35 Unique Interview Questions To Ask Employer 2024 | Top Questions To Ask An Interviewer

Published September 20, 2022 · · Updated August 23, 2024 · 13 minutes · by Kamerpower ·

35 Unique Interview Questions To Ask Employer 2024 | Top Questions To Ask An Interviewer. An interview isn’t just a chance for the hiring manager to grill you, it’s your opportunity to sniff out whether a position would be as great for you as you would be for the position. So it’s vital to ask some questions of your own. 

We’ve put together a list of key questions to ask in an interview. This list of unique and creative interview questions to ask an interviewer will make this easy. Most job seekers ask the same generic questions in their interviews. And they’re missing a big opportunity to impress the employer.

Smart Questions To Ask About The Interviewer | Killer Interview Questions To Ask Employers

What are the top questions to ask an interviewer? Asking these questions shows that you’re interested in your interviewer as a person and that’s a great way to build rapport with a future colleague. There are a number of unique interview questions you can ask employers, but some will be more beneficial to you than others. 

• What did you do before this?
• Why did you come to this company?
• What’s your favorite part about working here?
• What part of your job are you most excited about over the next few months?
• Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you’re especially interested in?
• How long have you been with the company?
• Has your role changed since you’ve been here?
• What’s one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?
• Video Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions.

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What Are Unique Interview Questions to Ask Employers?

1. What would success look like in the first 90 days?

This follows the pattern of a couple of the questions above – it shows them that you’re focused on success in the role and already thinking ahead about how to be a big success for them. That’s going to get them excited about you as a candidate because it shows them that you care about helping their company, not just getting paid. kamerpower.com

2. Why did you say “yes” when the position you hold now was offered to you?

It’s nice to ask at least one question to learn about the interviewer and their personal experience at the company. Everyone likes to talk about themselves, so most interviewers will be happy to share their experiences here. If you meet with three employees from a company, you can ask all three about this topic without looking bad in the interview.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of the role?

This Unique interview questions to ask employers shows employers that you’re realistic and ready for a challenge and that you realize it’s not going to be comfortable at the beginning. It’s also a relatively uncommon question that most job seekers don’t ask the interviewer, so you’ll get bonus points for being different.

4. What are you hoping I’d accomplish in the first year here?

You may not know where you see yourself in five years, but an employer at least wants to see that you’re planning to stay with the company for a year or more. So consider asking a question about what the employer hopes you’d do in the first year with them, and then what the second year would look like (including potential promotions, additional responsibilities, etc.) So this question will help you know how this employer treats their employees beyond the initial training period and into future years.

5. Why do you think I should accept this position?

This unique interview question to ask an employer turns things around and encourages the interviewer to highlight the job’s best selling points. You’ve spent most of the hiring process convincing the hiring manager why you’re a good fit. Now it’s their turn. Be cautious with this one, and be mindful of the tone of your voice. It can easily come off the wrong way. To avoid mixed messages, reiterate your interest in the position and keep things positive.

6. After I master the basics here, what opportunities are provided for continued learning and career growth?

Asking about professional development and long-term career outlook in a role is yet another way to show that you’re goal-oriented while finding out valuable info to help you decide whether to accept or decline the job offer if it gets to that point. Always ask at least one question about how the company will help you grow long-term. This is a killer interview question to ask the employer because they’ll see that you’re planning on staying with the company for a long time and planning on being highly successful in the role.

7. Do your team members/employees get together outside of work hours?

This is an interesting unique interview question that will help you know how close the team is and whether they get together after work. If this type of thing doesn’t matter to you when selecting a position, then you don’t need to ask it. But I like work environments where people get along and occasionally meet outside of work, so if you’re the same as me and want to find out about this, then it’s a great, creative question that you can ask.

8. What soft skills are most important in this role?

You can typically figure out what hard skills are required by looking at a job description, but it may be tougher to know what type of soft skills an employer wants. So I recommend asking them about this topic in the interview.

9. What are the next steps in the interview process and when can I expect to hear back?

While not as creative as some of the questions above… this is a strong question to ask an interviewer because it shows that you’re organized and interested in the role. This question will also give you insight into what to expect after the interview ends, so you’ll be less anxious while waiting for feedback.

10. What are your company values, and how do they impact the work here?

Many candidates will ask employers about the role and the company in general. For example, they’ll ask, “What will the typical day here look like?” That’s not a particularly creative or unique question to ask the interviewer, though. They’ve heard it over and over. And they’ve also heard generic questions about the company culture. So that’s why you’ll benefit from this unique question, which is a bit more creative and combines the two topics.

11. Who are your top competitors and why do people choose to work for you over them?

The question shows a general interest in their company, industry, and how they fit with their competitors. One note: You should have more questions about the actual job, what you’ll be working on, the challenges of the position itself, etc.

12. How fast is the company growing?

This is another Unique Interview Questions To Ask Employer, it shows you’re a big-picture thinker, and that you like to be aware of what’s going on not just in your role and group, but also in the broader organization. It also shows that you’re looking for a long-term move for your career, not just a place to stay a few months and work.

13. Have other people failed in this position, and why?

In your job search, it’s a good idea to ask about whether people have struggled in a role you’re thinking of taking. The company’s answer can give you valuable information about how to succeed if hired, but can also warn about a position with some potential red flags. For example, if a company says that each person they’ve hired failed to learn the required skills, you’d be smart to ask the interviewer about the training process and how much time each person was given to learn the role.

