When a recruiter asks "Do you have any questions?", the answer "no" is a missed chance. The recruiter knows things you can't find online: how the process works, what the team is struggling with, how flexible the pay is, and what makes candidates succeed. Good questions also show that you're serious.
Below are 22 questions grouped by when to ask them, and a few to avoid.
In the first call
About the role
- Why is this role open? Is it new or a replacement?
- What are the top priorities for the person in the first six months?
- What does the day-to-day work look like?
- How would success be measured in the first year?
- Who would I report to, and who would I work with most?
About the team and company
- How big is the team, and how long have people been on it?
- What's the biggest challenge the team faces right now?
- How would you describe the culture of this team?
- How does the company support learning and growth?
About the process
- What are the stages of the interview process, and who will I meet?
- How long does each stage usually take, and what's the overall timeline?
- Is there anything I should prepare, such as a task or presentation?
- Who makes the final decision?
Practical questions
Logistics and conditions
- Is the role remote, hybrid, or on-site, and is that flexible?
- Is there travel, and how often?
- What are the typical working hours, and is there on-call or weekend work?
- Is there a start date you're aiming for?
Compensation
- What's the salary range for this role? (Ask if the posting doesn't list it. Several US states and cities require employers to share ranges.)
- What does the benefits package include, and when does it start?
- Is there a bonus or equity, and how does it work?
If the recruiter asks you for your number first, see our phone screen guide for how to handle it.
After the interview
- What are the next steps, and when can I expect to hear from you?
- Is there anything about my background you'd like me to clarify, or any concerns I can address?
The last question is useful. It gives you a chance to fix a doubt before a decision is made.
Questions to avoid in the first call
| Avoid | Why | Ask instead |
|---|---|---|
| "What does the company do?" | Shows no research | "I read about X. How does this team fit?" |
| "How much vacation do I get?" first thing | Reads as low interest | Wait until later stages |
| "Can I work from home all the time?" as your first question | Better framed after fit is established | "What's the work model for this role?" |
| "How fast can I be promoted?" | Sounds like you're looking past the job | "How do people grow in this team?" |
| Anything you can find on the website | Wastes time | Ask for something deeper |
How to ask well
- Pick three or four questions that you really care about, and don't read a list.
- Listen to the answers and ask a follow-up. It shows you're engaged.
- Write down what you learn so you can compare offers.
- Keep it to the time the recruiter has. If the call is 20 minutes, two or three questions are enough.
- Ask about what matters to you, such as flexibility or growth. The goal is to find the right fit, not only to be picked.
What to listen for
| Answer | What it might mean |
|---|---|
| "The role is open because the team grew" | Good: investment in the area |
| "The last person left after six months" | Ask why, and ask other people |
| Vague about the process or timeline | Disorganized hiring, or no decision yet |
| Can't share a salary range | Ask again, or check market data |
| Very different descriptions from different people | The role may not be well defined |
Before the call
Read the job posting and the company's site, look up the recruiter and the team on LinkedIn, and write down your priorities, such as pay range, location, and growth. A short list in your notes is fine to use on a call. See our guides to how long interviews take and reviewing interviews with a transcript.
Follow the employer's rules on AI tools in any live interview.
Practice recruiter calls with YesToTheOffer
Run a mock phone screen, practice your questions out loud, and review your transcript afterward. 30 free minutes, no subscription.
