Dad's Quick Take
Always have two or three questions ready. Ask about the role, the team, and what success looks like — not about pay or time off in the first interview. Asking nothing signals you don't care.
Great questions to ask
- What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
- What would success look like in the first 90 days?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- How does the team communicate and collaborate?
- What are the next steps in the process?
Save these for later
Pay, benefits, vacation, and 'how soon can I be promoted' are fair to discuss — but usually after they've shown real interest or made an offer. Leading with 'what's in it for me' early can read as the wrong priorities.
Why it works
Thoughtful questions flip the interview into a conversation between equals — and that's exactly the impression you want to leave.
Common questions
What if they answered all my questions already?
Say so, and ask a follow-up: 'You covered a lot — what's one thing that would make someone really succeed here?'