“What is your management style?” It's good to ask. But the answer doesn't tell you the whole story.
Here are 10 good questions to ask your potential employer to dig deeper. Use your best judgment at all times during this process. Remember, you're not interrogating the manager – you're having a friendly conversation!
Questions to ask your potential employer:
What are your goals for this position and your department?
You need to understand what is important to your potential manager and how you can help them achieve those goals. Ask this question early in the interview so you can relate your other questions and answers to what you've learned.
What do you like most about working at this company?
This can lead to insight into what this manager values, and about the organization.
What do you think should continue to make the company a great place to work?
These questions can give you insight into the manager's values and the strengths and weaknesses of the company's culture.
How will you and I work together to make me successful in this role?
This can say a lot about the employer's management style and the type of support and training you will receive.
In order for us to work well together, what should I always do, and what should I not do on the other hand?
This question should be asked with a smile! It's a way of inviting them to air their hot-button issues, the things they feel strongly about—and the words are more open, which encourages an open response.
What are some good ideas you got from your direct reports and how did they make a difference?
This can tell you how interested they are in such ideas, whether they work and whether the company offers a fertile ground for innovation.
What recognition, training and development have your direct reports received in the past year?
If they don't get anything at the top, it's not a very motivating environment!
How often do you interact with your direct reports?
Many new hires are not shocked to find that their manager is rarely available.
How do you want to communicate with your employees? Through email, phone, text messages, questions, weekly meetings, or some combination? What to do when you are traveling or in the field?
Listen closely. You can discover more than just sending or sending an email.
Can I ask about someone who was in this job before me – did they move up within the company or leave for another job?
It can provide clues not only about your future employer, but also about the company and paths to advancement.
Of course, it's easier to know what to ask if you've researched the employer ahead of time. Click this link Tips for doing your own “reference check”.
What to do after interviewing your potential employer
If the answers to these questions raise any warning signs about the employer, you may want to look elsewhere — or go to your next job interview with your antenna up. If you decide it's worth working out, at least you can plan how to work effectively with this person who will most likely influence your future. This article was previously published in 2023 and has been updated.