Questions to ask
These questions help you uncover real pay, schedule, overtime rules, and culture — before you commit.
Pay & salary
- What is the hourly rate / salary (gross and net if possible)?
- When is payday, and have there been delays in the past?
- How is overtime paid (weekday / evening / weekend / holidays)?
- Are there bonuses? What are the exact rules to earn them?
Template: “Could you confirm the rate, overtime rules, and pay date in writing?”
Schedule & workload
- How many hours per week are in the contract?
- What does a typical week look like (start/end times)?
- How far in advance are shifts scheduled?
- How are breaks handled (paid/unpaid, duration)?
Role & expectations
- What tasks are included — and what tasks are NOT included?
- How many people are in the team, and who is the direct manager?
- What does success look like in the first 30–90 days?
- Why is this position open (growth, replacement, turnover)?
Culture, safety & conflict
- How do you handle conflicts with managers or coworkers?
- Is there HR or a clear escalation process?
- What training is provided for safety and procedures?
- What is the most common reason people leave this role?