Job Interview 101:

Preparing for a job interview can seem incredibly daunting and overwhelming. How do you prepare for all of the potential questions you might be asked? What if you don’t say all the right words?

Whether this is your first gig out of college or your ultimate dream job, it’s important to understand the steps to take so you know how to ace an interview every time.
Don’t let yourself get caught up in “what ifs” and “what could have beens.” Instead, take the time and do the work to ensure you’re as prepared and ready to go as possible so you can knock the socks off your interviewer and score the job offer you’re looking for.
To help set you off on the right foot, we’ve compiled this fully comprehensive interview prep guide so that you have everything you need to know about preparing for and acing your next job interview.

We’ve broken this interview guide down into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: Do Your Research Before a Job Interview
Chapter 2: Your Interview Preparation Checklist
Chapter 3: What to Wear to an Interview
Chapter 4: How to Write an Elevator Pitch
Chapter 5: 11 Interview Tips to Make a Great Impression
Chapter 6: 25 Common Interview Questions and Answers
Chapter 7: 50 Questions to Ask in an Interview
Chapter 8: How to Close a Job Interview
Chapter 9: How to Write a Post-Interview Thank You Note

You don’t want to show up to an interview not knowing anything about the company you’re interviewing with. This is why it’s imperative to always do your research and check out the company’s online presence and reviews.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few areas you’ll definitely want to take a look at.

1. The Company’s Website
   

   Begin your research by heading to the company’s website. You want to get a good idea of their messaging and each of the product/service offerings they carry, as well as who the leadership team is.

   Explore the entire home page and take notes on the company’s unique selling proposition. If you’re interviewing to sell their product or service, you want to have a firm grasp on what sets their product apart from the rest.

   Furthermore, you also want to check out the website’s about page. Read all about their mission and make sure it aligns with your own values. 

   If they have a team page, study this as well, unless the team section is on the company’s about page. You want to have a good understanding of who the company’s leadership is as well as who you would be working with on your team.

   Take notes and keep reviewing them before you interview so you’ll be prepared to meet anyone they may want to introduce you to.

   RELATED: How to Find the Best Sales Companies

2. The Company’s Social Media Platforms

   The company’s website should have links to their social media platforms. Click over to those to see what their overall social media presence looks like.

   While sales isn’t directly linked to social media marketing, it can still be a good idea to understand if they’re doing any lead generation tactics through organic and paid social media content.

   You can also get a good idea of how the company prefers to market their products or services, furthering your understanding of their overall brand voice and messaging.

3. Check Out Competitors

   Take a look at some of the competition you could be dealing with if you get the role. Understand how their messaging differs from the company you’re interviewing with and – even more importantly – pay attention to where competitors fall short in comparison.

   Coming to the table ready to discuss why your potential company’s product beats out all of its competitors is a great way to prove that you can sell it.

4. Company Review Sites

   Pay attention to how past employees and customers talk about the company. You don’t want to end up working for a business that has such a bad reputation it’s nearly impossible to succeed on their sales team.

   Some company review sites to look through include:

   • Glassdoor 
   • Indeed
   • The Muse
   • Yelp
   • Google

5. LinkedIn Profiles

   Browse through LinkedIn profiles of your potential team to see how active they are and what their backgrounds look like. Find some common ground that you can use to help hit it off right from the start.

   RELATED: Attract Top Sales Recruiters on LinkedIn

6. Google News
   

   While this might not necessarily turn anything up, it’s still a good idea to see if there have been any major announcements or updates from the company you’ve applied to.

   Having this knowledge could help to shape some of your answers throughout your interview as well as prove to your interviewer that you’ve been paying attention.

    

To make sure you’re fully prepared before you go into your interview, run through this checklist so you can be absolutely sure you haven’t forgotten a single thing.

1. Research the Company
   

   Yes, I know. We just talked about this in chapter one, but it’s an important one to remember on your interview preparation checklist. Go through each of the items we discussed and take notes before you mark this one off your checklist.

2. Print Copies of Your Resume

   While you likely submitted a copy of your resume along with your application, it’s still a good practice to print off a few copies to bring along with you.

   You can keep one copy to refer to throughout the interview yourself, then hand out the remaining copies to each of the interviewers in the room. 

