparation, adaptation, and follow-up is how you turn what are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer into real advantage.
51 Interview Questions You Should Be Asking The Muse
38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview Harvard Business Review
What Questions to Ask in a Recruitment Interview Société Générale Careers
Questions to Ask in an Interview Indeed
Further reading and sources
Good luck — prepare thoughtfully, ask strategically, and use the answers you get to make the best decision for your career.
