Ask the employer about their short-term and long-term goals for the position you’re applying for.

Sure, you have an idea of what you want to achieve if you’re hired for the job. However, it’s important to know what the company wants you to achieve to meet their goals. Having a permanent solution for a problem is better than coming up with a temporary quick fix.

Show interest as to why the last person left the job.

Not all hiring managers might answer this question, but asking about the reason why the last person left the job will give you a clearer picture of the position you’re applying for. For example, the person may have gotten a promotion or accepted a better job in a different city. This may be a sign that the position could be your springboard to success.

Inquire about the typical working day.

You’ll want to get an idea of the environment you’ll be facing on a day-to-day basis. How would your role be essential to the company? Are you going to spend your days typing in front of a computer or speaking with several managers from time to time? Asking these questions should give you an idea if you are up for the job.

Find out the challenges involved in taking the job.

You’ll need to know the challenges you’ll be up against if you accept the job. Honest hiring managers will tell you what lies ahead in order to help you anticipate what’s coming. This is your time to be optimistic and relay your thoughts on how you could do the job and face the obstacles positively.

Directly ask if the interviewer if he or she has doubts about you taking the position.

Doing this prompts them to tell you what they are most worried about. If the interview started on the wrong foot, this is the perfect time to clear up all misunderstandings and make sure that all concerns are addressed.

It doesn’t hurt to ask when the company will be making a decision on your job application.

It’s not wrong to ask your prospective employer when they plan to arrive at a decision. Ask what to expect and how long the interview process will take. This will give you an idea of the time frame of the hiring process, as well as how promptly the organization makes decisions.

Asking questions during a job interview is rarely a bad thing. However, you need to know the right types of questions to ask. After all, the interviewer shouldn’t be the only one who gets to ask questions during an interview.