These questions will help you walk out of an interview feeling confident you left the right impression.
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, and there’s nothing worse than walking away unsure if you made a strong enough impression.
But don’t worry—a leadership and career coach on TikTok has shared five key questions that could help turn the tide in your favor.
These questions are designed to ensure you stand out while also giving you valuable insight into the role and company.
It’s easy to focus so much on answering their questions that by the end, you just want to get out of the room.
But taking the time to ask thoughtful, well-placed questions could be the difference between blending in and being remembered.
Louise Thompson, known as Leadwithlouise on TikTok, broke down why these five questions matter and how they can help leave a lasting impression on your potential employers.
Building a good relationship with just a few questions will surely help your chances of getting the job
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‘What does success look like in this role?’
Louise describes this as her absolute must-ask question.
“If you’re interviewing for a senior role or a leadership position, what does success look like for me in this role? What does good look like? What does outstanding look like?,” she says.
This question is a great way to align expectations and gain clarity on what success actually means in the role. It also helps you determine whether the position is the right fit for you.
‘Is this a new role, or am I replacing someone?’
According to Louise, the second question requires a bit of finesse to bring up, but it’s an important one that can reveal a lot about the company’s needs and expectations.
She explained: “Question number two can be quite revealing. You need to ask it in the right way. But basically you want to ask, if it hasn’t already been established, Is this a newly created role, or are you replacing somebody? Could you tell me a little bit more about what you’re looking for in their replacement?”
This can give you insight into whether you’re stepping into a fresh opportunity or filling the shoes of someone else, which may come with its own challenges.
‘How is performance evaluated in this role?’
Understanding how your performance will be assessed can help set clear expectations from day one.
Louise highlights the importance of asking: “Number three ensures that the interviewing panel knows you are focused on getting results and performing at your best. You’re going to ask, How is performance measured here? What does the performance review process look like? And again, what does success look like for me in this role?”
“It’s another way of asking that question, but with a bit more detail. You want to go further, you can also then ask, talk to me about the first 90 to 100 days in this role.”
Knowing how your success will be measured gives you a head start on meeting company goals and excelling in the role.
‘What is the top quality you’re looking for in a candidate?’
This question allows you to get straight to the point. If the hiring manager hasn’t already spelled it out, this is your chance to find out exactly what they want in their ideal candidate.
Louise shared: “Question four is the number one thing they are looking for in the successful candidate. It may or may not have come up earlier in the interview, but this is your chance to really nail them on this question, what’s the one thing above all else that you are looking for in your successful hire?”
By understanding their top priority, you can use the opportunity to highlight how you fit that criteria before the interview wraps up.
Leaving the interviewer with a good lasting impression is pretty integral
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‘What do you enjoy most about working here?’
Ending on a positive note, Louise suggests asking this question to encourage a more natural and personal conversation.
It also gives you a sneak peek into the company culture from the people who work there.
She explained: “Number five, another revealing question, but it’s kind of wrapped up in a lovely, cozy, warm way of putting it, and it is simply to ask them, What do you love about working here? Tell me a little bit about the company from your perspective and what you enjoy about the culture.”
While asking these questions won’t guarantee a job offer, they can certainly help improve your chances.
The goal is to show curiosity, confidence, and a genuine interest in the company—qualities that could make you stand out among other candidates.