It’s crucial to ask questions during job interviews.
If you shrug and tell the hiring manager that you don’t have any questions at the end of your conversation, they’re bound to think that you’re just not that interested.
That being said, you can’t just throw out any random query that floats to the top of your mind.
It’s important to ask thoughtful questions that get at important points and demonstrate you’re a viable candidate.
Here are six smart questions you don’t want to forget to ask during interviews:
1. ‘Why is this position available?’
The job interview isn’t just about impressing hiring managers and coming across as competent and enthusiastic.
You’ve also got to vet the opportunity and the organization that you’re considering. This question will help you figure out if things are truly going well at the organization.
“It’s helpful to know if the last person quit, if the business is growing, or if there’s some other driver at play,” Angela Copeland, career coach at Copeland Coaching, tells Business Insider.
Read more: The 13 most common résumé mistakes
2. ‘What makes people stay at this company?’
April Boykin-Huchko, HR manager at marketing firm Affect, tells Business Insider that it’s always a good idea to get a sense of the company’s culture.
In this day and age, most organizations advertise their values and their company culture online. So, rather than directly asking about culture and values, try to figure out how exactly the company’s environment impacts employees.
3. ‘If hired, what are the three most important things you’d like me to accomplish in the first six to 12 months at the company?’
“Think of every open position as a problem or pain point the company is hoping to solve with the right hire,” Amanda Augustine, a career advice expert for TopResume, tells Business Insider. “The more you know about the hiring manager’s expectations and metrics for success, the easier it will be for you to tailor the conversation to demonstrate your fit for the role.”
Read more: Everything you should do in the minutes, hours, days, and weeks following a job interview
4. ‘What will make someone successful in the role?’
Copeland recommends asking this question to make sure you’re “hitting the mark” when it comes to the hiring manager’s goals for the role.
5. ‘Is there anything I’ve said that makes you doubt I would be a great fit for this position?’
“If you can find the courage to put your interviewer on the spot, it can help you get a quick read on the situation, provide you with valuable feedback on your candidacy, and give you the opportunity to address any objections the hiring manager may have while you still have that person’s full attention,” Augustine says.
Read more: 16 interview mistakes people think will cost them the job — but won’t
6. ‘What is your timeline for making a decision? May I call or email you to follow up on my candidacy?’
“This question is a must, yet many career-savvy job candidates forget to ask it at the end of the interview,” Augustine says. “Never leave an interview without finding out the company’s timeline for making a decision and determining when and how you should follow up afterwards about your candidacy.”
This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com
