How to Prepare and Ask Good Questions

Now that you understand the importance of asking questions, let's look at how to prepare and formulate questions that will really work in your favor during the interview.

The key is to be strategic, show interest, and keep it conversational rather than interrogative.

Base questions on the previous conversation (active listening).

One of the most effective ways to ask questions is to connect to something the interviewer has said during the conversation.

This shows that you have been actively listening and that your interest is genuine, not scripted.

Example, "You mentioned earlier that the company is making inroads into Central America - can you tell me how you expect this position to support that expansion?"

This type of personalized question helps create a stronger connection.

Prepare a list (6-7 questions) in advance.

Don't improvise your questions. Prepare a list of 6 or 7 relevant questions before the interview.

Why so many? Because some of them are likely to be answered naturally during the conversation, and you need to have alternatives so that you are not left with nothing to ask at the end.

You can keep this list discreetly written down.

Avoid obvious or Google-answered questions (Demonstrate research).

Your questions should reflect that you have done your homework.

Avoid asking basic questions whose answer is easily found on the company's website or a quick Google search (e.g., "What does the company do?"). Doing so shows a lack of interest and preparation.

Instead, ask questions that show you already have a knowledge base and are looking to dig deeper.

Adapt to the interviewer's style (Rapport).

Observe the interviewer's communication style and subtly adapt your own. If he/she is a very direct and serious person, ask concise questions.

If he or she is more conversational and friendly, you can allow yourself a little more open-ended questions. This rapport helps create a better connection.

Use questions to highlight unspoken strengths

If you feel that during the interview you didn't have a chance to talk about a key strength or experience that is relevant to the position, you can ask a question that prom pts you to mention it.

Example: "I have seen that one of the challenges of the position is [mention challenge].

In my previous experience managing [similar situation], I found [your approach/skill] to be very effective. Do you think that approach would be useful here?".

This allows you to reintroduce your strengths naturally.

Types of questions to consider.

Here are some categories of smart questions you can prepare and adapt:

About the team: "What are the dynamics of the team you would work with like?", "Who would you work most closely with?".

About the challenges of the position: "