Questions to Ask an Interviewer That Help You Stand Out

The interview is going well, and then the interviewer says, "So, do you have any questions for us?" Your mind goes blank, and you end up asking about the dress code or saying "No, I think you covered everything." Good questions to ask an interviewer are one of the easiest ways to stand out in an internship or graduate interview, and most candidates waste the chance.

I have sat on both sides of internship panels, and the last five minutes often decide who goes to the next round when two candidates are otherwise close. This guide gives you questions that work, explains why they work, and shows how to pick the right two or three on the day.

Why the questions you ask matter so much

By the end of an interview, the panel has a decent idea of your skills. What they are still unsure about is if you actually want this role, and if you think like someone who would do well in it. Your questions answer both.

A candidate who asks "What would success look like in the first three months?" is already picturing themselves in the job. A candidate who asks "How many days of holiday do interns get?" is picturing themselves out of it. Both are fair things to want to know, but only one belongs in the interview itself.

The best questions to ask an interviewer, by type

Questions about the work

"What would a typical week look like for an intern on this team?"
"What is one project a previous intern worked on that you were pleased with?"
"What would you want me to have learned by the end of the internship?"

These show you care about doing the job, not just getting it. The second one is especially useful, because the answer tells you whether interns do real work or mostly admin.

Questions about success

"What separates an intern who does well here from one who just does fine?"
"What would success look like at the end of the first month?"
"Where do new starters usually struggle?"

Interviewers tend to remember candidates who ask about success, because it signals ambition without sounding arrogant. You also get practical information you can use from day one.

Questions about the team and the person

"How does the team usually share feedback with interns?"
"What do you enjoy most about working here?"
"How has the team changed in the last year?"

People like talking about their own experience. Asking an interviewer what they enjoy often turns the last few minutes into a real conversation, which leaves a warmer impression than a formal exchange.

Questions about next steps

"What are the next steps in the process, and when should I expect to hear back?"
"Is there anything from today you would like me to expand on?"

The second question takes a little courage, but it gives you one more chance to fix a weak answer before you leave.

How to choose which questions to ask

Prepare five or six questions in advance and plan to ask two or three. Some will get answered during the interview, so you need spares. A simple way to choose on the day:

Cross off anything already covered. Asking about something they explained ten minutes ago shows you were not listening.
Pick one question about the work and one about success. These are the strongest pair for most internships.
If time allows, add one about the interviewer or the team.
Always finish with next steps, so you leave knowing the timeline.

Write your list in a notebook and bring it in. Glancing at notes when it is your turn to ask is completely normal and looks organised. In a video interview, keep them on a sticky note beside the camera; our guide on preparing for a virtual internship interview covers setup in more detail.

Questions to avoid in the interview itself

Avoid asking	Why	Ask this instead
"What does the company do?"	Shows no research	"I read about your new client project. How would interns support it?"
"How much holiday do I get?"	Focuses on time off	Save it for the offer stage
"Did I get the job?"	Puts the panel on the spot	"What are the next steps?"
"Can I work from home every day?"	Sounds like a condition	"How does the team split office and remote work?"

Pay, hours and holiday are all legitimate topics. They just fit better once an offer is on the table, when you have far more bargaining power.

Skip the "clever" questions you found online

Plenty of career advice recommends dramatic closing lines such as "Is there any reason you would not hire me?" or "What is the biggest weakness of this company?" The idea is that they make you look bold. In my experience, they mostly make the panel uncomfortable.

The first question forces the interviewer to criticise you to your face, which most people will avoid, so you get a vague answer and an awkward pause. The second can sound like you are hunting for flaws. For a first or second job, warm and specific beats bold and clever. A question that shows you read their website, listened during the interview and want to do the work well is worth more than any trick line.

If you want something that does the same job as "Is there any reason you would not hire me?" without the awkwardness, use the softer version above: "Is there anything from today you would like me to expand on?"

Practise them out loud

Questions that sound natural in your head can come out stiff. Say your top three out loud twice the evening before, ideally to a friend. Then practise your answers to common openers too, such as "Tell me about yourself" in an internship interview, so the whole interview feels connected from start to finish. When the time comes, listen to the answers properly. A short follow up such as "That sounds interesting, how did that project go?" is often the best question of all.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

Two or three is the right number for most interviews. Fewer can look uninterested, while more than four can run past the time you were given. Prepare five or six so you still have options if some get answered earlier.

Is it bad to say I have no questions?

It is not a disaster, but it is a missed chance. Interviewers often read it as low interest in the role. If everything really was covered, say so briefly and then ask about next steps, so you still end on an engaged note.

Can I ask about salary in an internship interview?

If the pay is not listed and the internship is paid, it is reasonable to ask in a later round or by email to the recruiter. In a first interview, it is usually better to wait. Once you have an offer, you can discuss pay and dates openly.