The questions you should (and shouldn't) ask at every job interview

The Age

17-07-2025

From a speedy 20-minute interview to a six-round marathon, there's a common denominator that holds strong when it comes to going for a job. Regardless of the role you've applied for – or the kind of employer – asking thoughtful, genuine questions is timeless.
Claudia Swinton is a director at Samuels Donegan, a Melbourne-based recruitment agency specifically for human resources professionals. She says what you ask during a job interview can elevate or erode everything else you have talked about so far.
When preparing for an interview, she says it's important to 'zoom out and understand the macro'.
That could include researching what is happening in the broader industry your desired workplace falls under. And if the information is available, try to understand where the role and function sits in the employer's wider strategy.
Swinton adds that all too often, candidates focus on preparing highly specific questions. If you ask these same questions in interviews for different roles, you run the risk of sounding rigid or like you're box-ticking.
'Instead, I'd recommend doing enough research that you're able to have a curious, intelligent conversation,' she says.
Make sure you say something, as asking no questions at all is generally a poor look.
'If you understand the company's story – historical business performance, background of the current executive team, changes to legislation that will impact the business model or shake up the industry – you can ask tailored questions in real time, shaped by the actual flow of the discussion.'
A candidate's level of seniority should also be considered when developing questions. For more senior candidates, 'any questions relating to governance or operational efficiencies are typically looked upon favourably'.