20 Questions

Questions to Ask During Internal Interview

Strategic questions for internal interviews that help you understand the role, team dynamics, and growth opportunities while demonstrating your knowledge of the company and commitment to advancement.

1

What does success look like in this role and how is it measured?

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Why this works

Shows you're focused on performance and results while revealing the company's expectations and how they evaluate success in the position.

2

What are the biggest challenges facing this team or department right now?

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Why this works

Demonstrates strategic thinking and shows interest in understanding the current situation and challenges the team is facing.

3

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

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Why this works

Shows you understand the bigger picture and reveals how the position fits into the company's strategic objectives and mission.

4

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

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Why this works

Demonstrates your commitment to growth and shows interest in learning opportunities and career advancement within the company.

5

What is the team culture like and how do team members typically collaborate?

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Why this works

Shows interest in team dynamics and reveals the working environment and collaboration style of the team.

6

What technologies, tools, or systems does this role work with?

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Why this works

Demonstrates technical interest and shows you want to understand the tools and technologies you'll be working with in the position.

7

What is the typical career path for someone in this role?

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Why this works

Shows long-term thinking and reveals the potential career progression and advancement opportunities within the company.

8

How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being?

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Why this works

Demonstrates concern for employee welfare and reveals the company's policies and support for work-life balance and employee well-being.

9

What are the most important qualities you're looking for in the ideal candidate?

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Why this works

Shows you want to understand their expectations and reveals the key qualities and skills they value most in the position.

10

How does the company handle feedback and performance reviews?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in professional development and reveals the company's approach to feedback and performance evaluation.

11

What is the company's approach to innovation and staying competitive?

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Why this works

Shows strategic thinking and reveals the company's approach to innovation and maintaining competitive advantage in the market.

12

How does this role interact with other departments or teams?

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Why this works

Demonstrates understanding of organizational structure and reveals the role's relationships with other parts of the company.

13

What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?

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Why this works

Shows interest in company culture and reveals how the company's values are reflected in daily work and decision-making.

14

What is the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?

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Why this works

Demonstrates concern for workplace diversity and reveals the company's commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment.

15

How does the company handle change and adapt to new challenges?

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Why this works

Shows interest in the company's adaptability and reveals how they handle change and respond to new challenges and opportunities.

16

What is the company's approach to employee recognition and rewards?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in motivation and reveals how the company recognizes and rewards employee contributions and achievements.

17

How does the company support employee learning and skill development?

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Why this works

Shows commitment to growth and reveals the company's approach to employee learning and skill development opportunities.

18

What is the company's approach to remote work and flexible arrangements?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in work flexibility and reveals the company's policies and support for remote work and flexible work arrangements.

19

How does the company measure and track progress toward its goals?

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Why this works

Shows interest in performance measurement and reveals how the company tracks progress and measures success toward its objectives.

20

What is the company's approach to sustainability and social responsibility?

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Why this works

Demonstrates concern for social impact and reveals the company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.

Best Practices for Internal Interview Questions

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

Best Practices

Leverage Your Internal Knowledge

Use your existing knowledge of the company to ask more informed and strategic questions. Show you understand the business and can contribute immediately.

Focus on Growth and Development

Ask about professional development opportunities, career paths, and learning opportunities. This shows you're committed to growth and advancement within the company.

Demonstrate Your Value and Contribution

Ask questions that show how you can contribute to the team and company. Focus on your skills, experience, and how you can add value to the role.

Question Sequences

The Performance and Success Sequence

1
What does success look like in this role and how is it measured?
2
What are the biggest challenges facing this team or department right now?
3
How does this role contribute to the company's overall goals and mission?
4
What is the typical career path for someone in this role?

The Culture and Team Dynamics Sequence

1
What is the team culture like and how do team members typically collaborate?
2
What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?
3
What is the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?
4
How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Questions That Show Lack of Preparation

Avoid questions that could be answered by basic research about the company. Show you've done your homework and ask thoughtful, informed questions.

Don't Ask Questions That Are Too Personal

Avoid questions about personal matters or private information. Focus on professional and business-related topics that are relevant to the role.

Don't Ask Questions That Are Too Narrow

Avoid questions that are too specific or narrow in scope. Ask questions that are relevant to the role and show your understanding of the business.

Conversation Templates

The Performance and Success Approach

1
Step 1: Start with: "I want to understand the expectations for this role..."
2
Step 2: Ask: "What does success look like in this role and how is it measured?"
3
Step 3: Explore: "What are the biggest challenges facing this team or department right now?"
4
Step 4: Connect: "How does this role contribute to the company's overall goals and mission?"

The Culture and Team Dynamics Approach

1
Step 1: Begin with: "I'm interested in understanding the team dynamics..."
2
Step 2: Ask: "What is the team culture like and how do team members typically collaborate?"
3
Step 3: Explore: "What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?"
4
Step 4: Connect: "What is the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?"

Further Reading

"The Art of the Interview" by James Storey
"Cracking the Code to a Successful Interview" by Evan Pellett
"The Interview Playbook" by John Lees
"Interview Like a Pro" by Rob Yeung

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