We’ve all been there. The interview for that job we desperately want has gone well – so far. We feel good about our answers, but then comes that dreaded moment. Near the end of the interview, the tables are turned and the interviewer asks: “Now, what questions do you have for me?”

We know it’s coming, yet many are still unprepared for it. They either decline to ask questions, ask questions off the top of their head, or ask questions that can cause the interviewer to wonder whether they would be a good fit.

Honestly, as an interviewer, I often learned as much about the strength of the applicant by the questions they asked as by the answers they gave to my questions.

So, what should we ask? First, it is important to know that there are plenty of resources to help you prepare for that pivotal moment in the interview. I find that the editors at the career site themuse.com offer several great points of advice that will serve you well, no matter what type of job you’re seeking, including these top tips:

• “Don’t say you have no questions. You probably already know that, whether you’re stressed or relaxed, whether you think you’ve fumbled the conversation badly or you’ve got this job in the bag, the worst thing you could say is, ‘Nope, I’m good.’
• “Be flexible. It’s OK (and encouraged) to jot down a few questions ahead of your interview, but don’t be afraid to deviate from the list if your questions have already been answered and/or if your discussion prompts a few more questions you’d like answered. Plus, you don’t want to sound like you’re reading the questions off some sort of internet list rather than having a real conversation.
• “Ask at least a few specific questions. Show you’re invested and you’ve been paying attention throughout the interview process by customizing your questions to the specific position and company – and reminding your interviewers of the background knowledge and experience you bring to the role.
• “Don’t just ask questions at the end. Interviews work best when they’re a conversation, so don’t be afraid to pose questions when it makes sense throughout the conversation.
• “Ask questions you really want to know the answers to. Don’t only ask questions you think will impress your interviewer. With a few exceptions . . . this is your chance to ask about the topics you’re really curious about – and will affect whether you even want the job. Maybe a project that really excited you when you read the job description hasn’t come up during the interview. Perhaps it’s not clear to you what the job actually entails, and you want to ask what a typical day looks like.”

Asking questions can emphasize your knowledge and the experience that you would bring to the role, themuse.com points out.So, what should those questions be for an internal audit interview? Concerns and priorities may vary, but here are a few questions that I would ask if interviewing for a job in internal audit (for simplicity, I am assuming the interviewer is the chief audit executive):

1. “Where does internal audit report functionally and administratively, and how would you describe the relationship with each?” This may not seem like an important question for a prospective staff member, but it goes to the heart of internal audit’s independence, and the response will offer insight into the culture of the organization. As I shared in my first book, I left an internal audit department early in my career because the CAE reported to the CFO and was afraid to rock the boat. I grew weary of my audit reports being delayed or buried indefinitely because internal audit wasn’t independent, and that my CAE lacked courage.
2. “Will I have an opportunity to audit diverse risks in the organization?” One of the things that attracted me to internal audit was the diversity of assignments. I would have never worked in an internal audit department where I was expected to audit only financial controls or procurement processes. Granted, this is a delicate question, and you don’t want to come off sounding demanding or inflexible. That’s why I would suggest phrasing the question to accentuate one of your strengths: “I enjoy the challenge and growth from auditing a variety of risks. Will I have the opportunity to do that in this role?”

3. “Does internal audit provide assurance and advice?” This question will help gauge growth opportunities in the position. Assurance is an important role for internal audit, but providing advice enables a focus on the future – not just the past. Your initial assignment may be as a member of an assurance engagement team, but if that is all you will ever do in this internal audit department, you should know it now.
4. “How is internal audit currently using technology to enable the audit process, and how do you think that will change in the next three years?” The answer to this question will signal how agile/progressive the internal audit function is. But before you ask it, make sure you have a conversational knowledge of technology solutions employed by leading internal audit functions. The interviewer might try to test that knowledge. Ensure you are familiar with the features of leading audit management systems and data analytics solutions, and  the value that cloud-based GRC platforms bring to organizations – particularly when it comes to risk management.  
5. “If you could further improve the perception of internal audit in the organization, what would you most like to change? This might make the conversation a little uncomfortable, but a strong CAE will readily acknowledge opportunities internal audit has to enhance its stature. In most interviews, you will likely be asked about the one thing you would like to change about yourself. This is your opportunity to flip the dialogue.

There are myriad questions to pose in response to the “what questions do you have for me?” moment. This is a chance to impress the interviewer and also to gain important insight into potential opportunities awaiting you.

As I mentioned, there are a multitude of online resources that can help you prepare for an interview, including themuse.com’s “57 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview in 2023” where I pulled the top tips above, and indeed.com’s “35 of the Best Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview.” Of course, asking too many questions, or questions that are extremely tactical, can weaken the interviewer’s enthusiasm for you.

The bottom line: Do your homework and remember that you get only one chance to make a first impression.

I hope you find my suggestions helpful. Share your comments on LinkedIn or Twitter, or drop me a note at blogs@richardchambers.com.