Key Questions to Ask in Your Next Job Interview

This article is crossposted from IEEE Spectrum’s careers newsletter. Sign up now to get insider tips, expert advice, and practical strategies, written in partnership with tech career development company Taro and delivered to your inbox for free!Don’t squander the reverse interviewAt the end of every job interview, you will get asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”There is only one correct answer here: yes! You absolutely should have questions for the interviewer, for two reasons: You gain valuable insights about life at the company.It signals that you are a curious and thoughtful job seeker. But not all questions are created equal. Here’s what to keep in mind for the 5 to 10 minute reverse interview at the end of each job interview. First, what not to do: Don’t ask about the interviewer’s favorite flavor of coffee in the microkitchen—at least not as your first question! Your questions should demonstrate a thoughtful consideration of the job’s responsibilities, rather than a frivolous detail about a perk.The best question reveals an understanding of the company’s future, your future, and how those two paths could mutually benefit each other. Some examples: Mentioning a concern or idea you had based on a recent launch the company had, and asking if the company has considered it.Sharing a specific characteristic about your working style, and asking how it could benefit the team or your career at the company.A template for good interviewer questions doesn’t exist because the questions are inherently unique to the company, your role, and your background. However, here are some general ideas for inspiration: “What is the biggest challenge facing the company in the next 6 months?” By asking about problems, you show that you care about the company and its future. You want to bring your experience to overcome these challenges.“What’s the best thing that you have learned at this company?” This is a much better version of the “favorite coffee” question. You can and should ask the interviewer about their lived experience, but with a focus on growth: How can the company help you learn and grow as an engineer?—RahulFor This Engineer, Taking Deep Dives is Part of the JobLevi Unema doesn’t work in a typical office setting. Rather, the engineer spends weeks at a time in the open ocean, maintaining and piloting remotely operated vehicles aboard ships exploring the seas. But, when he first started his engineering career, Unema didn’t think he would work on underwater robotics—until his high-school science teacher gave him an unexpected call. Read more here.The 10 Most In-demand U.K. Tech Careers of 2026The United Kingdom’s technology sector is the largest in Europe. But what roles will define the U.K. tech workforce in 2026? The London School of Economics and Political Science ranked the 10 most in-demand jobs, noting the demand, job satisfaction, and salary for each role. One key takeaway: “By 2026, the most sought-after professionals will combine AI literacy and data analytics with human problem-solving, working confidently alongside intelligent systems.”Read more here. Two New AI Ethics Certifications Available from IEEEAI tools and autonomous intelligent systems are now being used by nearly every organization. Despite the benefits, they also bring risks. To help AI developers and companies ensure systems are trustworthy and ethically sound, the IEEE Standards Association just launched an ethics program offering two certifications: one for individuals and one for products. Read more here.