20 Questions

Questions to Ask at the End of an Internal Interview

Strategic questions to ask at the end of internal interviews to demonstrate interest, gather important information, and position yourself for success.

1

What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding immediate priorities helps you prepare for success and shows you're thinking about hitting the ground running.

2

What does success look like in this position?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about success metrics helps you understand expectations and how your performance will be evaluated.

3

What are the biggest challenges facing this team or department?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding current challenges helps you assess if you're prepared to handle them and shows you're thinking strategically.

4

How does this role fit into the broader organizational strategy?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about the role's strategic importance helps you understand its value and how you can contribute to organizational goals.

5

What opportunities are there for growth and development in this role?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding growth opportunities helps you assess if the role aligns with your career goals and development needs.

6

What resources and support will be available for this position?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about available resources helps you understand what tools and support you'll have to succeed in the role.

7

How does this team collaborate with other departments?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding cross-functional relationships helps you prepare for collaboration and shows you're thinking about the bigger picture.

8

What are the current projects or initiatives this role would be involved in?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about current work helps you understand what you'd be working on and assess your interest and fit.

9

What are the reporting relationships and team structure?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding the organizational structure helps you know who you'd be working with and reporting to.

10

What are the expectations for this role in terms of leadership and influence?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about leadership expectations helps you understand the scope of the role and your potential impact.

11

How does this role contribute to the company's mission and values?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding the role's alignment with company values helps you assess cultural fit and personal satisfaction.

12

What are the opportunities for innovation and improvement in this area?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about innovation opportunities helps you understand how you can contribute to positive change and growth.

13

What are the current pain points or areas for improvement?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding current issues helps you assess if you're prepared to address them and shows you're thinking about solutions.

14

How does this role support the company's diversity and inclusion goals?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about D&I initiatives helps you understand the company's commitment to these values and how you can contribute.

15

What are the opportunities for mentorship and learning in this role?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding learning opportunities helps you assess if the role will support your professional development and growth.

16

How does this role handle work-life balance and flexibility?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about work-life balance helps you assess if the role aligns with your personal needs and preferences.

17

What are the opportunities for advancement from this role?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding advancement opportunities helps you assess if the role aligns with your long-term career goals.

18

How does this role contribute to the company's sustainability and social responsibility?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Learning about sustainability initiatives helps you understand the company's values and how you can contribute to positive impact.

19

What are the opportunities for collaboration and teamwork in this role?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding collaboration opportunities helps you assess if the role aligns with your working style and preferences.

20

What are the next steps in the interview process?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Understanding the process helps you know what to expect and how to prepare for the next stages.

Maximizing Internal Interview Success

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Preparing for Your Questions

Research the Role and Team

Learn about the position, team, and department to ask informed questions that show your preparation.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Write down questions that demonstrate your interest and help you gather important information about the role.

Show Enthusiasm and Interest

Ask questions that show you're genuinely interested in the role and excited about the opportunity.

Essential Areas to Cover

Role Understanding

Key responsibilities and priorities
Success metrics and expectations
Reporting relationships and structure
Resources and support available

Team and Culture

Team dynamics and collaboration
Company culture and values
Work-life balance and flexibility
Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Growth and Development

Learning and development opportunities
Mentorship and coaching
Career advancement paths
Innovation and improvement opportunities

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't Ask Obvious Questions

Avoid questions that can be easily answered by reading the job description or company website.

Avoid Being Overly Aggressive

Don't ask questions that seem to challenge the interviewer or make demands about the role.

Don't Ignore Their Answers

Listen to their responses and ask follow-up questions that show you're engaged in the conversation.

Further Reading

"The Complete Guide to Interviewing" by various authors
"Internal Career Development" by various authors
"The Art of Asking Questions" by various authors

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation