“Do you have any questions for me?” Why you should always say YES
Most of us enter into an interview preparing answers to potential questions we may be asked. And though that’s important, preparing questions of your own is also key to an interview (whether it’s for a job, an internship, or school admissions)
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You may feel as if the interview has covered everything you wanted to know and what your potential employers wanted to know...
But you should always ask questions, even if it’s just one.
Why?
Employers want to know that you were engaged throughout the interview, that you were taking in what they were saying and reciprocating that through your questions.
Your questions are a great indication that you’ve done some research on the company and the work that you will do for them.
Your questions show your interest in the position—that you want to know more about the company and how you can succeed if given the position.
An interview can seem daunting. It’s scary to think that the job you want rests on a 30-minute to 1-hour conversation. But look at it this way, the interview is also your chance to see if you want to work for that company as well. In other words, you too are interviewing your potential employers to see if the job is right for you.
An interview is your opportunity to learn more about the company and the role from a personal voice—someone who has an inside perspective to the company. It’s okay to ask the interview questions about their experiences at the company: what they like and what they don’t like about the job. That will give you a better picture of what you can expect if you get an offer and choose to accept it.
By asking questions you can:
Find out more about the time commitment and workflow of the job
Learn more about the company’s work culture
Meet some people you will work with and work for
Figure out if this job position will take you closer to the career you want
Here are some simple practices you can apply:
Research the company
What is their mission and core values?
Find out more about the job position and responsibilities
Is there something you want clarification on? Any extra information that you want to know that are not listed on the job posting?
Write down questions that pop into your head during the interview
If your interviewers say something that intrigues your interest, quickly write it down so you don’t forget to ask them at the end
Ask open-ended questions. Avoid “yes” or “no” questions.
Ask questions that you cannot find online or on their website. This is your chance to get an inside look at the company you’re applying to from a personal voice.
Example Questions
Questions about the role
What are the day-to-day responsibilities for this position?
What does a typical week look like for this role?
What are the expected work hours for this role?
How many people are on the team I’d be part of?
Is there anything I should know about this position that wasn’t included in the job listing?
Questions about the company or interviewer
What is the company culture like?
What are the company’s goals for the next year?
What is your favorite and/or least favorite part about working at the company?
What qualities do your most successful employees have?
What projects is the company currently working on?
Questions about you
Do you have any concerns about my candidacy?
Do feel I’m lacking in a particular area or skill set?
Do you think I am missing any qualifications needed for this position?
What additional skills do you recommend to ensure my success in this role?
What areas in my skills do you see room for growth in?
If after the interview you end up not wanting the job as much as you thought you would, that’s okay! Be grateful you got the chance to ask your questions to find out more about the company and if it’s right for you. Your future employers want to find someone who will be a good fit for them, and who they will be a good fit for. That’s why they give you the time to ask questions and the space to learn more about them. They care just as much about how you want to grow as well as how you can help the company grow.
Committing to a job position is a big deal, so ask your questions! It will help guide you through the process.