14. Does your company have any advantages over your competitors in the market?

Asking this in your job interview will show that you’re a big-picture thinker and someone who is naturally curious and interested in the overall business. While most candidates are just asking about the role and day-to-day work (which you should, too, by the way), you’re ALSO asking about something bigger/broader, to show that you’re able to see the bigger picture and think at a higher level.

15. What’s the first problem or challenge the person you hire will need to tackle?

This question shows that you’re coming in focused and ready to contribute from day one. It also shows that you’re making sure to look for a position that you’re well-equipped to handle. So you’ll build trust with the company, and show them that you’re a motivated candidate. That’s a win-win.

16. What has been your best experience working here?

This is another personality-based question from our list of unique interview questions to ask employer, which means you can ask multiple people in your job interview. It’s also unique and engaging and could spark a great conversation. Then, you can build more rapport and get to know the interviewer.

17. What have people gone on to do in the company after holding this position?

This is important to know for your future career growth, and asking this also shows the interviewer that you’re goal-oriented and motivated. That will help you get more job offers. Every company likes to see this in their candidates.

18. How often do you promote people internally?

Most companies won’t only promote from within, but you should look for some balance at least. You can also follow this up by asking the interviewer, “How would you describe the company’s internal promotion process? What does an employee do if they’d like to apply for a higher role in the company, and how are employees able to hear about these internal opportunities?”

19. How do performance reviews work here?

Don’t take a job without knowing what your performance review process will look like. It’s important to know how often reviews (and pay raises) are given, who decides whether your performance is satisfactory, which specific aspects of your work are graded, and more.

20. What are your biggest concerns about the department/team right now?

This is another question to ask the hiring manager in a job interview (not HR). It’ll force them to think and be honest about the downsides of the job and company. You don’t want to accept a job without knowing what you’re getting into, right?

21. How would you describe your management style?

Ask this question to your potential next boss (not HR or a recruiter) to find out whether you’ll enjoy working in this type of environment and under this type of management style. It’s a thoughtful question that the typical company doesn’t hear often, and it’ll make the employer think before answering. 

22. What are some traits that would make someone not a good fit for this role?

Most hiring managers don’t get asked this (which is a good thing – for you). Ask this question to show them that you’re careful and thoughtful in your job hunt (which is the opposite of desperate) – and that you’re looking for the right fit, not the first job offered to you.

23. How long has the job been open and where are you currently in the hiring process?

This is one of the favorite Unique interview questions to ask employer because it will provide you with valuable information about the hiring process and situation “behind the scenes.” This can help you know what to expect as the process continues, and it’s also an original question that most candidates aren’t asking, so you’ll stand out in the interview.

24. What would success look like in the first 90 days?

This shows them that you’re focused on success in the role and already thinking ahead about how to be a big success for them. That’s going to get them excited about you as a candidate because it shows them that you care about helping their company, not just getting paid.

25. What are the top skills and traits you’re targeting for this position?

This is another excellent, unique question to ask the interviewer, and most employers don’t hear this often… if at all. This question focuses on their interview process and what they’re thinking behind the scenes. It’s a thoughtful, interesting question, and it’s bold, too! It takes guts to ask this, so it’ll grab the hiring manager’s attention AND make them think a bit to give you a thoughtful response.

26. What’s one thing you’re hoping a new person can bring to the role?

This is a creative, interesting question to ask employers, and as a former recruiter, I recommend it for a few reasons. This question shows that you’re focused on coming into this company’s role and helping them immediately.

27. What about my resume caught your attention for this position?

This is one of the more unique questions to ask the interviewer, and it will reveal what pieces of your background caught their attention. Then, you can make sure to discuss those pieces when answering questions in the interview.

28. What does it take to be successful here?

This Unique interview questions to ask employer demonstrates that you’re not just trying to find a paycheck and be an average performer; you’re aiming to be the best in your career. Hiring managers and other interviewers will love seeing these traits. It’s relatively easy for employers to find someone with the basic skills to do a job, and they can determine that on your resume, but in the job interview, they’re looking for more.

29. Have individuals in this position struggled in the past? If so, why?

Every job has hurdles new hires need to overcome. Asking how others have failed at this job can provide valuable insight. Not only does it encourage the interviewer to talk about what it takes to succeed, but it gives you a glimpse of how to get ahead.

30. What do the most successful people here do differently than everyone else?

This shows the hiring manager that you’re thoughtful, different, and genuinely interested in being a top-performer in this job. This will make them excited to hire you and will help differentiate you from other job seekers.

Top questions to ask about training and professional development

Think of each new opportunity not just as a job, but as the next step on your path to career success. Will this position help you get there?

• Will there be opportunities for stretch assignments where I can learn and use new skills?
• Are there opportunities for advancement within the company?
• Where have successful employees previously in this position progressed to?
• What does your onboarding process look like?
• What learning and professional development opportunities are available to your employees?
• Would I be able to represent the company at industry conferences?

Top Best Unique Interview questions to ask about the job

Make sure you have a handle on exactly what the day-to-day responsibilities of the job will be both now and in the future.

1. What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate?
2. What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
3. What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
4. Is this a new role or will I be taking over for an employee who’s leaving?
5. How does this position contribute to the company overall?
6. Do you expect the main responsibilities for this position to change in the next six months to a year?
7. What does a typical day or week look like in this role? 
8. What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
9. Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?
10. What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
11. What sort of budget would I be working with?