8 Smart Questions To Ask Hiring Managers In A Job Interview

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Want to know what smart interview questions you should ask hiring managers in a job interview? You're in the right place.

One of the most IMPORTANT job interview questions is actually, "Do you have any questions for me?" Answer it wrong, and you'll DESTROY your chances of getting the job.

Hiring managers expect you to have interview questions of your OWN when you come in for a job interview. It shows that you value yourself enough to make sure this company is the right fit for you.

In this tutorial, career expert J.T. O'Donnell reveals eight smart questions you should ALWAYS ask during job interviews...

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[beardedgrandpagaming]

Would it look bad if I came to the interview with my question written down?

[destinygonzalez]

Okay everyone, so I just got a job as a case manager for the department of children's services. I have no experience, just a degree in psychology. I was so worried that I wouldn't stand out amongst the other candidates because 1. I do not have children, 2. I am young, and 3. my experience was in retail/food management, so I decided to find ways to make myself appear more qualified. I came across this video and added those questions to the end of my interview. Let me tell you, they were surprised! They said "Wow.." when I asked them about themselves.. I truly wanted them to know that I was not only interested in the position, but that I was interested in building relationships with the staff. These questions made a huge difference in my interview. I beat 8 other people who were highly qualified and feel extremely proud of myself. I had to come back to this video and let everyone know that this video is going to make a huge difference in the way your interview goes.

[poochyboi]

Interviewer: why did you apply for this job?

Me: I have a burning passion to be able to afford food.

[bychen]

Interview: Do you have any questions?

Me: Yes. Tell me about yourself.

[hazel]

This works! I’m not joking. I just got my dream job!


I’ve been applying, interviewing and being unsuccessful for over a year since moving to this new town. I would never ask questions as I felt that there wasn’t anything needed to ask after they explained the job for me.

I asked them “what do they love about working there” and “what challenges are they facing and how will my job overcome it”

They were so impressed and loved talking about why they love their jobs and the manager LOVED the challenge question. It showed how much he loves his job and wants his company to grow stronger.

I applied yesterday, just got a phone call then saying I’ve got the job! My hearts racing so fast cause I had my doubts but holy crap. I actually got the job y’all!!

I want to thank you JT for this video. This video helped me get this job and you’ve honestly saved my future.

[Stoutenburgerr]

I had a panel interview for a veterinary clinic today and modified this as "What is the clinics biggest challenge this year, and how can this role help overcome it?" This stumped all 3 interviewers to the point where one said "Okay time out. That was a great question." This was an extremely useful question! Highly recommend!

[fitwithmin]

I asked the Ceo and Founder “what’s the company’s biggest challenge and how will my role help overcome that challenge?” He was stunned. He said “That’s a great question”, and took a while to think

[hayesprincess]

No lie, I just had a phone interview and I can tell you I won't be getting the job. And let me be clear, Im perfectly ok with it. This is not the place for me. I asked the 8 question and I thought they were reasonable question to ask. But to my dismay, the hiring manager thought I was "too negative." He's words not mine. He said and I quote, "you asked about our CHALLENGES and passed employees that DIDN'T succeed." And went on to say "It seems like you were looking for an opportunity to problem solve." YES! YES! YES! I want to know how I can be of service. I want to know what you need from me, and what's expected of me. I want to know what burdens I can alleviate. He was looking for someone with "positive energy", but then complained about his high turn over rate. He couldn't keep anyone in the management position due to "they don't want to really work" Well, I'm a candidate that's literally asking to be challenged, and he rebuked my efforts.
Thank you so much for these question. I feel so empowered!

[MsStreetalk]

One of the questions I always ask when interviewing is "Tell me what your ideal candidate would accomplish in the first 90 days in this position." And then I take notes of what they tell me. They seem to like this question.

[sirkevstah]

I just did an interview yesterday and used a lot of these questions. She was impressed and said no one I interview asks these questions. Four hours later I got an email offering me the position. Thank you sooo much! This is my first official job. A Pharmacy Technician. An excellent start to get my career going. Thanks again!