   Before you even get to the interview, be sure to do a quick runthrough of your resume. There’s a reason you got an interview, so you want to make sure you remember every line on your resume in case they question anything or want more information.

   RELATED: Resume Formatting Tips

3. Make a List of Accomplishments
   

   You want to sell yourself during your interview. Preparing a list of your top accomplishments ahead of time is a great way to have a bulleted list of items to refer to throughout your interview.

   Share sales goals you blew out of the water, revenue you generated for various companies and more in order to prove your value and what you can bring to the table.

4. Prepare a List of Questions

   As you do your research, come up with a list of questions you’d like to learn more about from the company, whether it’s about their product/service, sales processes, job description or anything else you can think of.

   Head over to chapter seven to find a full list of questions you might want to ask during your interview to ensure you have the full scope of the role and what would be expected of you.

5. Review the Job Description

   Don’t go into your job interview without being fully aware of every single bullet point listed in the job description of the role you applied for. Pay attention to the first few as those tend to be the most important items you’ll be taking care of.

   Reviewing the job description is important for two reasons – you don’t want anything to take you by surprise, but you also want to make sure you ask any questions about pieces of the job you might be unsure of.

   Furthermore, be sure to compare your own skills and experience with those mentioned on the job description so that you’re ready to share specifics on why you’re qualified to handle this role.

6. Rehearse Answering Common Questions

   We’ll cover this more in chapter six so you know which questions you should rehearse answers for, but it’s also an essential part of your interview prep checklist.

   You don’t only want to have an idea of the questions that you’ll be asked, you also want to practice saying your answers out loud. Have a friend stand in as the interviewer or rehearse your answers in the mirror.

   Be as prepared as possible with the expertise you want to promote so you can knock the socks off your interviewer.

7. Get Plenty of Rest

   Do all of your interview preparation well in advance so you’re able to get to sleep early the night before your interview and get plenty of rest. You don’t want sleep and a foggy brain to affect your performance and lose you the job.

8. Pick Out Your Outfit Beforehand

   We’re going to talk more about what you should wear to an interview in the next chapter to help you mark this one off your checklist.

   The night before your interview – or even earlier if you prefer – go through your closet or on a quick shopping trip so you have your outfit planned and laid out well ahead of time so you’re not scrambling to figure out what to wear before you head out the door.

   The best rule of thumb to follow is to get an idea of the company culture from their website – whether it’s more formal or business casual – and dress a little nicer than you might need to.

   After all, even companies that allow employees to wear jeans to work don’t want to see you in jeans during your interview when you’re trying to impress them.

9. Put Together a Folder to Bring With You

   Include copies of your resume, notes about the company, a list of questions to ask, references, pieces from your portfolio and anything else you may need in a manila folder or binder.

   Consider adding a few sheets of blank or lined paper for you to use to take notes throughout the interview as well. This will help show the interviewer that you are well-prepared for anything they might ask of you during the interview process.
   10. Look Up the Distance to the Interview
   If your interview is in-person, be sure to check on Google Maps or your preferred GPS app how far away your interview location is. Check out what the commute time looks like during high-traffic times as well.

   Then make sure you leave at least 10-15 minutes ahead of time to give yourself some wiggle room in case there’s unexpected traffic or delays during your drive. And if you’re not driving, make sure you have your mode of transportation mapped out as well, whether you’re taking a bus or a train or calling an Uber.

   Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination because not having a reliable mode of transportation is not impressive to your potential employer.

    

Picking out the appropriate outfit for a job interview can be daunting. You don’t yet know the proper dress code in the office and you definitely don’t want to show up underdressed. 

To help you feel confident in your outfit, we’ve put together a quick guide on what both men and women should wear to their interviews.

Interview Dress Code for Men

The rule of thumb for men when it comes to your interview dress code tends to be that you should always wear a suit. However, if you’re clued into a much more casual company culture beforehand, there’s a little more leeway.

We’re going to walk you through the options you have for your interview dress code.

Business Professional

Wear a suit. That’s the bottom line.

The best option is to wear a grey or navy blue suit. If possible, you want to avoid a black suit. Wear a white undershirt along with a conservatively colored tie. Pair this with similarly colored, polished dress shoes.

