Questions to Ask in Interviews
About Preparing Interview Questions to Ask
Ever draw a blank when an interviewer asked, "Any questions?" If so
and you didn't land the job, it might have been because your interviewer expected
you to ask interview questions, but you didn't.
Preparing interview questions to ask shows that you've done your homework and
are interested in the job; not preparing can indicate one more among indifference,
disorganization and lack of professionalism.
In fact, interviewers might be more impressed with your questions than your
answers. Still, it's a professional courtesy to withhold the bulk of your questions
until your interviewer asks if you have any. Interviewers typically will ask
toward the end of an interview or near the conclusion of each phase.
Of course, it's okay to ask a few questions to clarify matters, steer topics
and such, as your interview progresses; for example, a question such as,
"What does the ideal candidate bring to this job?" would be appropriate
early in your interview. But wait until it's "your turn" before you
fire off a barrage.
On the other hand, if your interviewer seems to be reaching for questions to
ask you, it might be your opportunity to take control of your interview, by tactfully
placing the interviewer in the position of answering your questions instead of
the other way around. If your interviewer had plenty of questions, but your interview
seems to be drawing to a close before the interviewer asks if you have questions,
then ask if it's okay to ask.
Regardless, avoid asking interview questions just to impress your interviewer
or asking frivolous questions just to have some "interview questions to
ask". If you don't have any of significance to ask, instead of stating only
that you don't have any, also thank your interviewer for doing such a thorough
job of anticipating your questions.
Also avoid asking interview questions that might reveal more about you than
the job. For example, if you ask the interview question
"What happens if I fail to meet a project deadline?" it has underlying
implications, such as "I've often irresponsibly missed project deadlines."
Unless your interviewer mentions the topics first, it's not a good idea to ask
interview questions about salary or wages, vacation,
sick days, lunch breaks and so on, right off the bat. Granted, they're part of
the whole employment picture. But from an interviewer's point of view, asking
such questions too early in the interview game might indicate that your priorities
are in the wrong order.
First, tell your interviewer what you can do for the company by answering his
or her questions, then ask interview questions about what the company can do
for you; better yet, wait until you're reasonably sure that you have the job
offer in your pocket.
It's okay to create a "crib sheet" of interview questions to ask beforehand
and then refer to them during interviews. In this case, it's not cheating; rather
it'll show that you're organized and interested enough in the job, to have prepared
in advance.
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