Interview Questions to Ask a Technical Lead

99% of candidates miss their chance to stand out. But you don't have to. After thousands of hours interviewing and hiring, I've noticed that many candidates don't ask the meaningful questions that could set them apart. If you want to stand out in your next interview, ask these 6 questions to get deeper insights and show you're thinking beyond the basics: ❌ "What does a typical day look like?" ✅ "What are the most important challenges you're facing right now? How can I help address them?" WHY: This shows you think like a problem-solver, eager to contribute from day one. It positions you as proactive and aligned with the company's immediate needs. ❌ "Can you tell me about the team?" ✅ "What are the strengths of the team? Where do you see growth opportunities?" WHY: This highlights that you're focused on what's working and where you can add value. It shows a collaborative mindset and a desire to help the team grow. ❌ "How will success be measured in this role?" ✅ "Can you give examples of how someone exceeded expectations in this role and what impact that had on the business?" WHY: This shows you're curious about high performance and its impact. It gives you a clearer picture of what it takes to excel in the role. ❌ "What's your management style?" ✅ "How do leaders here support their teams in overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals?" WHY: This signals that you value strong leadership and want to know how you'll be supported. It also helps you gauge if the leadership style aligns with how you perform best. ❌ "What are opportunities for advancement?" ✅ "What do successful career paths look like for people who have excelled in this role?" WHY: This shows you're thinking long-term and are serious about growing with the company. It also gives insight into advancement opportunities based on merit and contribution. ❌ "What are you looking for in the ideal candidate?" ✅ "If I were to get the role, what would need to happen in the first 6 months for you to say hiring me was the best decision you made?" WHY: This shows you're focused on delivering value and already thinking about making an immediate impact. It also clarifies performance expectations and success metrics. These questions aren't just conversation starters—they give you key insights into the role, the team, and the company's culture. Plus, they show you're serious about finding the right fit. 💬 What questions do you wish you'd asked in an interview? 

Someone asked me last week - "What's the single greatest career boosting move you could make? Well...here's how I'd answer that ↓ "Work for a manager who believes in you and is willing to push for your success in rooms where you aren't present." I had a boss like that in 2012, who helped me land my first Manager job at the age of 25. In 2016, who pushed for me to join development programs which led to a Sr-level promotion. And again in 2020, someone who believed in me enough to help me transition into the tech industry. You need people. Even when you're doing everything else RIGHT. That being said, my tips for the day are all about spotting great leaders during an interview. Many companies talk about “great culture” but the real difference-maker is your boss. Here are 5 questions to ask a potential manager in the interview that reveal the kind of leader they are: 1 - "Can you share a time when someone on your team failed—and how you handled it?" → Great leaders use failure as a growth opportunity, not a weapon. 2 - "How do you support your team’s career development?" → Listen for specific actions, not vague sentiments. Mentorship, stretch assignments, or internal advocacy are green flags. 3 - "When was the last time you received constructive feedback from your team?" → Self-awareness and openness to feedback are signs of a secure, growth-minded leader. 4 - "How do you typically run 1:1s with your direct reports?" → You want consistency, personalization, and a focus on removing roadblocks—not just status updates. 5 - "What do your top performers say about your leadership?" → This flips the script. A confident leader should be able to reflect on their impact. What questions did I miss? What have you used to spot a fantastic boss?

Hiring managers remember the questions you ask. 8 questions that show you're serious about the role: ➤ "What would success look like in this role in the first 6 months?" - Shows you're focused on delivering value - Sets clear expectations from day one - Demonstrates immediate impact planning ➤ "Could you share more about the team's biggest challenge right now, and how this role would help address it?" - Demonstrates proactive problem-solving mindset - Shows your interest in making an impact - Reveals your solution-oriented approach to problems ➤ "How does this team's work align with the company's 5-year vision?" - Shows strategic thinking - Signals long-term commitment - Demonstrates big-picture understanding ➤ "Can you tell me more about the team's decision-making process for major projects?" - Reveals interest in team dynamics - Shows you're thinking about collaboration - Helps you understand team structure ➤ "What professional development opportunities are available for someone in this role?" - Demonstrates ambition - Shows commitment to growing within the company - Reveals your dedication to continuous learning ➤ "Could you share an example of how constructive feedback is typically delivered within the team?" - Shows emotional intelligence - Highlights interest in team communication - Demonstrates maturity in handling feedback ➤ "How might [recent company announcement/initiative] impact this team's priorities?" - Shows you've done your research - These questions are better than standard questions - Positions you as someone who thinks about business context (Example: "How might the recent expansion into the EMEA market affect this team's product roadmap?") ➤ "What are the next steps in the interview process and what timeline do you anticipate?" - Always ask if it’s not mentioned - Ensures clear follow-up expectations - Gives you an idea on when to send a follow-up email if you haven’t heard back The questions you ask can be just as impactful as the answers you give. Save this post for your next second interview! What questions would you add to this list?  Share below! 👇