Planning to be interviewed? Prepare your list of questions!
If you think that your question should be here — send a PR.
- Is the company profitable?
- Does it live from investments?
- If yes, for how long will they last?
- Are new rounds planned?
- Will there be shares for the employees?
- How are they vested?
- What’s the business roadmap, plan and vision?
The interviewer must possess clear and non-contradictory understanding of what the employee should and shouldn’t do, and how to measure their performance.
Some companies have absolutely ridiculous multi-tier interview process, you should find it out in advance and decide if you’re tolerant enough to waste time on them.
The way how managers handle firing/leaving is showing the culture much more transparently than any words on how much the company values people.
It might also be a good idea to ask for one of the leavers contacts and ask them how it all went.
It’s always good to know what’s unacceptable.
If people leave a lot, more questions are to be asked.
Anyway, ask if the interviewer is satisfied with the current status quo and if not, what they are doing to improve the situation.
Good companies try to make sure employees work as long and productive as possible.
A company growing really quickly has a very distinctive atmosphere compared to stable ones. You need to make sure you need it (exponential growth never comes along with improving quality, see Amdahl's law).
It's better to find out how complicated the org structure is.
Refs to read:
- Red Queen principle (more oftenly cited as Peter's principle)
- Conway's law
Will you be required to travel? How often?
What are the rules of travel expenses reimbursement?
Who will be my mentor?
It should be obvious that the company is interested in getting you to a full speed, so it should be a red flag if you’re just given code in a “go figure for yourself” way.
Are you sure you want to "compete"?
The answer to this one might reveal something that wouldn't have been discussed otherwise.
How long will probation period last and what do I need to do during the probation period?
What’s listed there? Why?
What's the process? Are there performance reviews or any other mechanism like personal growth plan?
What is considered to be worthy of a bonus? Who decides on them?
How often does it get updated?
If work is remote, how is equipment purchase arranged?
How are hours tracked?
Are there any night shifts? How are they paid for?
KPIs? OKRs? Any other dysfuntional way?
How many days a year can I have vacations?
Do I need to provide any documents proving my sickness?
How are they designed?
Some companies blindly adopt scrum or any other rigid non-agile process
Some companies have PCI DSS or other requirements like working through VPN with some resources blocked.
If you’re offered an office job, is there BYOD politics?
How often do they happen on average?
When was the last time when employees had to work extra time? Why did this happen?
What measures do you take to prevent overtimes?
Do employees need to apply for educational budget? Or do managers do their work and propose and encourage?