Why You Must Ask Questions in Your Next Tech Interview

As an experienced software engineer and interviewer, I‘ve seen far too many candidates pass up the opportunity to ask questions at the end of their tech interviews. According to data from the hiring platform Vettery, 64% of job seekers don‘t ask any questions in interviews. That means the majority of candidates are missing out on a critical chance to learn valuable information, differentiate themselves, and determine if the role is even a good fit.

When I was early in my career, I didn‘t appreciate the importance of asking questions either. I thought my only objective in interviews was to impress the company and secure an offer. I figured it was the interviewer‘s job to ask all the questions.

But over the 100+ interviews I‘ve conducted, I‘ve learned that the best candidates always come prepared with thoughtful, well-researched questions to ask me. Doing so demonstrates their enthusiasm for the role, their intellectual curiosity, and their commitment to finding the right long-term fit.

Research backs this up too. A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that asking questions in job interviews is associated with higher ratings of interview performance and greater job acceptance intentions. In other words, candidates who ask the interviewer questions are seen as stronger applicants and are more likely to feel positively about accepting the job if offered.

Questions help you gather critical information

When you ask your interviewers targeted questions, you gain insight into the role, the team, the technology, the company, and the culture – all essential factors in determining whether a job is right for you.

I once interviewed for a full-stack engineering role where I made sure to ask detailed questions about the front-end and back-end tech stacks. Through those questions, I learned that the role required working extensively with an outdated JavaScript framework I wasn‘t excited to use. That important detail wasn‘t included in the job description, but by probing for more information, I gained clarity that the position wasn‘t an ideal technical fit for me.

On the flip side, when I interviewed for my current role, asking questions gave me the confidence that it was the perfect step for my career. I learned that the team was working on a greenfield machine learning platform (an area I wanted to gain experience in), that there were ample opportunities for mentorship and professional development, and that the company had an engineering culture of collaboration, learning, and work-life balance.

Without asking those questions, I would have missed out on key information that helped me evaluate the opportunity. The stakes are high when making a career move – you want to go in eyes wide open with a thorough understanding of what to expect.

Questions allow you to showcase your skills and interest

Asking intelligent, well-thought-out questions doesn‘t just help you gather information – it also gives you a chance to make a positive final impression and differentiate yourself from other applicants.

Karl Sakas, an agency consultant who trains companies on hiring, says that asking questions shows the depth of your thinking and previews what you‘d be like to work with. By asking specific questions about the problems the team is facing and offering your ideas, you demonstrate the technical knowledge and problem-solving skills you would bring to the role.

For example, if you ask the interviewer to describe the biggest challenge their team is currently tackling and then share an example of how you approached a similar situation in the past, you‘ll make a memorable impact by showcasing your directly relevant experience.

Asking pertinent questions also communicates your enthusiasm for the company and the work they‘re doing. It signals that you‘ve done your research, you‘re invested in the opportunity, and you‘re thinking seriously about how you would contribute in the role.

Keith Tatley – a manager at Reputation.com – sums it up well: "Asking questions is a way to demonstrate technical knowledge, cultural fit, and soft skills to your interviewer. Candidates that do not ask questions miss an opportunity to impress."

What to ask to make the most of your opportunity

So what specific questions will help you learn important information and make a positive impression? Based on my experience on both sides of the interview table, I recommend focusing your questions on five core areas:

1. The work itself: Ask for details on the day-to-day responsibilities of the role, the technical challenges the team is facing, and the projects you would contribute to. Example questions:

• "What would a typical day or week look like in this role?"
• "What are the biggest technical challenges the team is working on solving right now?"
• "Can you tell me about a recent project the team shipped and what the engineering process was like?"

2. The team: Dig into the team structure, size, and dynamics. Get a feel for how the team collaborates and what the balance of senior and junior engineers is. Example questions:

• "What is the structure of the engineering department and where does this team sit within it?"
• "How many engineers are on the team and what is the breakdown of experience levels?"
• "How does the team approach collaboration and pair programming?"

3. The tech stack: If it hasn‘t already been covered, ask for specifics on the languages, frameworks, tools, and platforms the team uses. Probe into their code review and testing practices. Example questions:

• "What is your tech stack and how do the front-end and back-end technologies interface?"
• "What is the team‘s approach to automated testing and continuous integration?"
• "How often does the team evaluate new technologies to add to the stack?"

4. The company: Ask about the company‘s overall mission, product strategy, and growth plans. Inquire about how the engineering team‘s work fits into the bigger picture. Example questions:

• "What is the company‘s long-term vision and how does engineering contribute to achieving it?"
• "How do product and engineering work together to define the roadmap?"
• "What are the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead for the business?"

5. The culture: Culture has a massive impact on your day-to-day work experience and overall job satisfaction. Ask questions to get a true sense of the company‘s values and work environment. Example questions:

• "How would you describe the culture within engineering and the company as a whole?"
• "What does work-life balance look like for the team in practice?"
• "How does the company support diversity and inclusion?"

Of course, the most impactful questions are the ones specific to your own priorities and preferences. Think about what matters most to you in a role and workplace and come prepared with questions that will help you evaluate those factors.

For example, if professional development is a top priority for you, you could ask something like: "I‘m very interested in continuing to grow as an engineer. What opportunities exist for learning, mentorship, and taking on new challenges?"

What not to ask

There are a few types of questions I recommend steering clear of in interviews. Avoid asking anything that could be easily answered by reviewing the company‘s website or job description. You don‘t want to ask something basic that you could have found out on your own with a little research.

I also suggest holding off on asking about salary, benefits, vacation time, and other HR matters until you have an offer in hand. While those details are certainly important, asking about them prematurely can send a signal that you‘re more focused on what the company can do for you versus what you can contribute in the role.

Finally, don‘t ask vague questions like "What‘s it like to work here?" Those overly broad questions put the burden on the interviewer to guess what information you‘re seeking. Instead, ask specific questions that show you‘ve put thought into what you want to learn.

Take charge of finding your ideal fit

Interviewing for a new job is stressful – I get it. When you‘re in the hot seat being grilled with technical questions, it‘s easy to get caught up in trying to impress and lose sight of your own needs in the process.

But always remember that interviews are a two-way street. Yes, the company is evaluating you, but you should be actively evaluating the opportunity as well. The best outcome is not just landing a job, but landing a job that is an excellent fit for your skills, goals, and preferred working environment.

Asking smart, targeted questions is your secret weapon for achieving that ideal outcome. You‘ll gain a clearer picture of the role and be able to make an informed decision if an offer comes. You‘ll demonstrate your interest and abilities. And you‘ll set yourself up to hit the ground running in a job where you can truly thrive.

So as you head into your next interview, don‘t let those final minutes go to waste. Seize the opportunity to flip the script, ask the insightful questions you‘ve prepared, and take charge of finding your best-fit role. You‘ve got this!