The 30 second answer
Ask what you need to plan the next stages. Which rounds follow, in what order and how long? Is there an online coding test, and which languages are allowed? Which level is the role planned at? Who is the hiring manager, and what does success look like in the first months? What relocation support is offered? One or two questions about the team's current challenges show interest.
Reported. The 2023 post says the first call "is the time for your general questions about the company", and candidates report that recruiters explain the next steps.
Questions (Inferred, pick four or five).
- Which rounds come next, in what order, and how long is each?
- Is there an online coding assessment for this role, and can I use Java or another language I choose?
- Is the live coding in a shared editor or on a real codebase, and will I get preparation material?
- Which level is the role planned at, and how is the level decided?
- Who is the hiring manager, and what would success look like after six and twelve months?
- What relocation support is offered, and when does it start?
- What is the team working on this year, for example a migration, a peak-traffic event or a new retrieval system?
Why it matters. Process questions let you prepare for the right rounds; level and success questions surface mismatches early, before the final round.