“Those are all of the questions we have for you, do you have any questions for us?”
This classic final interview question is certainly more than just a placeholder. It’s an opportunity to express interest and ask questions that help you evaluate company culture. For LGBTQ+ job seekers in particular, understanding whether a workplace aligns with your values and supports inclusion can play a key role in where you choose to apply, accept offers, and ultimately thrive. Below are a few questions to consider asking employers at the end of your interview, along with the insights they may provide.
Question 1: “Can you share an example of how the organization’s values show up in day-to-day work?” – This question helps you move beyond values stated on a website to better understand how employees perceive and act on them in practice.
Question 2: “What opportunities or resources exist for employees to connect across departments, such as through employee resource groups (ERGs) or other networking initiatives?” -This question can help you learn more about specific employee resource groups, and may also provide insight into how new employees are supported in building connections and adjusting when starting a new role.
Question 3: “How are decisions typically made within the team, and what factors are most important in the decision-making process?” This question can help provide insight into how hierarchy, communication, and feedback show up in practice when decisions are being made.
Question 4: “What’s something you didn’t realize or learn about company culture until you began working here?” This offers a different approach to asking about company culture and may lead to a more honest conversation about what employees have learned, appreciated, or even found challenging along the way.
These are just a few sample questions to help you prepare for your next interview. Ultimately, the best questions to ask are the ones you are genuinely curious about and those that will help you evaluate fit. Of course, there are many strategies to evaluate company culture and values prior to the interview, including company research, reviewing policies and benefits, and connecting with alumni. Mentor Match is a great tool to begin having conversations with alumni about transitioning to the workforce and evaluating company fit.
