Landing an interview is exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking if you don’t know what to expect. The truth is, preparation isn’t just about rehearsing your answers or polishing your resume. It’s also about gathering the correct information ahead of time so you can show up confident, informed, and ready to connect.
Too many candidates skip this critical step. They assume the company will automatically share all the details they need. But here’s the thing: not every hiring team provides this information upfront, and if they don’t, it’s absolutely your right to ask.
Three Questions To Ask
Doing your homework shows initiative, professionalism, and genuine interest in the role. It also helps you tailor your responses, avoid surprises, and stand out from other applicants. Below are three essential questions to ask before your interview, along with how each one sets you up for success.
1. “Who will I be interviewing with, and do they have a bio on the company website? If not, could you send it to me?”
This simple question is a game-changer. Knowing who you’ll be speaking with allows you to do your research, find common ground, and prepare relevant questions.
Start by looking up your interviewer’s bio on the company’s website or LinkedIn. Please take note of their career path, role within the organization, and any shared professional interests. Maybe you both attended the same university, worked in similar industries, or share a passion for community involvement. Mentioning these connections can help you build rapport quickly.
Understanding the interviewer’s background also helps you tailor your talking points. For example, if you’re meeting with a department manager, you can focus on how your experience aligns with team goals or project outcomes. If you’re meeting with an executive, highlight how your work contributes to the company’s big-picture strategy.
You can even craft a few thoughtful questions specific to their area of expertise, such as:
- “I noticed you’ve led several product launches. What do you think makes them successful here?”
- “You’ve been with the company for several years—how has the team evolved over time?”
When you show that you’ve done your research, you send a strong message: you’re serious about this opportunity and you respect their time.
2. “Could you send me the official job description?”
Even if you’ve read the job posting online, don’t assume that’s the whole picture. The listing you saw on Indeed or LinkedIn is often just a shortened or simplified version of the official job description.
The official description is the document that outlines the role in detail—everything from daily responsibilities and reporting structure to performance expectations and key objectives. It’s also your best window into company culture. Pay attention to the language used: does it emphasize teamwork, innovation, customer focus, or precision? These clues can guide how you frame your answers during the interview.
This document often lists the benefits, salary range, and advancement opportunities. Having that information upfront helps you prepare for compensation discussions later in the process.
When you review the job description, highlight key skills or qualifications and match them to your own experiences. Prepare short examples or stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully used those skills in the past.
For instance, if the job description emphasizes “cross-departmental collaboration,” consider a project where you successfully collaborated with teams. That story could be gold in your interview.
3. “What type of interview will this be? How many interviews are in the process?”
This question helps you eliminate uncertainty and tailor your preparation. Believe it or not, there are nine different types of interviews, ranging from initial phone screenings to technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and even social or cultural fit interviews.
The most common is the screening interview, which is often used to confirm your qualifications and assess your overall fit. A behavioral interview focuses on how you’ve handled specific situations in the past (“Tell me about a time when…”). A technical interview might include problem-solving exercises or case studies to test your expertise. And a social interview, such as lunch with a potential team, evaluates how you might fit into the company culture.
Knowing what kind of interview you’ll have helps you prepare the right examples, tone, and mindset. If it’s behavioral, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. If it’s technical, brush up on key skills and prepare to walk through your thought process.
Asking how many interviews are in the process also gives you insight into the hiring timeline. You’ll know whether to expect multiple rounds and can plan accordingly.
Information Is Confidence
Asking these questions doesn’t make you pushy—it makes you prepared. Employers appreciate candidates who take initiative and demonstrate professionalism from the very first interaction.
So before your next interview, take the time to gather these details. Review who you’ll be meeting, study the official job description, and learn what type of interview to expect. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll walk into that room (or video call) not just ready—but confident, capable, and one step ahead.
Remember, interviews aren’t just about them choosing you. They’re also about you choosing them, and the best decisions come from being fully informed.
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