This shows that you’re serious and that you can easily fit into the conservative, business professional company culture.

Business Casual

While this is a step down from a suit, you still want to appear professional and well put together.

Wear dress pants – this could just be the bottom of your suit without the jacket, a pair of khakis or chino pants – paired with a nice button-down shirt. You can forego the tie and wear loafers or oxfords as your shoes.

Other

Even if the business is more casual or creative, you don’t want to appear dressed any less than business casual for your job interview.

Interview Dress Code for Women

Women also want to appear well dressed and put together. Dress suits or pant suits are appropriate for more business professional roles, but we’ll discuss a few different options.

Business Professional

Wear a blazer with a matching skirt or pair of dress pants. Keep the color at a neutral grey or navy blue with a white button-down shirt underneath.

Women can also wear a simple cocktail-length dress paired with a professional blazer to a business professional interview.

Wear a conservative heel if you can walk in them, otherwise opt for flats. It’s better to be comfortable on your feet than potentially wobbling around or losing your footing!

Ensure hair and nails are well groomed, regardless of whether you wear your hair up or down. Wear the makeup look you’re most comfortable with or wear most often.

Business Casual

Trousers are much more appropriate when it comes to business casual, paired with a nice blouse and cardigan.

Business casual also gives women interviewers more flexibility with dresses – wear something more bright and colorful. However, sleeveless dresses are still too casual for an interview unless they’re paired with a nice blazer.

Feel free to go with a nice flat shoe unless you’re comfortable in heels. Again, ensure hair, makeup and nails are well groomed and natural.

Other

Again, any company culture that is more casual or allows jeans in the office typically wants to see something more professional in an interview setting. Be sure to ask during your interview what the day-to-day dress code is.

At the start of every interview, your interviewer typically asks a blanket question: “Can you tell me about yourself?”

This gives you the opportunity to share your background, your interests, your experience and a small part of your life story that has led you to this interview. You have finite time to capture their interest and really sell yourself.

That’s why you need an elevator pitch.

What is an Elevator Pitch?

A personal elevator pitch essentially is a summary of you and who you are.

Elevator pitches are named such because they should take about the time that an elevator ride does – around 30-60 seconds total.

This gives you the chance to clue your interviewer into who you are, why you’re here and what you bring to the table. All within a minute or so.

While this can seem like an overwhelming task to take on, you can easily share a compelling elevator pitch with your interviewer by writing it down ahead of time and rehearsing.

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

Preparing your elevator pitch ahead of time is the only way you’ll make sure you don’t miss any important pieces of your work history and experience. Follow these basic steps to create an elevator pitch that will blow your future boss out of the water.

Step 1: Introduce Yourself

The first thing to do is share who you are and what you do. This should be a brief 1-2 sentence introduction showcasing your specialty in your work and what you have the most experience in.

Step 2: Promote Your Expertise

Now that you’ve mentioned what you do, it’s time to highlight how well you do what you do. Give a few major statistics showcasing the kind of sales or revenue you’ve brought in for a company.

Step 3: Explain Why They Should Care

In your next sentence or two, point out how you can use that expertise to help the company you’re interviewing improve or solve the challenges they’re currently facing.

Step 4: End With a Call-to-Action

Here’s where you make your pitch. Explain how you’re the best person for the job and that you’d love the opportunity to make it happen for them.

Elevator Pitch Example

Still not sure where to start? We’ve put together an elevator pitch example below that hits all the above steps.

Simply adapt this to fit your work experience and accomplishments, then rehearse it several times to ensure you’ve got it down pat.

“I’m a sales professional, specializing in bringing enterprise-level companies into SaaS products. In my 8 years of experience, I’ve helped SaaS businesses across the industry double their enterprise revenue. As you are currently working to expand your enterprise plan and increase business in that facet, I look forward to having the opportunity to prove my skills. If given the chance, I believe I could help your company increase enterprise revenue by 25% in just six months.”

Elevator Pitch Tips

To maximize the impact your elevator pitch makes, keep these tips in mind.

