Questions to Ask an Interviewer in an IT Interview

When you apply for a job, it’s a guarantee that an interview with members of the organization you intend to join will happen. As much as the organization is looking to see if you would be a good fit for them, you should also ensure that they are also a fit for you. In that regard, here are some of the questions you should ask during an IT interview:

What does the tech team look like?

This question includes some sub-questions that would give you an insight into the team structure. In phrasing the question, you would go on to ask about the team size, different sub-teams (engineering and product sub-teams) and how they work together. It would give you an idea of the workload, escalation possibilities, and work culture.

What are the daily responsibilities of this role?

This would give you an understanding of how tasks are assigned, how often they have meetings, what agile methodologies they practice (if they do) and their communication channels.

What is the approach to problem-solving?

Problem-solving in this case refers to figuring out how to proceed when you are stuck on a particular task. Some organizations want you to exhaust all options of finding a solution before escalating to a team member, while others want you to escalate as soon as possible.

What is the path for growth?

As an intern, junior or mid-level engineer, it is important to know if there’s a clear path to move from one level to another and what is required to make that move. It would also help understand performance metrics. For senior engineers, the path for growth may involve moving to another organization to take the next step as an Engineering Manager or CTO, especially if it’s not a large organization. In larger organizations, you may want to ask about parallel growth paths on the technical track (like Principal or Staff Engineer) versus the management track

Are there opportunities for professional development?

While it is important to ask this, it’s very important to put the status of the company in perspective. A lean startup may not be able to provide professional courses or reimburse you for the ones you take, but they have that in the pipeline for the future. However, larger organizations should be looking to provide learning opportunities for their staff. This shows that they are willing to give back as much as you give to the organization. That they care about your career, not just your work.

 A Bonus Question

Depending on who is conducting the technical interview, you can ask how they decided to start the company. For sure, it depends on whether you are interviewing with the cofounder, and if the interview atmosphere is conducive enough for it. It gives insight into what the company is built on and the driving force behind whatever results are intended.

Beyond asking specific questions, your overall preparation is just as important. As a rule of thumb, you should:

• Tailor your questions: Ensure that your questions don’t seem like you are ticking off a checklist. Pay attention to what is being said, so as not to ask questions that have already been answered.
• Research the company: Make sure to have a background knowledge of what the organization does. Visit their website, LinkedIn, and other social media pages they may have.‍
• Avoid asking about salary: Keep the focus on the technical side of things, let them understand that the work is important to you. Discussion about salary should be brought up by the interviewers, which may be a later stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I always have a question?

The answer is yes. You need to show that you are interested in the job itself. The organization and what it has to offer beyond just the salary.

Is it okay to ask about work-life balance?

Yes, it is okay to ask. You want to know ahead of time the hours you will be committing to, how flexible your schedule will be, and what works for you.

How many questions do I prepare?

There isn’t a fixed number of questions to ask, but you should have at least 2 or 3 questions to ask. Questions about the role, the team, the company, the future are important. Be careful not to ask questions that have already been answered during the interview.