You’re killing it. You’ve answered all of the questions your interviewer has thrown at you so far. You’ve used the STAR methodology to handle your behavioural questions, you’ve researched the company and know which strengths to speak to, and you’ve spoken eloquently and confidently. Then, the hiring manager asks you one final question at the end of the interview:

“Do you have any questions for me?”

Crap. You’re caught flat-footed, and left asking tired, pointless questions because you didn’t prepare in advance for this one.

Remember, you’re interviewing your prospective employer just as much as they’re interviewing you. Most employers will ask leave time at the end of the interview for you to ask questions, and it would be a mistake not to take that opportunity. Asking the right questions can show the hiring manager that you’ve done your research, and are invested in the opportunity.

Here are five questions that can help you position yourself as the rockstar that you are.

#1: What is the biggest opportunity you’re hoping the successful candidate can help you tackle?

This question will tell you more about the role, and the specific problems the company wants it to help solve. Learning more about these opportunities can give you a better understanding of how your background and skills fit in… and if you have a better understanding, it’s easier for you to show your hiring manager exactly how your background makes you the perfect person for the job.

#2: Beyond this open role, have there been any other barriers to pursuing that opportunity?

If you ask question #1, this one can make for a great follow-up. It’s helpful for you to know in advance if there are any major barriers to achieving what the hiring manager would like for you to achieve in the role.

Maybe there are technological barriers to implementing a new solution, or maybe there’s a senior leader who refuses to buy into the idea. Asking this question helps you understand exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

#3: What is the most challenging part of this job?

If you don’t ask the first two questions, this is a more generally-applicable one that can give you some helpful information. Every hiring manager will sell the role on their team; it’s their job, and they want the best candidate possible.

What they won’t often volunteer, on the other hand, is what sucks about the job. Asking this question can help you get underneath that a bit more. You’ll likely receive a downplayed answer, but it will be more information than you had before.

#4: How is success measured in this role?

When it comes time for performance reviews, how will your leader judge your success or failure? Getting clarity on this one in advance tells you exactly what you need to be focusing your energy on as you take on the new role.

And if the hiring manager gives you a vague answer? Watch out.

That’s a red flag that suggests that they don’t actually know what success looks like, which leaves your performance up to the whims and subjective opinion of your manager. I’ve been in that position before, and it’s not pleasant.

#5: Do you have any concerns about my qualifications?

This is a cheeky one, but it gives the hiring manager the opportunity to cldear the air about any misgivings they may have about your qualifications. It’s a great way to get real-time feedback about your background and your fit for the role.

If there are gaps that are identified, finding out in the interview gives you a chance to talk through them with the hiring manager. Maybe it was a matter of you simply not elaborating enough; if you don’t ask, you may never find out!

Wrapping it Up

These are just a few potential questions to ask your hiring manager at the end of an interview. There are many others that I didn’t get to, like “How do you prefer to lead/interact with your team,” and so on. The important thing, though, is that, if you’re given the chance to ask questions, you should make sure to take it, and ask intelligent questions that show you care about the company and the opportunity. Doing so can set you apart from the competition and help you land that dream job!