16 Questions to Ask in a Final Interview
You’ve made it to the final round in consideration for the job you want. Now, just one interview stands between you and the offer you’re after. But at this point, it’s not only about you impressing the hiring manager. The final interview is also an important chance for you to make sure you actually want this job at this company.
We’ll share 16 great questions to ask to emphasize your enthusiasm for the position and clarify that it’s a strong fit for you.
The importance of a final interview
A final round interview serves an important purpose for both the company and the candidate. Here’s what is accomplished during this late-stage conversation.
Distinguish between top candidates
The final round of interviews is a major deciding factor when companies have narrowed the pool to a handful of finalists. It helps them distinguish between several talented applicants who possess similar qualifications and decide which one is the strongest pick.
Clear up any lingering concerns
Candidates and hiring managers gather a lot of information during the interview process. The last interview is a chance to address any uncertainties that remain about the job expectations or the candidate’s skills before an offer is made.
Assess fit
By this point, the company has done most of the work of verifying that you meet the minimum requirements. At this point, a lot is riding on “fit,” which is the X factor that determines how well you’ll work within the team and the company’s style of operating. Fit goes the other way, too; you, as a candidate, must decide whether the job is a fit for your personal and professional goals.
Get answers to tough questions
It’s common job search advice that you shouldn’t ask about salary during your first interview. However, the final interview–especially if you’ve been through several rounds already–is an appropriate time to bring it up. You may also inquire about other pressing topics like benefits, flexible work options, and advancement opportunities.
Seal the deal
As a candidate, the final interview is usually your last face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager or committee. It’s your chance to seal the deal! Make the most of this valuable opportunity by summarizing why you’re the best person for the job.
What you should ask the hiring manager in a final interview
Use these questions to ensure you fully understand the role you may soon be stepping into.
1. What is the salary?
If you’ve made it this far without talking about compensation, now is a suitable time to broach the subject. Make sure you’re prepared to discuss your salary expectations because it’s common for the company to try to get you to name a number first. We have a full guide to figuring out how much money to ask for here.
2. Why is this position open?
If the last person who held the job left suddenly, like quitting unexpectedly or getting fired, it could be a red flag. On the other hand, if the last person in the role was promoted or it’s a newly created position, this could create added opportunities for the next person who takes the job.
Related: 20 Company Red Flags to Watch Out for When Job Searching
3. How long did the last person in this role hold the job?
Turnover is an important aspect of a company’s culture when looking at different jobs. However, getting a straight answer during an interview is hard since a company is unlikely to disclose if it struggles to retain employees. This question will give you some hints. If the last person held the job for a long time, it bodes well for your future with the company. If they leave after only a short stint, further questions are worth asking.
4. What is the typical career path of someone in this role?
This question should get the interviewer talking about people who have held the job in the past, including what their path to the role was like and what they’re doing now. You can hold your goals against these examples to see whether the job aligns with your professional vision.
5. What are the company’s growth plans?
You may have researched company news or discussed growth plans a bit in prior interviews, but asking directly about plans for the future during a final interview can yield some interesting intel. For example, learning about the organization’s five-year goals will help you decide if it’s a place where you can see yourself long-term.
6. What are the opportunities for advancement like?
This is a good question to ask in a final interview after you’ve already established a strong level of interest in the role for which you applied–in other words, you’re not giving the impression that you’ll be gunning for a promotion after only a few months. Asking about advancement opportunities in a final interview demonstrates your excitement about growing with the company, which is a positive sign for companies that want to retain top performers.
7. Are there any major changes on the horizon for the company?
If a significant change to the company’s structure, like a merger or downsizing, is on the horizon, this is highly pertinent information to find out. Of course, the hiring manager isn’t obligated to share such information and may dodge the question, but you can glean a lot just by how they react to your inquiry.
8. What projects would I work on right out of the gate?
If you’re taking the time to read this article, you’re probably someone who wants to do a good job from day one. This question will help you understand what that would look like and ensure you’re comfortable with what it would entail.
9. What are the biggest challenges in this position?
There’s great value in a manager who recognizes the difficulties of a position and can speak openly about them. This question will give you clues about both things and identify any challenges you might not be up for taking on.
10. What is the company’s attitude toward [insert attribute that’s important to you]?
Different qualities matter to different candidates in varying degrees. Whatever attribute is most important to you in an employer–creativity, diversity, philanthropy, you name it–will greatly impact your happiness in a new position. So, learning as much as possible about it is worthwhile before proceeding with a job opportunity.
Related: Warning Signs and Examples of Bad Company Culture
11. How well would I fit in with the team?
On the surface, this question asks about culture fit, but we like it because it serves a dual purpose: It prompts the hiring manager to envision you as part of the team, which can be a helpful image to keep in mind as they prepare to make a hiring decision.
12. If you were to hire me, how would you measure my success?
Like the prior question, this one calls upon the interviewer to imagine you doing the job. It also provides helpful data points on how your performance will be measured and whether those expectations are realistic and achievable.
13. Do you have any questions or concerns about my fit for the role?
This one takes some guts to ask, but it’s a surefire way to get a read on where you stand as a candidate. It allows you to address any employer misgivings about hiring you or provide information they’re missing. This could be the difference between getting an offer or not, like if they bring up a specific skill you actually possess but haven’t had a chance to talk about yet. Just make sure if you do ask this question you’re open to hearing what they have to say without reacting defensively.
14. How many other candidates are being considered?
It’s a pretty direct question, but you may want to consider asking it to understand your realistic chances of receiving an offer. The interviewer may open up with additional information about how you stack up against the other finalists, like if you’re they’re top choice.
15. How soon do you expect to make a decision?
Ask this question to get a better idea of the hiring timeline. This is especially important if you’re interviewing with multiple companies and want the option to weigh offers against one another.
16. What has been the highlight of your time with the company?
We like this question for two reasons. First, it gives you a real person’s testimonial about the highlights of employment with the company. Second, it prompts the interviewer to think about a happy topic, which could influence their overall impression of their conversation with you. If you end on this question, they may be more likely to reflect on your interview positively, which could help your chances.
It’s always a good idea to come to a job interview armed with some intelligent, strategic questions. Asking the right questions in a final interview can help an interviewer see you in the role while confirming the job is what you expect it to be and what you want as the next step in your career.
