Good questions to ask the interviewer, and which to skip
Questions to ask the interviewer at the end of a job interview, grouped by what you need to know: the work, hours and tools, the client and next steps.
5 min read. Updated . By Catalyst Outsourcing.
Almost every interview ends the same way: "Do you have any questions for us?" Saying "none" ends the call on a flat note. Two or three good questions show you've thought about the job, and the answers help you decide whether you want it.
Why you should always ask something
CareerBldr's guide is blunt about it: "Weak questions, or no questions at all, suggest you're either unprepared or not particularly invested." It suggests asking two to four questions and preparing five to eight, because some will get answered before the end.
The answers help you too. How they describe the work and the hours tells you more than the job post did.
How to choose your questions
Pick the questions whose answers would change your decision. If you can't work past 6pm, the hours question matters more than anything about the company's plans. Write your questions down before the call, and tick off any they answer along the way.
Skip anything the job post or their website already answers. Asking what the company does tells them you didn't look.
Three questions to ask in any interview
- "What does a normal day in this role look like?"
- "What would you like me to get done in the first month?"
- "What's the next step after this interview, and when should I expect to hear back?"
The first, which Workable also puts at the top of its list, tells you what the job is beyond the post. The second tells you what they'll judge you on. The third tells you when to follow up if you don't hear back.
Questions about hours, tools and your setup
For a remote job, these matter as much as the work itself:
- "Which hours do you need me online, and in which time zone?"
- "Which tools will I use, and will I have access to them on my first day?"
- "How do you like updates: a chat message, an email or a short call?"
- "Will I use my own laptop, or will you send one?"
- "What should I do if my power or internet goes out during a shift?"
The hours question is the one people forget. "Day shift" can mean 9 to 6 in Manila or an early start for a client in Australia, so ask for the times in your own time zone. Our guide to working with Singapore clients covers what a normal day on GMT+8 hours looks like.
Questions for the recruiter, and for the client
Many remote jobs have two interviews: one with the recruiter or agency, then one with the client. On DayShift, that's a short interview with us first, then the client's interview if you're shortlisted. Ask each of them different things.
For the recruiter:
- "What kind of business is the client, and how big is their team?"
- "How many interviews are there after this one?"
- "Is the role part-time or full-time, and when would it start?"
For the client:
- "What would make you glad you hired me three months from now?"
- "What did the last person in this role do well, and what would you like done differently?"
- "Who will I work with day to day?"
Questions about the first week and the next step
- "Who will show me how things work in my first week?"
- "How will you judge whether I'm doing well in the first month?"
- "Is there anything about my experience you'd like me to explain more?"
The last one feels bold, but it gives you a chance to fix a doubt before they decide. If they mention something, answer it in two sentences and thank them.
Questions to skip in a first interview
- "What does your company do?" Look it up before the call.
- "How soon can I get a raise?" Save it until they've seen your work.
- "Can I work other jobs at the same time?" If it matters, ask the recruiter, not the client.
- "What's the salary?" Check the listing first. If it doesn't show the pay, ask the recruiter, not the client, and have your own number ready: see how to answer "what is your expected salary".
For the rest of the call, from testing your camera to what to send afterwards, read our job interview tips for remote jobs. Every other common question, with a sample answer, is on our page of interview questions and answers. When you're ready, see open jobs.
Questions
How many questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Two or three. Prepare five or more, because some will get answered during the interview.
What if they already answered all my questions?
Say so, and mention one answer you liked. Then ask about the next step, which they rarely cover before the end.
Can I ask about pay in the interview?
Ask the recruiter, not the client, and only if the listing didn't show it.
Should I ask questions in the recruiter interview too?
Yes. Ask about the client, the hours and how many interviews come next. It's the easiest place to ask practical questions.
Sources
- CareerBldr, 35 Smart Questions to Ask the Interviewer (Organized by Topic), https://careerbldr.com/blog/questions-to-ask-interviewer/, read 7 October 2026
- Workable, 5 questions to ask your interviewer, https://resources.workable.com/career-center/5-questions-to-ask-your-interviewer-in-2022/, read 7 October 2026