20 Unique Interview Questions to Ask Employer to Be Memorable (+Questions to Avoid)

What's the point of preparing unique interview questions to ask an employer? Well, the standard questions about your day-to-day duties and company policies help you understand the basics. But why be basic when you can be so much more?

Think about it this way: basic questions call for basic answers. On the other hand, unique questions can help you uncover details about the employer and the job position that generic ones simply can't. 

So yes, asking questions is key, but asking unique questions? Now, that’s the secret ingredient that makes your job interview truly memorable!

Wondering how to prepare yours? In that case, keep reading our article and learn: 

• Why it’s important to ask questions in an Interview;
• How to prepare your unique questions;
• 20 Unique questions to ask employer;
• And our tips on how to pass job interviews with flying colors.

Why ask unique questions in a job interview

Let's imagine you're in a job interview, and everything's going smoothly. And then, the interviewer asks if you have any questions.

Instead of seeing this as a challenge, try to look at it as your golden opportunity to shine.

Because these are the top 5 reasons why asking unique questions can truly elevate your interview game:

• Learn more about your potential workplace. Firstly, you need to realize that job interviews are a two-way street. Of course, the employer and hiring manager are there to grill you with questions. But it’s also your chance to flip the script and see what skeletons are hiding in their closet. 
• Show genuine interest. Secondly, asking unique questions shows that you've done your homework. Show them that you’re not just winging it with questions you found on a quick Google search (cough). But, that you've put a real effort into getting to know more.
• Demonstrate your critical thinking. Thirdly, you can take this as an opportunity to show off your soft skills. Remember the critical thinking and problem-solving skills you've included in your resume? Well, put them into practice! Because the ability to ask the right questions is a great way to prove that you have both.
• Get the interviewer on your side. Interviewers get bored answering the same old questions over and over again. But your unique questions can shake things up and make the conversation more interesting for them too. As a result, this can help you build a stronger connection with the interviewer.
• Stand out from the other job candidates. And finally, asking unique questions is one of the best ways to leave a lasting impression. Because when you ask unique, thoughtful questions, you show that you're not just another applicant — but someone who goes the extra mile.

How to prepare unique interview questions to ask employer in 5 steps

Yes, we know — job interviews can sometimes feel like real pressure cookers. And the need to ask unique questions certainly doesn't make it any easier.  

And that's exactly why we've prepared this simple guide for you — to alleviate some of that pressure and give you something solid to work with.

20 Unique interview questions to ask employer

And now we're getting to the good part!

In case you need a bit of help preparing your questions, feel free to draw inspiration from the following:

Questions about company culture

Company culture can significantly impact your job satisfaction and overall happiness at work. 

Besides, understanding the culture helps you figure out if you’ll fit in and thrive there. It can also reveal how the company treats and values its employees.

1. Can you describe a time when the company had to adapt to a significant change? How was it handled?
2. What are some company traditions or events that employees look forward to each year?
3. Can you tell me about a recent team project that you’re particularly proud of and explain why it was successful?
4. How does the company celebrate employee achievements and milestones?
5. Can you describe a time when the company made a significant change based on employee feedback?

Questions about the role

Another topic of discussion you shouldn’t miss is the job position itself. 

So, try to gauge things like performance expectations, how you can contribute to the company’s success, and whether the position aligns with your skills and career goals.

1. Reflecting on those who have held this position before, what made the difference between the ones who were good and those who were really great at the job?
2. What’s one thing you’re hoping a new person can bring to the role?
3. Can you tell me about a challenging project someone in this role recently tackled and how they approached it?
4. How does this role contribute to the company’s overall goals and mission?
5. How has this role evolved over the past few years, and how do you see it changing in the future?

Questions about the team

Chatting about the team and their dynamics during a job interview is a must!

After all, it will help you understand how the team operates, what their collaboration style is like, and whether you'll fit in. 

1. What are the backgrounds and expertise of the team members?
2. Can you tell me about the team's working style and how they collaborate on projects?
3. What are some of the team’s proudest accomplishments?
4. How does the team support work? Especially during remote work or challenging times?
5. How are team members encouraged to bring new ideas to the table?

Questions about leadership and management

A quick question — what's worse than an annoying colleague? Our bets are on a terrible boss!

Questions about leadership and management can give you a peek into how the company operates and how leaders engage with their teams. 

