It happened: you were selected for an interview.
Congratulations! That’s a big step in the application process. You’re probably now doing your due diligence and preparing to answer questions—researching the job description or program office, ensuring you’re ready to speak to your own experience, and practicing with sample interview questions. These are all great preparation steps to take.
However, if you really want to stand out to the person conducting your interview, you should also have some questions prepared to ask them. After all, they aren’t just trying to determine if you’re the best fit for the position—you’re also trying to determine if this is a job you want. Coming to your interview prepared to ask questions demonstrates your level of interest and commitment to finding the right role.
5 Questions to Ask in Your Interview
While many of the questions you may have will depend on the specific role and responsibilities, here are a few sample questions to help you get started preparing your list.
- What does a typical day look like in this role? This question can both give you a better idea of your potential day-to-day tasks and show how you’re considering the smaller details of the position.
- How is performance measured and reviewed? By asking this question, you can indicate that you are focused on meeting and exceeding objectives—while also gaining insight into expectations.
- What do you enjoy most about working here? This can give you insights into the workplace culture, as well as help you get to know the preferences of someone you hope to work for.
- Do you have any concerns about my experience that I can address? By giving the interviewer an opening to address concerns, you give yourself the chance to ensure they don’t go unanswered.
- What are the next steps in the hiring process? This question is ideal to ask toward the end of your interview and allows you to know what to expect next.
Final tips
While these are great examples of generic questions you can ask for most types of interviews, one of the best tips we can give you about asking questions during your interview is to be a good listener. By asking questions that build off the organic conversation, you can appear less rehearsed and more engaged. For instance, if your interviewer mentioned a specific project or responsibility that you’d like to know more about, bring it up when it’s your turn to ask questions.
Interviews can feel like a stressful part of the job application process—but that’s where preparation comes in. Taking the time to write down some questions you plan to ask will help you feel calm, prepared, and ready to prove why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Work at VA
Go into your interview with confidence and join the VA mission, where we’re All About Veterans. Check out these additional resources to aid in your VA job hunt:
- READ more job news and advice.
- EXPLORE opportunities and get career guidance.
- LEARN about the application timeline.
- SEARCH for the job you want at VA Careers.