• • Keep it brief. Remember: 30-60 seconds for your elevator pitch. Rehearse it and time yourself so you know you’re not overloading them with too much information in your very first response.
  • Be persuasive. Really sell yourself and get your interviewer excited about the rest of the meeting. By introducing your skill set right from the start, you set the tone for the entire interview.
  • Mention your goals. You don’t have to get super specific with this, but sharing your career goals can help make sure you and the company both align with where your position could lead you.
  • Speak naturally. Yes, you’ll rehearse your elevator pitch beforehand. Probably a lot. But that doesn’t mean you want it to come off stiff and memorized. Try to keep your tone as natural and unpracticed as possible.
  • Speak slowly. When nervous, we often have the tendency to start speaking too quickly. Breathe, take pauses, and speak slowly so that your pitch is easy for everyone to understand.
  • Practice. This will likely be your response to the first question you’re asked in the interview. Practice your pitch again and again to ensure you make the best first impression possible.

To help you avoid making any common interview blunders, we’ve put together a list of interview tips that will help you make a great impression on your interviewer from the moment you arrive until that final handshake good-bye.

1. Arrive Early

   The worst thing you can do is arrive late to an interview. Especially when interviewing for a sales role when sticking to meeting times is an essential part of your job, you want to prove that deadlines and appointment times are not a problem right off the bat.

   Plan to arrive around 10-15 minutes early. If you’re any earlier than this, sit in your car, go for a walk or brush up on your interview prep before heading inside.

2. Treat Everyone With Respect

   You’ll likely encounter more people than only your interviewer. Be sure that you’re friendly and respectful with each person.

   Whether it’s the receptionist checking you in at the front desk or the hostess and server at your lunch/dinner interview, always put your best foot forward and treat everyone with humility and respect.

3. Be Mindful of Your Body Language

   Your body language can convey just as much to your interviewer as your words, so you want to make sure you appear calm, confident and sure of yourself.

   Give a firm handshake, have a good posture, hold yourself well, don’t fidget, and smile at all the right times – but not too much.

   Keeping your body language in mind throughout the interview is a good way to make sure you remain professional and in tune with the interviewer.

4. Have a Positive Attitude

   Be genuine in all of your responses, show positivity, smile throughout your interview, and have upbeat body language. Show that you’re someone your interviewer would enjoy working with and would want to have on their team.

5. Tell the Truth

   Don’t flub any of your experience and answer every single question with a truthful response. You don’t want to be caught in a lie or an exaggeration of the truth in the middle of a job interview.

   It may seem tempting to embellish your skills and accomplishments, but your interviewer only wants to hear about what you’re actually capable of and the honest truth.

6.  Market Your Skills and Experience

   In every answer you give to your interviewer’s questions, tie it back to your relevant skill set and experience. Remember, you’re selling your skills in this interview.

   You want to showcase why you’re the best person for the job, so be sure to use every opportunity given to you to prove this

7. Keep Answers Concise and To the Point

   You have a limited amount of time to speak with your interviewer, so you don’t want to ramble and go off on unrelated tangents. Answer questions directly and be sure to listen to the entire question so you give the most accurate response possible.

   This is why rehearsing answers to various questions is a good idea – so you’re able to give the most valuable response in the least amount of words.

8. Don’t Speak Negatively About Past Employers

   It doesn’t matter if you had the worst experience ever or if the employer was legitimately bad. Painting a negative picture about other companies or bosses can make it seem like you complain too much or like you’ll turn around and say the same things about the company you’re applying to.

   Even if you’re desperate to leave a bad situation, there are ways to spin your answer to questions like, “Why are you looking to leave your current role?” that don’t involve you speaking poorly of the company.

   If you’re looking for specifics, we’ll talk more about this in chapter 6 when we help you compile the best answer to common interview questions.

9. Remain Professional

   Sometimes if something feels like it’s a great fit, it’s easy to let your guard down and start acting a bit more comfortable than you should in a job interview scenario.

   Remember that even if it feels like you’re all but guaranteed the job, you’re still marketing yourself and you need to keep putting your best foot forward.

   Don’t get cocky, don’t get too comfortable, and don’t forget where you are. Remain professional from the moment you walk through the door until well past the interview has ended.

