Always ask these 4 questions when you’re interviewing for a job, says ex-Google recruiter

A company’s north star sums up its goals and mission.

The question gives you a sense of whether or not the people interviewing you “actually have clarity on what matters,” he says. Do they know what they want or are they just aimlessly working toward some nebulous idea of success? The latter would make it tough to know what to prioritize yourself.

It also gives you a sense of how aligned the various people interviewing you are. “If everyone can’t tell me the same answer here,” he says, “red flag.” It means your priorities could differ depending on the stakeholder, and it will be very hard to satisfy people across the board.

If the company is clear on where it’s going and everyone agrees, the question helps you figure out if you’re “actually excited about solving the problems associated with that north star,” he says. If not, maybe the job isn’t for you.

This kind of question “gives you insight to what the company values,” says Church.

You know your own strengths and values as a worker. If the common trait of top performers is their ability to work fast, and you’re a person who prefers to have a bit more time with your assignments to ensure you nail every detail, maybe this company’s not a great fit for you.

If, however, it’s a trait you possess, it’s a sign that the company could be right for you. Asking this question also gives the interviewer a signal that you’d like to learn how to be a top performer.

Questions like, “what’s the company culture?” can be vague, says Church. These questions likely won’t give you a detailed sense of what the vibe is like on the inside.

But if you ask about the one thing people love most, “you will get a very specific answer,” he says. “And that specificity will lead to insights.” Most importantly, if you connect with what people say they love about the company, it could very well be a place you, too, would enjoy working.