Let’s be real: job interviews are basically personality tests in business casual.

You walk in (or log on) feeling like you studied for an exam where the questions are vibes-based, and somehow you’re expected to answer like a seasoned TED Talk speaker.

But here’s what people forget: you’re not the only one being assessed. This isn’t a one-way interrogation — it’s your moment to gather intel too. And asking the right questions at the end? That’s your power play.

We tapped a Certified Career Coach Expert for the inside scoop, and trust us — these 5 questions will not only make you memorable, they’ll help you figure out if the job is even worth your emotional investment.

1. “What makes someone really thrive here… and what makes someone struggle?”

Forget the “we’re like a family” fluff. This one peels back the curtain. How they define success (and failure) says a lot about expectations, leadership style, and whether they value humans or just KPIs. If they can’t articulate it?

2. “What’s one challenge the team is currently facing?”

Translation: Are you walking into a fire or a fixer-upper with a strategy? Bonus: It gives you a chance to position yourself as the solution. Confidence, but make it tactical.

3. “If you could change one thing about the company or team, what would it be — and why?”

This one’s sneaky-smart. It keeps the energy positive while inviting real talk about weak spots. And the “why” helps you understand if the pain points are being addressed… or just being ignored.

4. “Do you have any hesitations about my fit for this role?”

Yes, it’s bold. But it screams self-awareness and growth mindset. Even if the interviewer says no, you’ve just left them thinking, wait, they actually care about doing this well? That’s main character energy.

5. “Can you share an example of when your team culture really showed up in action?”

Buzzwords are cute — but can they be backed up? If they say “collaborative,” you want receipts. A real-life example of how they walk the talk tells you way more than any company “About” page ever will.

TL;DR:

Asking smart questions isn’t just a way to flex your curiosity — it’s how you reclaim your seat at the table. Because you are also interviewing them.

And if they can’t handle a few well-placed questions? Maybe they’re not the ones.