   We’ll talk about how to close your interview in chapter 8 and what you should do after the interview in chapter 9 so that you’re prepared to remain as professional as possible all the way through to your thank you email.

10. Don’t Appear Desperate

    Even if you are desperate, don’t let that come through during your interview. Whether you’ve been unemployed for months or you’re dying to leave your current company, you still want to appear cool and collected.

    To help ensure your desperation doesn’t translate through, you can even say something like, “I’m looking forward to learning more about your company and letting you learn more about me so we can ensure this would be a great match.”

    This helps align your perspective with your interviewer and won’t make them think you’re dying to get this position.

11. Anticipate Interviewer Concerns

    If you have something potentially concerning or questionable on your resume, anticipate questions regarding it.

    Perhaps you took a break from work for a while or you’re leaving a position after only a short amount of time. It’s natural that a future employer would be curious why, so be sure to have a response prepared and ready to go to put them at ease.

     

A big part of being well prepared for a job interview involved having an idea of the kinds of questions you’ll be asked so you can rehearse your answers ahead of time.

To help ensure you’re ready to ace your interview and land that job, we’ve put together a list of 28 common interview questions along with some tips to help you answer them.

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

   Nearly every interview starts with this basic question. And while your interviewer wants a deeper dive into who you are as a person, this isn’t meant for you to tell your entire life story. 

   To prepare for this question, head back to chapter four on how to write an elevator pitch. This is the exact point where you’ll be delivering that pitch to your interviewer.

   RELATED: How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

2. Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?

   You really want to cater your response to this question to the specific company you’re interviewing with. That’s how you’ll really impress them and show that you’ve done your research. 

   While there may already be a reason why you want to work at this specific company, if you’re simply applying around, be sure to look through their website and find something unique about the company or the culture that really speaks to you.

3. What Are Your Strengths?

   Every interviewer asks about your strengths and weaknesses. With this question, you really want to sell your best qualities that help you get your work done – and done well. Don’t list off a bunch of personality traits here. Instead, focus on the strengths that genuinely help you professionally.

4. What Are Your Weaknesses?

   The interviewer is testing your honesty here. Everyone has weaknesses, so trying to skate by without providing any simply isn’t the truth. And while you don’t want to say anything that will cost you the job, sharing known weaknesses that you’re working on is a great way to respond here.

5. Why Should We Hire You?

   While this question can seem intimidating, the interviewer gives you the perfect opportunity to sell your skills and let them know what you bring to the table. 

   Why should you get this role over everyone else applying? Well, because you have this unique skill set that can help set your company up for success.

6. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

   When interviewers ask this question, they want to see how much ambition you have, but they also want to gauge how long you plan to stay in this role or with this company. 

   Think about what your realistic five-year goal is. And even if you don’t see yourself with this company long-term, consider adjusting your response so that the company still fits into your vision.

7. What is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?

   This is your time to shine! You’ve likely done some pretty awesome things in your professional life, and now you get to share them. In order to give the interviewer the full scope of your achievement, set it up by sharing what your task was, explain the action you took, and finally provide your results.

8. Tell Me About a Disagreement You’ve Had at Work and How You Handled It.

   Disagreements are bound to happen in the workplace. But it’s how you handle it that really differentiates you. Tell a story about a time that you disagreed with a decision that was made and how you handled it professionally. Close your response by sharing what you learned from the experience or what the overall resolution was.

9. Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.

   We’re only human, and humans make mistakes. If this question comes up, be candid about a mistake you may have made in a past position without placing blame on anyone else, what you did to fix or move past the mistake, and what you learned for the future.

10. Why Are You Looking to Leave Your Current Company?

    Remember back in chapter five, we mentioned the interview tip, “don’t speak negatively about past employers.” Keep this in mind when answering this question. You don’t want your reason to be negative, but you can say something along the lines of how you’re looking for new opportunities to grow.

11. Why Were You Fired?

    Of course this will only pop up on a case by case basis, but if you’ve ever been fired or let go from a job, you can expect to be asked why. If your position was eliminated or the company was dealing with financial issues, say that. But if it was performance based, simply be honest and frame your story with what you learned from the experience.

