The Insider Guide to Careers
Insider information, secrets and tips about getting hired and building careers. For employees and job candidates.
This employer question is the second most important question during an interview. The importance is driven by the fact that most interviewers remember the beginning and end well compared to the midsection. This question is also the most ignored by students and job seekers alike. The worst answer to give an interviewer is – “I do not have any questions.” Such an answer betrays not only the lackadaisical attitude of the applicant but also that the candidate has no interest in the company. In short, not asking questions signifies no passion for the job.
Try to ask at least 2-3 questions. You can always ask more if you have time. Most interviewers will give you some extra time to ask questions. This additional airtime can help you present the analytical and strategic side of your candidature in case you haven’t done that.
Safe questions:
You should always research the company beforehand and not ask plain vanilla questions. Some questions, though okay, are very generic.
Brilliant questions:
If you want to evaluate the company seriously, you must go beyond the sugar-coated fluff you hear when the hiring manager talks to you. You want to keep prodding the manager to give honest but tough insights about the challenges in that role.
Unique questions:
I recommend a unique approach to answering the question. You want to be a person who is more than just a cog to fit the vacancy. Instead, you want to be someone comfortable looking at the bigger picture and asking where the job fits into the bigger scheme of activities within the company.
Sample recommended unique questions are listed below:
Bad questions:
Some questions make little to no sense.
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