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Who do you think would be the ideal candidate for this position, and how do I compare? -

This is a great end-of-interview question as it's a quick way to assess not only what the company is currently looking for in a candidate but also how they see you and your skills aligning. It's better to know where you stand earlier rather than wasting time on subsequent, fruitless interviews.

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Who would I be reporting to? Are those people on the same team or on different teams? What's the pecking order? -

It's important to know who you'll be working for as each week you'll be spending approximately 40 hours together. Ask a follow-up question about how managers handle different scenarios related to relaying or sharing information.

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How has this position evolved? -

This particular question has a simple purpose, and that is to let you know if this job has been more of a dead-end job or one that's a stepping stone to future, better positions. If it's a new role, you can ask how they foresee the role progressing going forward.

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How would you describe the company's culture? -

Remember, you're not the only one selling yourself in an interview. Asking about the company's culture shows them that you care and are interested in the philosophy of the company, as well as its emphasis (or lack thereof) on employee happiness.

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Who do you consider your major competitors? How are you better? -

This question can be challenging to ask, but it's well worth it. It demonstrates to the potential employer that you're thinking strategically about how you can help the company achieve its larger objectives.

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Beyond the hard skills required to successfully perform this job, what soft skills would serve the company and position best? -

Hard skills are important in a role, but knowing how the company views softer skills can speak multitudes to their culture and management values. Knowing this information will allow you to assess whether you feel a connection to the company exists.

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Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? -

This is a bold question that might leave you feeling a bit vulnerable. However, it shows that you are confident enough in yourself and your abilities to openly bring the topic up and discuss potential weaknesses with a potential employer.

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What do you like most about working for this company? -

Having insight into what the interviewer likes most is valuable from two perspectives. First, it allows the interviewer to talk about themselves and their likes (which people love to do). Second, it gives you a bit of an insider's perspective of the best parts of a company.

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Can you give me an example of how I would collaborate with my manager? -

It's important to find out what kind of manager you'll potentially be working with. Will the new manager micro-manage you or take a more hands-off approach and give you the autonomy you need to make important, job-related decisions?

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Can you tell me what steps need to be completed before your company can generate an offer? -

Oftentimes, the hiring timeline can be a bit of a mystery for candidates. Companies have their timelines and agendas they must adhere to above all else. So, when you have the opportunity to ask, do so. Also, ask about an 'offer' rather than a 'decision' as it shows confidence.

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How would you score the company on living up to its core values? What's the one thing you're working to improve on? -

This particular question is seen as a respectful way to ask about potential shortcomings before joining a company. It also shows that you take the initiative to find out more before fully investing yourself.

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What are the challenges of this position? -

The interviewer should have at least one or two responses to this question, as no matter the role, there will always be some challenges. If the interviewer says there are none, be cautious in proceeding further.

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What have past employees done to succeed in this position? / What could people in this role in the past have done better? -

This question has a bit of a hidden meaning, and that is to understand how the company measures success in practical terms. It will show you what you need to accomplish to be considered successful and potentially progress in your field or role.

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If you were to hire me, what might I expect in a typical day? -

Understanding the 'typical' day will help paint a better picture of whether this is the right role for you. Knowing the responsibilities and expectations will help ensure this is a job you want and that it's one you can perform well in. It also shows your eagerness about the role.

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What type of employee tends to succeed here? What qualities are the most important for doing well and advancing? -

First and foremost, this question shows you envision a long-term career at the company and, on top of that, that you care about your future there. The candidate the interviewer describes should sound a lot like you (in the case it's a good fit).

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Is there anyone else I need/you'd like me to meet with? -

If your interviewer wants you to meet colleagues or superiors, that says a lot about how they currently view you in their mind. Additionally, it will help you get a better idea of how many more stages are left in the hiring process.

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How do you help your team grow professionally? -

This is a particularly important question for hourly workers to ask in an interview. Typically, hourly jobs have high turnover, so companies are always looking for people who are more long-term thinking.

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When your staff comes to you with conflicts, how do you respond? -

At one point or another, conflict in a career or company is bound to happen. However, knowing how a company typically deals with it will help give you a clear picture of the company's culture. Additionally, it shows that you have a higher level of thinking and know that while disagreements happen, there are professional ways to resolve them.

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Will I have an opportunity to meet those who would be part of my staff/my manager during the interview process? -

For some companies, the answer to this question will be something along the lines of "we don't have time" or even a simple "no." For those, proceed with caution. If a company is interested and invested in you, they will make the time to start incorporating you into the team, even before hiring you.

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How do you evaluate success here? -

Do the company's ideals of success align with your professional mission? Knowing how they measure their employees' success will say a lot about the company and your chances of succeeding there.

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What are some of the problems your company faces right now? -

When asking this question, you'll likely get a lot of insight into both the company and the individual interviewer's personality and ambitions. This is a great starting point from which to ask other questions.

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What is your department doing to solve current problems? -

Is your potential employer more active, or do they take a backseat, more passive approach? Asking not only what the problems are but how they're being addressed shows you have a solution-oriented mindset.

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What's your timeline for making a decision, and when can I expect to hear back from you? -

This is a great question, as it shows you're interested in the role and want to know when you'll know more. It also will help you determine things like when to write a follow-up note or, in the worst-case scenario, how long to wait before moving on to other opportunities.

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Is this a new position? If not, why did the person before me leave this role? -

This potentially uncomfortable question still shows that you're being smart about what might be ahead of you. Knowing why another failed in the role before you or chose to leave (aside from a promotion) can say a lot about the role and its expectations.

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Where do you see the company in three years and how would the person in this role contribute to this vision? -

Big-picture thinking is important to companies and interviewers alike. It shows that you're considering staying with the company for the long haul and are motivated to make an impact in this role—and potentially others.

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I read X about your CEO in Y magazine. Can you tell me more about this? -

Questions like this show the interviewer that you've done your homework. It also shows that you genuinely care about the company and its leadership.

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How do you handle new business pitches? Who gets involved in generating new business at this company? -

This is such a great question and one that not many are likely to think to ask. This question signals to the company that you know that to be a successful business, everyone has to pitch in. Star performers usually help across the business, not just in their individual departments.

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What's your staff turnover rate and what are you doing to reduce it? -

Some turnover is inevitable, but how high it is can vary greatly from company to company. Understanding how much turnover is happening, why, and what's being done to combat it can help you feel more comfortable that your future job is, at least, mostly secure.

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Is there anything else I can provide to help you make your decision? -

This simple question can finish off a great interview with a positive bang. It shows polished enthusiasm and will leave you with peace of mind that you did and said all you could have. 

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Why did you choose to work at this company? -

Slightly different than the earlier question of "What do you like most about working at this company?" this particular question lends itself to why the interviewer originally chose the company before they knew what they know now. In short, when they were in your shoes, what tipped the scale for them and their decision?
Sources: (Business Insider)
See also: Stress-free jobs with high salaries

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