12. Why Was There a Gap in Your Employment History?

    This is another question that will only be asked if it applies to you. Whether you were taking care of family, taking some time off work to travel, prepare to give an honest answer for why there may be a small or substantial break in your employment history.

13. Why Did You Change Career Paths?

    Sometimes you start off in one career path before realizing that you want to do something slightly or entirely different in your life. Share what led you to realize you had a different passion and why you’re pursuing a different line of work.

14. What Kind of Work Environment Do You Like Best?

    It’s important that the work environment you thrive in matches the work environment at the company you’re applying for. Be honest with this answer, but ask what kind of work environment they have as well.

15. What is Your Management/Leadership Style?

    If you’ll be managing a sales team, expect to get a question that asks about your management or leadership style. You’ll want to answer this by talking about what good management means to you, how you emulate that, and an example of a situation you’ve led the charge in.

    Alternatively, you might be asked something like, “How do you like to be managed?” This gives you the opportunity to share what kind of supervision works best for you in your work.

16. How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?

    Don’t fudge the truth here – your interviewer will likely be calling references at some point. Be honest and share some of the best qualities you think your coworkers or past employers would describe you having.

17. What Would Your First 30, 60, or 90 Days Look Like in This Role?

    You’ve looked through the job description (probably several times) so you should have a good idea of what will be expected of you and how you’ll manage your tasks. Take this time to share what you would do when getting started to make improvements and get results.

18. How Do You Deal With Pressure?

    This isn’t something you want to answer with what you think the interviewer wants to hear. Really think about what you do to handle pressure or stress in your professional life and share your coping mechanisms.

19. What Do You Like To Do Outside of Work?

    It’s not uncommon for interviewers to ask about hobbies or interests outside of work to make sure you’ll vibe well with the existing team. Share some of your passions, whether you love to run long distance, read, craft, or something else entirely.

20. When Could You Start?

    If you have a current position that you’ll have to give notice to, be frank with your interviewer. They likely want to ensure you have plenty of time so that you’re not leaving your company on bad terms. However, if you’ve been unemployed or working for yourself, be sure to let them know if you could start immediately.

21. What Are Your Salary Requirements?

    Be sure to do your research and understand your salary requirements well ahead of time in case this is brought up during the interview. Hopefully the job description will mention salary and/or commission so you’ll have an idea of what they’re offering, but if not, offer up a large salary range that ensures you cover your expenses and then some.

22.  Are You Willing to Relocate?

    If you’re in a position where you could move for the job, be upfront with that. But if not, offer up solutions like working remotely or splitting your time in different offices.

23. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Be?

    Interviewers often ask personality-type questions similar to this one. If that’s the case, you’re allowed to have a little fun with these and let your personality shine. There’s no wrong answer here, so you have some flexibility.

24. Who Are Our Competitors?

    This is important for sales teams and also shows the interviewer that you’ve done your research. Share what you’ve found and ask if they have any more to add to your list for you to keep in mind for the future.

25. What is Your Sales Process?

    Your interviewer likely wants to get some insight into your sales process. They might ask how you go about making a sale or they might even choose a random item in the room and ask you to sell it to them.

    Be sure you have a response prepared that showcases your skills as a salesperson and proves that you can remain cool and collected even in high-pressure situations.

     

Remember that the interview process isn’t only about the company trying to see if you’d be a good fit for the role. It’s also about you ensuring that the company would be a good fit for you.

An interview is a two-way street, and you have the right to ask as many questions about the role, your expected tasks, the company, its culture, and more.

Here are 50 questions you might consider asking in your interview.

