By Debbi Bunch, March 3, 2025
When you think about preparing for a job interview, you are mainly concerned about having answers ready for the hiring manager’s questions.
Many times, though, the hiring manager will bring the interview to a close by asking you if you have any questions for them. It is tempting to think that this is just a polite way for the interviewer to end the session, which means you need to say, “No, I think we’ve covered everything.”
But in many cases, the hiring manager wants to hear what you have to say, so it is a good idea to have a few questions lined up that will provide you with more information about the organization and possibly impress the interviewer.
What makes a good question for this part of the interview? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- First, consider what you have already discussed. The last thing you want to do is ask a question that has already been answered. Instead, build off the conversation that has just taken place.
For example, suppose you’ve already discussed the units you would be assigned to work in. In that case, you can gain some clarity on how often you would be working in each one with a question like, “I know I will be rotating between the floors and the ICUs, but can you give me an idea of how much time I will be spending in each area?”
- Second, personalize your questions whenever possible. This lets the hiring manager know that you are visualizing yourself in the position and will lead them to visualize it, too.
For example, instead of asking, “What does your onboarding process entail?” you might ask, “What will I be learning during the onboarding process that will help me adapt to your processes and protocols here at NAME OF HOSPITAL?”
- Third, let the hiring manager know you are thinking about your future by asking about career paths or opportunities for advancement.
For example, if your ultimate goal is to break into management, you could ask, “What attributes do you look for when considering a staff therapist for a promotion into a supervisory role, and why are these attributes most important to you?
- Fourth, don’t be afraid to ask questions you’d like to know the answers to. While it’s best to steer clear of questions related to salary or other topics that would make the hiring manager question your attitude, everything else should be on the table, including questions about work/life balance.
For example, if you know for sure that a job where you will be expected to work more than one weekend a month will not fit into your life as a mom with three kids, there is nothing wrong with a question like this: “How flexible are you about working around family obligations when it comes to staffing, particularly on the weekends?”
Roughing out a list of questions beforehand to ask during an interview can help you think on your feet if and/or when the interviewer turns the tables on you and asks you if you have any questions for them. Use that time to emphasize your strong points and uncover information on anything that hasn’t been addressed.