[frantzalcindor]

In preparation for my interview for my dream job I watched this video. I was hired. On the first day I started my new job, one of my interviewers came to me and said what impressed him most about me were the questions I asked at the end of the interview. Thank you JT.

[lilys_life]

These questions worked so well; both people who interviewed me were so shocked by the questions they just kept on smiling while answering them. The both said they've never had such good challenging questions in all their interviewing years.

[iaraculonna]

1. How did you come to work here?
2. What do you love most about working here?
3. Who’s the most successful recent hire and why?
4. Who didn’t succeed as a new hire and why?
5. What’s the biggest company’s challenge this year and how will this job help overcome it?
6. How will I measure my performance so I know I’m having a positive impact on this challenge?
7. What additions skills or experience do you wish I had that would make me a better fit for this job?
8. What are the next steps in the process?

[Persemb]

I just want to thank you for these questions! Here's my story:

On my last interview I planned to take a two-hour train to the city. This would give me some extra time to do some extra preps for the interview. Because of traffic to the train station, I didn't catch the train. Now I had to either wait for the next train and be late, or drive to the city. I drove, but now I couldn't do the preps I had planned to do.

I got outside of the office 30-45 minutes before the interview started, so I thought "why not check out some tips". I stumbled over this video, and noted (and translated) all of the questions. That's one of the best things I could do that day!

I did the interview, and at the very end of it they asked me if I had any questions. "As a matter of fact, I do have some!". After the interview, one of the hiring managers told me; "that was actually one of the best interviews I've been to!". I'm far from the ideal "seller" type that has the ability to impress and persuade - abilities I think are very helpful in interview scenarios.

Two weeks later I got the phone, telling me I got the job if I still wanted it. I managed to get my dream job, and these questions - I was told - along with the preps I did beforehand, personal interests and academic background - helped me to get the job, competing with people having more experience than me.

One long year in the job seeking process. I'm glad it was 'only' a year. Thank you, and good luck to everyone. Never give up!

[lakeishadavis]

OMGG--Thank you so much!!! I used 3 of these questions this past Thursday, they were so impressed. I GOT THE JOB !

[bobjordan]

Let me add #9. I've used this and it's remarkable how effective it is and positive and impressive. "Six months from now, what will I have done to cause you to say, 'Bob was a good hire.'" Lot's of advantages to this question. Shows your engaged and want to succeed and forces the manager to give you solid performance expectations and when they do then they know that you know what is expected and you can't miss is you perform. You do touch on this but wording it this way is sweet!

[cxa]

4 categories of questions: Connect, Culture, Challenges, Close


1. How did you come to work here?
2. What do you love most about working here?
3. Tell me about the most successful hire and why?
4. Who didn't succeed as a new hire and why?
5. Tell me about the company's biggest challenge this year and how will this job help to solve it?
6. How will I measure my performance so I know I'm having a positive impact?
7. If there were some skills or experience that you wish I had, what would they be?
8. What are the next steps in the process?

[jwyatt]

I watched this video to prepare for an interview and used some of the questions. The interviewers were visibly impressed. Two hours later when I got home I got a call from HR with a job offer! Thanks so much for the tips!!

[sirsweetness]

I used most of these recently and I knew I was throwing the interviewer into a sense of “where did this guy come up with these great questions?” His head would drop and he would smile really big and would come up and say...another great question. He told me that I had the most questions and the best questions he has ever had in an interview. He asked me if I was a professional interviewer. I just replied with “I want to make sure this opportunity is a good fit for you and I”. Lastly I asked for his business card and he told me that he usually does not give it out but since I had so many and great questions that he was going to give me his card. I wanted it to send a thank you email which i did.

[marahchriselle]

Just like almost all the people who said they got a job after asking some of these questions, I assure you it's true. I asked three of these questions during my interview and my interviewers were so impressed. I got a call from HR a couple hours after the interview telling me I've been offered the position. I've been job searching for almost 6 months and this nailed it. Thank God and Thank you J.T.! :)