1. What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities for this position?
2. What characteristics are you looking for in this role?
3. What could I do within my first 30-90 days that would be the biggest help?
4. What are the most immediate tasks that need to be addressed?
5. What kinds of projects would I be working on?
6. What skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill?
7. How do I compare to other candidates for this role?
8. How does this position contribute to the team/company’s success as a whole?
9. What are the biggest challenges someone in this role might face?
10. How would my performance be measured in this role?
11. Are there opportunities for advancement with this role?
12. Would I be going through any training prior to starting this role?
13. Which departments does this role most often work with?
14. Is this a new role or would I be replacing someone?
15. Do you expect the job responsibilities to change within the next six to twelve months?
16. What are the company’s values?
17. How long have you been with the company?
18. What do you enjoy most about working here?
19. What is the company culture like?
20. How would you describe the work environment here?
21. What is your greatest accomplishment with this company?
22. Would you walk me through your day-to-day tasks?
23. What goals do you have for yourself within the company over the next five years?
24. Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?
25. Who would you consider to be your top competitor and why?
26. What did you do before working with this company?
27. Why did you want to work with this company?
28. What is your favorite office tradition?
29. What does the team typically do for lunch?
30. What are the company’s goals for growth and how does this role contribute to that?
31. How do team leaders share both positive and negative feedback with employees?
32. How are team members encouraged or set up for success?
33. How are employees recognized for hard work?
34. How often are employees evaluated?
35. What does it take to be a top performer at this company?
36. Can you tell me about the team I’d be working with?
37. Who would I be working with most closely?
38. Do you expect to hire more people in the next six to twelve months?
39. How has the company evolved since you started?
40. What benefits and perks does the company offer?
41. What measures are taken to encourage a healthy work-life balance?
42. Is working remotely an option?
43. How would employees describe the company’s leadership?
44. What are the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?
45. What changes in the industry are you most excited about?
46. What are the next steps in the interview process?
47. Do you have an ideal start date in mind?
48. Is there anything about my background that concerns you?
49. Is there anything else I can provide you with?
50. Can I answer any more questions for you?

Closing the interview properly is key in leaving feeling like you’ve aced your interview. Once you’ve finished asking your questions, here are the next steps to closing out your job interview and leaving a lasting impression.

1. Reiterate Your Interest in the Position

   If, after the interview, you’re loving everything you’re seeing and hearing, start winding down the interview by reinstating how interested you are in the position and working for this company. 

   Make sure you sound genuine and interested, letting the interviewer know what kind of value you feel you’d bring to the table and why you’re the best for the job.

2. Summarize Your Qualifications

   Not only should you share how interested you are in the role, be sure to summarize your qualifications to remind the interviewer that you have all of the skills and experience that they’re looking for.

   Reiterate some of your biggest accomplishments and link them back to the success you could bring to this role and for this company.

3. Ask About Next Steps

   Now that you’ve let the interviewer know that you want this job and you’re fully qualified for it, ask about next steps. Be sure you have a firm grasp on the timeline – when you should hear back from them, if there are more interviews in the process, and when their ideal start date is.

4. Find Out How to Contact the Interviewer.
   

   Before you say your good-byes, make sure you have direct contact information for your interviewer. This will be especially helpful when you send your thank you email and if you need to follow up after your interview. The best way to go about this is to simply ask for their business card before heading out.

    

You’ve done it! You’ve really nailed the interview and all that’s left is to sit and wait. Right?

Wrong.

If you’re serious about this job, you need to send a thank you note or email after the interview letting the interviewer know you appreciate their time and to share any other information they may have asked you for.

RELATED: Post-Interview Letter Examples

To make sure you hit all the right notes in your follow-up email, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to write a post-interview thank you note that your interviewer will appreciate.

1. Use a Concise Subject Line: Don’t be overly flowery. Keep it simple, with something like “Thank you [Name]” or “I enjoyed learning about [Company].”
2. Start With a Personalized Greeting: You’ve met this person and likely spent at least a half hour with them. Address them by name and be personal, especially if you hope to work with them. 
3. Thank the Interviewer: First things first, you need to thank the interviewer for their time and let them know how much you appreciated getting to know them a bit more.
4. Share Why You Want the Job: Reinstate some of the same information you left them with when closing your interview – share your interest in the job, remind them of your qualifications, and let them know how you could help the company.
5. Include Anything You Wish You’d Said in the Interview: Kicking yourself for leaving out something important? This is your chance to share! Include any additional anecdotes that help prove you’re the person for the job.
6. Send Additional Information: Was there something the interviewer asked for during the interview? Whether it’s references, additional work examples, etc., be sure to include those in this thank you email.
7. End With a Professional Sign-Off: Keep it simple. Thank them again and sign off with a “Sincerely, [Your Name].” Then include your contact information, LinkedIn URL, and anything else that might be helpful for getting in touch with you.