1. How does the leadership team set and communicate the company's goals and vision to the employees?
2. What qualities does the leadership team admire most in their employees? And how do they recognize them?
3. How do leaders here balance the need for results with employee well-being?
4. How do leaders in the company stay approachable and in touch with all levels of employees?
5. What is one quality or action of your team leader that has impressed you the most? (Careful! Only ask this question if the person interviewing you is a member of your future team. And only if they're not the team leader .. obviously.)

Unique interview questions you should AVOID asking

We've already underlined the importance of unique questions in making you stand out from the competition. 

But be careful not to stand out for the wrong reasons! In other words, don't make your unique questions … well, too unique. 

Because the last thing you want to achieve is making the interviewer question their own career choices. 

So, let's dive into some "unique" questions you should absolutely avoid asking (unless you're fine with being a walking red flag):

• Don't ask about salary or benefits too early. Yes, money matters. But asking about it too early in the interview process is like diving into dessert before the main course. It sends the message that you're more interested in the paycheck than the job itself. The golden rule is: don't discuss your salary expectations unless invited to by the interviewer!
• Avoid irrelevant and inappropriate questions. And please, please, don't try to be forcefully funny! In their quest for uniqueness, people sometimes think that it's a good idea to blurt out “quirky” questions. For example: “If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” Cringe! Well, worse than cringe really — it’s off-topic and weird. 
• Don't ask questions that would make the interviewer uncomfortable. Keep in mind that interviews are professional settings. So, have some respect! Because asking personal questions can make the interviewer feel like you're overstepping boundaries. You're a professional, remember? 
• Ditch questions with obvious answers. Because asking about information that's available online is a waste of time. Plus, it can make you seem unprepared, careless, or indifferent. And it doesn't do any wonders for your supposed attention to detail either. 

Just so you have an idea what we're talking about there, consider these “unique” questions: 

• Can you tell me about the salaries within the team?
• What’s the company’s stance on aliens and UFOs?
• What's your opinion on officer romance? Any chance? 
• How long has the company been around?

5 (Unique) tips for acing your job interview

Surely, you're well aware of the basics such as: bring printed versions of your resume, put your phone on mute, and spit out that chewing gum before entering the room. 

But have you heard about these 5 psychological tips:

• Maintain eye contact to seem more intelligent. Yes, a strong eye contact isn't just a sign of confidence! A study by Murphy, Hall, and Colvin proved that people who can keep a consistent eye contact while speaking with others come across as more intelligent. But remember to blink! 
• Boost our confidence by recalling a time when you felt powerful. Another hack worth trying is thinking back on a situation where you held power over other people. A study by Columbia University suggests that this tactic may help you channel your confidence and use that energy in a job interview. 
• Visualize your success before you enter the interview room. Similarly, Psychology Today recommends trying something called “optimistic visualization”. In summary, imagining yourself succeeding in the upcoming interview calms your anxiety and boosts your self-belief. 
• Mirror the interviewer's body language to make them like you more. This is also known as the “chameleon effect”. Basically, we feel more positive emotions towards people who mirror our body language. So, when the interviewer leans forward, consider doing the same. But once again, don't overdo it!
• Dress for the job you want. Finally, you should choose your clothes based on the type of job you're applying for. For example, big corporations and companies with long traditions tend to be more conservative (formal style and neutral colors). On the other hand, startups and small businesses generally value individuality and creativity. So bring out your statement glasses! 

Key takeaways: Unique interview questions to ask employer

All in all, there's a good reason why you should try making your questions unique. Well, several reasons really. For example: 

• getting more honest answers, 
• showing genuine interest in the role, 
• demonstrating your critical thinking, 
• learning more about your potential workplace, 
• getting the interviewer to like you better, 
• and making yourself stand out from the other job candidates. 

To learn valuable insights about the company culture, job position, your future team, and leadership and management methods, consider these unique interview questions to ask employer:

• How does the company celebrate employee achievements and milestones?
• Reflecting on those who have held this position before, what made the difference between the ones who were good and those who were really great at the job?
• How are team members encouraged to bring new ideas to the table?
• What qualities does the leadership team admire most in their employees? And how do they recognize them? 

And while you're here, why not take this opportunity to learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions? For instance, you can zoom in on the following:

• What is your greatest weakness?
• Tell us about yourself? 
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why should we hire you?