Job interview: 25 questions to ask the recruiter

Prepare for your job interview: discover a list of 25 relevant questions to ask the recruiter.

“Do you have any questions?”. It’s hard to predict how a job interview will go. But this famous question is usually unavoidable.

This is your moment to show the recruiter that you are genuinely interested in the position. Above all, it is an opportunity for you to learn more about the company you might be joining. Recruitment interviews serve both parties:

To the future employer, to learn more about your personality and check if your profile fits the role,
To you, the candidate, to make sure the position and the company are also right for you.

But beware! Making the mistake of asking questions that show a lack of preparation on your part would be unfortunate. The main responsibilities of the role, the company’s values, or its main competitors: these answers can usually be found in the job posting and online.

So, to avoid any missteps and boost your chances of landing the job, we have selected 25 relevant questions for you to ask the recruiter at the end of a job interview.

Questions about the job position

These questions should be at the heart of the conversation. Especially if certain aspects of the role seem unclear to you and the recruiter hasn’t clarified them during the interview. These questions also allow you to confirm that the responsibilities suit you.

What is the reason for this recruitment? (newly created role, handover, replacement...)
What does a typical workday look like in this role?
What elements of my background make you think I would be a good fit for this role? Why did you select my CV?
What qualities do you consider essential to succeed in this role?
How will the onboarding process work? (training, working alongside the outgoing employee...)

Questions about the hiring company

Asking the recruiter about the company demonstrates your motivation and interest. Again, make sure to only ask questions whose answers cannot be found online or haven't already been addressed by your interviewer. Well-targeted questions will give you insights into the company's future challenges, culture, and work environment.

Are all entities located on the same site?
Are there any international expansion plans for the group?
What is your favorite team tradition?
How would you describe the work environment here?
Has the company evolved significantly since you joined?

Questions about team structure

It's interesting to know who you'll be spending your days with! People shape the day-to-day work experience. Showing interest in your future team also helps you understand the corporate culture and envision yourself in the role.

Could you tell me a bit more about the team? (size, backgrounds, tenure of team members...)
Who will I be working with?
Who will be my manager and what are their responsibilities?
Are there team meetings, and how often are they held?
Can you briefly describe the organization's structure?

Questions about training and career development

You are going to invest yourself in a new role. Therefore, it is important to have a clear picture of potential career growth within the company. At the same time, these questions show the recruiter that you are eager to fully commit.

What criteria will be used to measure my performance?
How often do you evaluate employees' work?
Do you offer training? Do you have an onboarding training program for new employees?
What are the career progression opportunities for this role and within the company?
How does the performance evaluation process work?

Questions about the recruitment process

Before ending the interview, ensure the recruiter has all the information they might need to make their decision. Finally, ask about the next steps in the recruitment process. It is completely normal to ask for more information on this. It also shows that you care about the outcome.

Is there any point about my background or professional experience you would like to clarify?
What are the next steps in the recruitment process?
Would you like me to provide references or contact details for my current employer?
When can I expect to hear back from you?
What criteria will you use to make the final hiring decision?

"Practical" questions

Salary, paid leave, benefits, works council (CE), working hours… It's tempting, but we advise you to avoid these non-essential questions for now. Save them for a second interview, if there is one.

If you feel you must know more, be tactful: bring up these topics naturally during the conversation if the opportunity arises, rather than asking point-blank at the end of the interview.

A few extra tips!

Good to know: When preparing your questions for the interview, frame them in a way that helps the recruiter picture you in the role. For example, replace "What is the biggest challenge in this role?" with "What will be my biggest challenge once in the position?".

Additionally, show that you have prepared for the interview and are genuinely interested in the company by tailoring your questions. Rather than "What are the company's values?" (which you can usually find online), try: "While browsing your website, I read that your company values are values. How does this reflect in day-to-day work?".

Of course, these 25 questions are just examples... and you don't need to ask all of them to the recruiter. The goal is to show your curiosity and clarify any points that lack detail.

Summary

Number of questions:It is recommended to ask between three and four questions in total.
Priorities:Be sure to include one question about the next steps of the hiring process and one about the job duties.
Dynamics:Build on what the recruiter says during the interview to create a real dialogue rather than going through a fixed list.

To prepare your interview and application properly, find all our tips on our blog. Ready to apply? Explore our online job offers now!